U18 Premier League North

Leeds United U18 1 (Brockie 34)

Stoke City U18 0

Leeds: Mahady (GK), Billett, Dudley, Cresswell (Bird 46’), Richards, Pickles, Toulson (C), Vincent (Simo 86’), Brockie (Morris 61’), McDonald, Lane (White 78’). Subs not used: Grainger.

Stoke: Jensen (GK), Giani, Tortoishell, Grogan (C), Agina, Hayder, Walker (Eyaife 81’), Smith, Maskall, Lipsiuc, Kelly (Enright 46’). Subs not used: Brammer, Hines, Nzau.

Booked: Toulson, Brockie (Leeds)

Venue: Thorp Arch

Leeds United Under-18s ran out 1-0 winners against Stoke City Under-18s on Wednesday afternoon in a tight encounter at Thorp Arch thanks to a first-half goal from Devon Brockie.

The game began at a steady pace with both midfields battling it out, and neither side were able to create any clear-cut chances.

Stoke’s Ali Hayder took the game’s first effort at goal on the half-hour mark. The Potters winger intercepted a pass and broke away down the left. He then worked his way into the box to shoot, but couldn’t keep his effort on target.

Just four minutes later Leeds also had their first sight of goal, but they made it count as Brockie put the Whites in front.

Joe Richards was played in behind and delivered a cross which deflected into the path of Brockie, who was making his first U18s appearance of the season in the league. He then took one touch and calmly rolled the ball into the bottom corner.

The visitors had the final chance of the half as Josh Maskall cut the ball back to William Smith on the edge of the box, but Alfie Cresswell did well to block Smith’s effort and put it behind for a corner.

The opening 45 minutes was brought to a close with both sides evenly matched, but Brockie’s goal making all the difference.

HALF TIME: Leeds United U18 1-0 Stoke City U18

The teams returned for the second half with each making one substitution. Coban Bird replaced Cresswell for Leeds, and Luke Enright replaced Jackson Kelly for the visitors.

The second half started at a much quicker pace than the first, and Leeds were immediately on the front foot. Brockie found himself unmarked on the edge of the box but couldn’t keep his effort down and saw it sail over the bar.

Just one minute later, keeper Rory Mahady was forced into making a good save to his left. Lewis Walker hit a strike from the edge of the box, but Mahady was down quickly to keep his effort out.

As the game went on, the Potters grew into the game and started to create more chances. Enright and Hayder came closest for the visitors – Enright striking the woodwork from range, and Hayder, who was unmarked at the back post, being unable to keep his header down.

With a little over five minutes left on the clock, Stoke once again had a golden opportunity to equalise. Maskall delivered a cross to Enright and from point-blank range it looked as though he couldn’t miss, but Mahady had other ideas as he pulled off another great save to keep the Whites in the lead.

That would be the last key moment of the match before the referee brought the game to an end, leaving Rob Etherington’s side sixth in the U18 Premier League North table. Their next fixture is away at Blackburn Rovers.

FULL TIME: Leeds United U18 1-0 Stoke City U18