FA Youth Cup

Norwich City 0

Leeds United 2 (Wilson 4’, Toulson 55’)

Norwich: Ansen (GK), Pinyoun, Sambai-Hurst (Sealey 58’), Doy (C), Renecke, Djedje, Chilvers (Owen 58’), Bracking, Mundle-Smith, Forsyth, Myles. Subs not used: Bullen, Ofori-Manteaw, Daley, Keita. 

Leeds: Mahady (GK), Richards, Bird, Chadwick, Toulson (C), Cresswell, McFadden (Pickles 90’), Crew, Wilson, Brown (Pirie 68’), McDonald (Lane 74’). Subs not used: Grainger (GK), Billett, Firth, Render. 

Referee: Nathan Oakes

Booked: Simbai-Hurst, Forsyth, Mundle-Smith (Norwich) Wilson, McFadden, Crew, Richards (Leeds) 

Sent-off: Wilson (Leeds)

Venue: Carrow Road

Attendance: 587

Leeds United Under-18s entered the FA Youth Cup in the third round of the competition, travelling away from home to take on Norwich City.

A controlled and professional performance throughout saw Rob Etherington’s side progress to the next round, after goals from Marley Wilson and Dan Toulson sealed a 2-0 victory. 

The Canaries also entered into the cup at this stage and would host the Whites at Carrow Road, just three weeks after the teams had met in a Premier League Cup clash at Thorp Arch, which ended in a 3-3 draw. 

When the game started, Leeds burst into the lead after just four minutes had been played in East Anglia. A classy ball forward from Charlie Crew split the home defence and found Max McFadden.

From inside the box, the winger delicately touched the ball down behind him, laying it off perfectly for Wilson to run onto and smash into the bottom corner and continue his recent fine form. 

Etherington’s side kept up the early pressure and continued to run at the Norwich backline. McFadden and Josh McDonald on each wing were causing problems, whilst Crew continued to dictate from midfield. 

A first chance of the game came for Norwich on 24 minutes. From a corner, Miles Bracking was well placed and free inside the box, only to power his header well over the bar. 

The teams then exchanged efforts, with Coban Bird being denied for Leeds with a good block from the home defence, before at the other end, Elliot Myles cut inside and curled over the bar. 

Referee Nathan Oakes had to brandish three yellow cards towards the end of the half, with Marley Wilson booked for Leeds, along with Kingston Simbai-Hurst and Gabriel Forsyth for the Yellows.

The first 45 minutes at Carrow Road was brought to a close with the Whites a goal ahead going into the dressing room.  

HALF TIME: Norwich City 0-1 Leeds United

Our for the second half in Norfolk, each team remained unchanged. Norwich began on the front foot and had an early opening through Miles Bracking, but Rory Mahady saved well from the effort. 

Leeds were then back in the ascendency and nearly doubled the lead. A goalmouth scramble saw the ball fall for Alfie Cresswell who struck at goal, but Caleb Ansen in the home goal tipped his effort onto the bar.

Shortly after though from the next attack, the Whites were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous crossing position. McFadden whipped it in superbly and that saw captain Dan Toulson flick the ball home at the back post to double the lead!

Recently introduced off the bench following the second goal, La’Sean Sealey was straight into the action and forced Mahady into two excellent saves, with the ‘keeper making himself big to deny the substitute on both occasions. 

In what was becoming an end-to-end game, further big chances came. Wilson came close to making it three with a stunning over-head kick attempt which was saved, before Mahady made another impressive stop at the other end to deny Myles again. 

Entering the final 10 minutes and it was Leeds who were still on top. Chances came again as the impressive Crew tricked his way into the box before Ansen made a good stop to deny him. Shortly after, it was McFadden who was next to force a save from the Norwich ‘keeper.

As stoppage time approached, the many cards that had been given out, meant there was a red. After having such a good game, it was Wilson who received a second yellow in the final moments and the striker was dismissed. 

A player down, but with a two-goal advantage, Leeds were calm in the remaining moments of the game to hold onto the lead until the final whistle, and sealed their progression into the next round under the light of Carrow Road.  

FULL TIME: Norwich City 0-2 Leeds United