U18s Report: Newcastle United 3-3 Leeds United | OneFootball

U18 Premier League North

Newcastle United U18 3 (Wooster pen 8’, pen 57’, 90’)

Leeds United U18 3 (Boast pen 23’, 71’; Alker 47’)

Newcastle: Mair (GK), Johnson (C), Durrant, Old, Yeutembip (Epia 82’), Finneran, Fitzgerald, Taylor (Brayson 77’), Wooster, Yildiz (O’Donovan 58’), Sanusi (Ferreira 58’). Subs not used: Jones (GK).

Leeds: Baird (GK), Firth (Simo 90’), Bird (C) (Philpott 66’), Whitehead, Billett, Howard, Njinko, Mills, Boast (Stockton 80’), Alker, White. Subs not used: Woolfrey (GK), Matykiewicz.

Venue: Whitley Park

Referee: Samuel Ross

Booked: Mair (Newcastle) Bird, Billett (Leeds)

Leeds United Under-18s played out a six-goal thriller with Newcastle United mid-week, with a last-gasp goal from the hosts cruelly denying Rob Etherington’s side of all three points.

The opening stages of the game saw the Magpies take an early lead courtesy of Kacey Wooster. An unfortunate tangle of legs between Jacob Howard and Trevan Sanusi in the box saw Samuel Ross point to the spot for the first time on the afternoon, with the striker making no mistake from 12 yards out.

Leeds searched for a leveller shortly after as a cleverly choreographed passage of play between Logan White, Samuel Alker and Will Firth dissected its way through the Newcastle defence down the right flank. The ball eventually landed at the feet of Firth who drove a low strike a whisker away from the inside of the far post.

A minute later, Carrick Njinko tried his luck from distance for the Whites, with his long-range effort calling George Mair into action, as Leeds showed a positive reaction to the earlier setback.

The quarter of an hour mark saw a complete change in dynamic. Etherington’s side were dominating possession and control of proceedings, applying constant pressure upon Newcastle’s backline as they searched for an equaliser.

Firth, who was finding joy down the right-hand side, surged forward beyond the Magpies’ midfield and linked up well with Njinko with a neat one-two to move beyond his marker before being sent tumbling inside the area.

Up stepped Oliver Boast from 12 yards with a confident side-footed strike which found the bottom right corner, sending Mair the wrong way in the process to put the Whites on equal terms mid-way through the first half.

Despite his evident threat up front, Boast also found himself involved at the other end of the pitch, making a fine challenge to strip Sanusi of the ball who had been heading goalwards in a dangerous position.

Leeds kicked on with Alker showing off some fine footwork in the middle of the park, marauding his way around two Newcastle midfielders and offloading a pass out wide to Njinko who was having a lively evening. Creating space for himself by cutting inside his opposite number, he unleashed a strike goalwards which forced a good save from the Newcastle number one.

With the Whites looking the more likely to take the lead, a quick counterattack saw Boast race onto a defence-splitting through ball. Arriving before an oncoming Mair, the attacker was felled, with the Magpies’ stopper fortunate not to receive his marching orders.

The resulting free kick, delivered by White, was flashed across the box and narrowly evaded full-back Coban Bird at the back post.

HALF TIME: Newcastle United U18 1-1 Leeds United U18

Emerging from the break unchanged, Etherington’s side looked for more of the same regarding the dominance in proceedings and creating further opportunities.

The Whites wasted no time and took the lead within minutes, as Alker slotted home to give Leeds a perfect restart! Originating from Njinko who got the better of his marker to tee up the midfielder, the finish from Alker was clinical!

Newcastle had a dangerous chance themselves looking to respond when Rory Finneran arrived late into the area to meet Kyle Fitzgerald’s cross, lashing his shot wide of the upright.

The home side weren’t to waste another opportunity though, with Wooster once more scoring from the spot to level proceedings.

Not to be deterred, the visitors were immediately back on the front foot. Released beyond the Magpies’ defence by Bird, Boast stung the opposition keeper’s gloves with a powerful effort.

Leeds deservedly retook the lead in style, with a passage of play which started all the way at the back with Howard striving forward. The defender played the ball up for Firth to meet on the touchline, who crossed into the path of an onrushing Boast to bundle the ball home from close range!

Onwards, the Whites continued to play their free-flowing football with chances for substitutes Louie Philpott and Thomas Stockton going close to extending the lead, both of which were denied by Mair.

Deep into the eight additional minutes signalled, Etherington’s side were cruelly denied victory as Wooster salvaged a point for the Magpies, seconds before the final whistle was blown and proceedings came to a close.

FULL TIME: Newcastle United U18 3-3 Leeds United U18