U18s Report: Leeds United 4-0 Derby County

U18 Premier League North

Leeds United U18 4 (White pen 45’, Render 46’, Firth 86’, Mills 90’)

Derby County U18 0

Leeds: Kenyon (GK), Firth (C), Philpott, Whitehead, Matykiewicz, Howard, Njinko, Mills, Render (Morris 77’), Mensah (Alker 66’), White. Subs not used: Wood (GK), Simo, Bridge.

Derby: Dzialuk (GK), Doyle, Stokes, Marriott, Connell-Webster (C), Hodges, Clarke (Lukic 71’), Gill (Nessling 37’), Ward, Harvey (Thomas 74’), Blake. Subs not used: Mountain (GK), Connor.

Referee: Benjamin Duffill

Booked: Njinko, Alker, Howard (Leeds) Doyle, Hodges, Stokes, Connell-Webster (Derby)

Venue: Thorp Arch

Leeds United Under-18s claimed a first three points of the season as Logan White’s first-half penalty and three goals after the break secured a commanding 4-0 victory over Derby County Under-18s.

A cool, grey afternoon set the scene for Rob Etherington’s young Whites as they welcomed Derby for their opening home game of the campaign.

Leeds were on the front foot in the opening two minutes with White’s quick feet down the left earning an early free kick after he was brought down by Anthony Doyle, though the resulting delivery was dealt with comfortably by the visitors.

The Rams responded with a bright spell of their own. Zayne Blake found space on the left and his low cross reached James Ward at the near post as the forward dragged his effort wide.

Derby continued to probe through Blake but captain Will Firth and centre-back Luke Matykiewicz stood firm to halt their attacks.

At the other end, Leeds began to carve out opportunities. Matykiewicz’s lofted ball released White and a deft touch allowed him to drive into the box, only for alert goalkeeper Cristiano Dzialuk to race out and smother.

Moments later, White skipped past Doyle down the right and cut inside before flashing a shot just wide. Firth then blazed over after being played in one-on-one by Callum Mills.

The breakthrough arrived shortly before half-time. Kenneth Mensah’s trickery drew a foul inside the area and White stepped up, rattling his penalty off the underside of the crossbar and in!

Leeds doubled their advantage within a minute of the restart! A misplaced back pass was seized upon by Jacob Render who pounced to fire past Dzialuk.

Derby looked for a way back as Blake and George Stokes combined to test George Kenyon but the Leeds goalkeeper saved smartly down to his right.

From there, the Whites pressed relentlessly. Carrick Njinko went close with a powerful strike into the side netting while Mills and White both spurned chances to extend the lead.

The pressure finally told in the closing stages. On 86 minutes, White combined with Firth who produced a superb outside-of-the-foot finish into the bottom left corner to make it three!

Moments later, White burst down the left and pulled the ball back for Mills to crash home Leeds’ fourth to claim a convincing victory.

Next up for Etherington’s side is a trip to Tyneside to face Newcastle United next weekend.

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