U18s Report: Stoke City 4-3 Leeds United | OneFootball

Whites defeated on opening day of the season.

U18s Premier League North

Stoke City Under-18s 4 (Lusakueno 13’, Hayder 48’, 65’, Lowe 67’)

Leeds United Under-18s 3 (Andreucci 7’, Douglas 17’, McFadden 43’)

Stoke: Jackson (GK), Curl, Laird, Bickerton, Grogan, Smith, Sidibe, Lusakueno, Hayder (Rattray 79’), Challinor (Asplin 90’), Lowe (Watson 90’). Subs not used: Agina, Houston.

Leeds: Ombang, (GK), Godden (Toulson 87’), Diboe (Dawber 68’), Debayo, Coleman, Crew, Douglas, McFadden (McGrath 46’), Wilson, Ferguson (White 66’), Andreucci. Subs not used: Baird.

Venue: Clayton Wood Training Ground

Referee: J. Chadwick

Booked: Sidibe, Lusakueno, Challinor, Lowe (Stoke) Wilson, Ferguson (Leeds)

Leeds United’s Under-18s began their U18 Premier League North season on Saturday lunchtime, away from home against Stoke City at their Clayton Wood Training Ground.

After taking an early lead in the match and looking in control of the game at half-time, Scott Gardner’s side relinquished their advantage in the second half to see the hosts come from behind and claim all three points on the opening day.

A quick start from the Whites saw young forward Ben Andreucci get the scoring underway. The striker found the back of the net with a clever left-footed finish inside seven minutes of the match, after being played in behind the Stoke defence by Marley Wilson.

The hosts were not behind for long though and equalised quickly. Matthew Lusakueno was the player to level the game with a placed shot into the bottom corner, finishing well after being found with a long ball over the top by teammate William Smith.

The action would continue in this lively encounter and a third goal of the match arrived inside the opening 20 minutes in Staffordshire, with a quick counter-attack upfield which had initially started from Whites goalkeeper Darryl Ombang!

Leeds went back into the lead when Connor Douglas fired home in the box, after sprinting the length of the pitch to latch onto a through ball from Andreucci, who had done superbly well himself to evade multiple challenges before creating the chance.

The intense heat on Saturday afternoon across the country was clear to all, with both teams managing their efforts of when to press and when to recharge themselves for their next attack. They were able to take on fluids with a scheduled drinks break in the 23rd minute.

Shortly before the half-time interval, Gardner’s side extended their lead through Max McFadden. Assisted by Cian Coleman with a clever ball through the Stoke defence, McFadden finished powerfully into the top corner to give his side a two-goal advantage at the break in an impressive opening 45 minutes.

HALF TIME: Stoke City 1-3 Leeds United

Coming out for the second half, Ronnie McGrath came on in place of goalscorer McFadden, whilst the home side continued to play with the same XI which had started the game.

The hosts would come out looking for a way back into the match in the second half, and they found one inside just three minutes of the restart.

Smith was again to be the creator for the Potters, with his cross into the box from the right-wing allowing Ali Hayder to superbly strike a first-time right-foot volley into the top corner, giving Ombang no chance between the posts.

In the 65th minute, the hosts then drew the game level. Once again it was Hayder with another excellent finish, this time showing his ability to use both feet by rifling the ball into the top corner with his left-foot on this occasion, making it three-apiece.

Stoke were now in the ascendency and two minutes after their third of the game, they found a fourth. Nathan Lowe collected Josh Bickerton’s throw-in inside the box before turning the Whites defence and then scoring from a tight angle, to put his side in front for the first time.

Leeds looked to respond to going behind and did have further opportunities. A left-footed effort from Coleman came within inches of finding the top-corner, whilst in the closing stages Oscar Dawber flashed an effort across the face of goal which somehow evaded everyone.

The final whistle sounded to confirm opening day defeat for Leeds United’s Under-18s and attentions will now quickly turn to next weekend weekend, where they will face Liverpool’s Under-18s at Thorp Arch.

FULL TIME: Stoke City 4-3 Leeds United