U18s Report: Man City 3-2 Leeds United | OneFootball

U18 Premier League North

Manchester City U18 3 (Miles 32', Musaka 45', 88')

Leeds United U18 2 (Pickles 65' pen, Bird 74')

Man City: Hudson (GK), Henderson-Hall, Parker, Braithwaite, Thomas, Miles (Courtman 59’), McAidoo, Gorman (Batty 70’), Fletcher (Warhurst 70’), Mukasa, Dunbar-McDonald (Fapetu 67’). Subs not used: Grigg (GK).

Leeds: Kenyon (GK), Firth, Bird, Whitehead, Billett, Hamilton, White, Pickles, Boast, Lane, Render (Morris 75’). Subs not used: Wood (GK), Watson, Simo, Mills.

Venue: City Football Academy

Referee: Charles King

Booked: Braithwaite, Mukasa (Man City)

Leeds United Under-18s were cruelly denied a much-deserved point in the dying stages as they were beaten by a strong Manchester City Under-18s side away from home, despite second half goals from Oliver Pickles and Coban Bird.

It didn’t take long for Man City to show their strength as Leeds’ number one George Kenyon was called into action in the opening minutes of the game – a fine save with his left boot denied Luca Fletcher up front for the hosts.

Despite the fast start from City, the Whites were far from starved of opportunities as Bird was finding joy on the left wing, causing trouble for his opposing fullback darting up and down the flank.

Each side settled into proceedings as the half progressed, having a fair share of possession and build up play without creating any clear-cut openings.

The 20-minute mark saw Leeds’ first dangerous sight of goal as Oliver Boast came close to breaking the deadlock. A tidy in-swinging cross from Logan White skimmed the forward’s head but the contact was not enough to test City keeper Max Hudson.

Despite the danger from the Whites, the hosts were first to find the net. Harrison Miles struck from distance after half an hour gone.

With City looking to extend their lead, Kenyon was called upon once again to provide a crucial save, this time denying Harrison Parker’s low driven shot across goal.

Ultimately, it was the home side who ended the half on a high. Divine Mukasa’s strike from close range found the back net to double City’s advantage at the break.

HALF TIME: Manchester City U18 2-0 Leeds United U18

Unchanged as the teams emerged, Rob Etherington’s sides intent to reduce the deficit was evident from the off in the second period.

A high press and intercepted pass across the box saw Boast go through on goal. Although the striker couldn’t capitalise on the opportunity with his attempt well saved, there were warning signs from the Whites.

In what was becoming an open, end-to-end encounter, the hosts thought they had put the tie to bed when winger Christian Dunbar-McDonald found the back of the net, but the assistant’s offside flag injected hope for the visitors of a comeback.

A major shift in the game’s trajectory occurred in the 64th minute as Boast was brought down by Kaden Braithwaite in the penalty area. A denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity meant referee Charles King pointed to the spot as well as giving Braithwaite his marching orders.

Up stepped Pickles who confidently converted from the spot, sending Hudson the wrong way as he slotted the ball into the bottom left corner!

Kenyon, having already made a number of saves, was once again crucial when called upon, producing the pick of the bunch with 20 minutes to go as he somehow denied a Ryan McAidoo effort that seemed destined to arrow into the top corner.

Although Leeds were on top in the search of an equaliser, the home side showed their danger when Mukasa broke free on a counterattack, only for a sublime recovering challenge from Josh Hamilton to keep the deficit to one.

Etherington’s side levelled matters and in stunning style, when skipper Bird unleashed a fantastic, curling strike from the edge of the box which sailed into top left corner!

Despite the efforts of all in white, it wasn’t to be for United as City cruelly won the tie in the dying moments, courtesy of Mukasa’s close-range finish.

Leeds will have chance to bounce back when the two sides meet in the upcoming Fifth Round of the FA Youth Cup.

FULL TIME: Manchester City U18 3-2 Leeds United U18