U18 Premier League North

Leeds United U18 1 (Gray 75’)

Everton U18 4 (Ebere 32’, 60’, 65’; Beaumont-Clark 49’)

Leeds: Baird (GK), Richards, Billett, Creswell (C), Dudley (Morris 77’), Pickles, Simo, Pirie (McDonald 61’), Brown (Lane 61’), Vincent (Render 61’), Gray. Subs not used: Grainger (GK)

Everton: Pickford (GK), Samuels-Smith (Van Schoor 67’), Thomas, Davis, Finney (Lambert 71’), Bates, Patterson (Gardner 71’), Foster, Ebere (Catesby 67’), Sherif, Beaumont-Clark.

Venue: Thorp Arch

Referee: Paul Roots

Leeds United Under-18s were beaten by Everton at Thorp Arch on Saturday afternoon, after a Cody Ebere hat-trick all but sealed the three points for the visitors.

It was the Toffees who started the game the brighter of the two, as they struck the woodwork inside the opening five minutes. The ball was switched out to Jacob Beaumont-Clark who cut inside and shot towards goal, seeing the ball deflect off Alfie Creswell and onto the post.

Just ten minutes later Everton created a golden opportunity to take the lead. Callum Bates cut the ball back to Ebere who looked destined to score from close range, but Alex Baird got down brilliantly to keep the attacker’s effort out.

Just after the half-hour mark, Leighton Baines’ side took the lead. Ebere darted into the penalty area and hit a powerful strike into the bottom corner.

In what was a difficult half for the Whites, Baird was needed to prevent Everton from extending their lead. Martin Sherif rose highest to meet a cross which was headed for the top corner, but Baird made another fine save.

HALF TIME: Leeds United U18 0-1 Everton U18

Both sides came out for the second half unchanged, but it would be the visitors who would strike first, as Beaumont-Clark doubled his side’s advantage. Sherif won the ball back in a dangerous area and squared it to Beaumont-Clark who tapped home from close range.

After going two goals down, Rob Etherington’s side started to create some chances of their own, with Harvey Vincent, Oliver Pickles and Lleyton Brown all having efforts from range.

As Leeds’ pressure began to grow, Ebere provided a sucker-punch against the run of play as he put Everton three goals to the good, finishing powerfully into the top corner.

Just five minutes later, Ebere went on to compete his hat-trick, making no mistake from close range after being played through on goal.

Despite the scoreline, the Whites continued to push forward, and their efforts were rewarded when Harry Gray pulled a goal back with 15 minutes to play.

The attacker did brilliantly as he beat two Everton players, with a deflection helping take his effort past the goalkeeper and deservedly get his side on the scoresheet.

In the final moments of the game, Gray nearly had a second. His tricky feet on the edge of the box created space and allowed him to get a shot on goal, only for George Pickford to make a smart save to parry away his curling strike.

The result leaves Leeds eighth in the U18 Premier League North, with an away trip to Liverpool to come next week.

FULL TIME: Leeds United U18 1-4 Everton U18