U18s Report: Blackburn Rovers 2-4 Leeds United | OneFootball

An inspired comeback for the Whites.

U18 Premier League North

Blackburn Rovers U18 2 (Boggan 19’, 39’)

Leeds United U18 4 (Brockie 43’, 50’; McDonald 53’, Vincent 76’)

Blackburn: Khan (GK), Houghton (Shaw 73’), Ramwell, Davies, Litherland, Shorrocks, Bell, Rimmer, Boggan, Willis (Pates 72’), Edmondson (Dlamini 72’). Subs not used: Honor, Decandia.

Leeds: Grainger (GK), Dudley, Lane, Toulson (C), Billet, Matykiewicz (Simo 60’), Vincent (Morris 80’), Pickles, Brown (Gray 60’), Brockie (Morris 87’), McDonald.  Sub not used: Kenyon.

Booked: Litherland, Shorrocks, Boggan, Shaw (Blackburn) Simo (Leeds)

Venue: Blackburn Rovers Training Centre

The Whites picked up three impressive points on Saturday afternoon after coming from two goals behind to beat Blackburn Rovers away from home.

Strikes from Devon Brockie either side of the break drew Rob Etherington’s side level, with Josh McDonald and Harvey Vincent completing a sensational comeback for United in the second half.

After a cagey opening to the match, the home side took the lead in the 19th minute, when a misplaced pass was pounced on by Joe Boggan who took it wide and past the onrushing Owen Grainger before finding the back of the net.

Boggan then doubled his tally and his side’s lead six minutes before the break, as the striker calmly slotted past Grainger after getting on the end of a Nathan Willis pass.

Brockie handed the Whites a lifeline moments before the break after superb build up play from McDonald. The winger tricked his way past a crowd of defenders before unleashing a curling effort that Adam Khan could only parry into the path of Brockie who tapped home the rebound.

HALF TIME: Blackburn Rovers U18 2-1 Leeds United U18

Etherington’s side got off to the best possible start in the second half, when McDonald worked his way past the Rovers defence before chipping a cross toward Brockie. The striker calmly chested the ball down and volleyed his effort beyond Khan to level proceedings!

As quickly as United drew level they went ahead, when Louie Dudley picked the ball up on the halfway line and drove forward, sliding a smart pass to the impressive McDonald who hit a left-footed strike into the bottom corner.

The hosts looked to respond and nearly drew level when a low cross from Lewis Bell found Stephen Edmondson inside the six-yard box. He took a touch and drilled a shot goalward but a brilliant block from Joe Billet kept the Whites in front.

Despite pressure from the home side, the Whites were able to launch an electric counter and grabbed a fourth through Harvey Vincent! Subsitute Harry Gray played an incisive ball into the path of the forward who chipped his first-time effort over Khan in the Blackburn goal.

That proved to be the last of the action which rounded off a superb comeback for Leeds United U18s and continue their impressive run of form.

The side are back in action on Wednesday afternoon where they face Derby County as they look to make it five wins in a row.

FULL TIME: Blackburn Rovers U18 2-4 Leeds United U18