U18s Report: Leeds United 4-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers | OneFootball

Under-18 Premier League North

Leeds United U18 4 (Mills 13’, Boast 26’, 32’, 57’)

Wolverhampton Wanderers U18 0

Leeds: Wood (GK), Firth (Simo 85’), Bird (c), Whitehead, Billett (Matykiewicz 67’), Howard, Njinko, Mills, Boast (Philpott 85’), (Stockton 72’), White. Subs not used: Banks.

Wolves: Hardy (GK), Elendu, Ofiso (Stafford 63’), White, Lochhead, Marwa, Ford, Ji, Greenwood, Ballard-Matthews (Bowen 63’), Wilcox. Subs not used: Asif, Nyakudya.

Venue: Thorp Arch

Referee: Neil Howlett

Booked: Bird, Alker (Leeds) Ji (Wolves)

Leeds United Under-18s put four goals past Wolverhampton Wanderers at Thorp Arch, claiming an impressive victory under the West Yorkshire sunshine.

From the outset, Rob Etherington’s side dominated the game, with Wolves never really looking threatening.

The game got underway, and it was clear Leeds had a plan to get in behind the visiting defence. Ten minutes in, one of the chances came off as Logan White found himself one-on-one with the defender, but was unlucky not the get the better of him.

Just three minutes later, the Whites opened the scoring via a confident finish from Callum Mills. Oliver Boast did fantastically well by dropping deep into midfield and setting up the three-on-two attack. A perfectly weighted pass to Mills was matched by a calm finish under the keeper.

In the 18th minute, Wanderers had their best chance of the game. An audacious effort from Emilo Ballard-Matthews from outside the box stuck the underside of the cross bar, and thankfully for the hosts, it didn’t bounce into the back of the net.

Midway through the first half, Boast got his first of the game and doubled the lead for his side. Mills did well in midfield to intercept a stray pass. He then laid it off to White who instinctively played Sam Alker down the right of the box, who played a low cross to Boast, allowing the forward to tap into the back of the net.

Just six minutes later and Leeds had a third! Once again, the ball was won back in midfield by Alker who played a perfect pass in behind for Boast to run on to. From there, he calmly took the ball round an out rushing George Hardy and he placed the ball into an open net.

Leeds continued to dominate for the final five minutes of the half as Wolves looked for their breakthrough, but nothing was forthcoming and Etherington’s side would take a clear advantage into the break.

HALF TIME Leeds United 3-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers

As the teams came out for the second 45 minutes, the Whites kept the same momentum going and after just 10 minutes, won a penalty! Great work from Callum Njinko saw him get the better of David Ofiso, who was then forced to bring him down inside the area.

Boast stood up to take it and he didn’t disappoint. A confident, powerful strike into the bottom right, sending the keeper the wrong way and put Leeds four goals up, and in doing so, secured the striker a superb hat-trick!

The travelling side never looked threatening and even nearly scored an own goal with 25 minutes left to play. Loui Whitehead and Will Firth linked up well down the right to get into a dangerous position, and in an attempt to block the cross, the ball deflected off the defender towards his own net. If it wasn’t for some quick thinking from Hardy, Wolves would’ve been five goals down.

The game began to quieten down in the last 15 minutes but there were still chances for Leeds to extend their lead. Stockton had a volley attempt saved by the keeper as he attempted to put gloss on an already impressive afternoon.

In the final moments of the game, Oliver Wood was called into action for the first real time in the match. Hayden Ford did well to create his own chance by opening up space, allowing him to let off a low, powerful shot. Wood got down fast and made a brilliant save to secure his clean sheet.

When the whistle sounded moments later, it brought a strong performance to a close, confirming victory for the young Whites at Thorp Arch.

FULL TIME Leeds United 4-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers