U18 Premier League North

Nottingham Forest U18 2 (Smith 7’, K. Thompson 39’)

Leeds United U18 1 (Morris 22’)

Nottingham Forest: Bailey (GK), Sanneh (C), Sutton, Broomes, W. Thompson, Nwosu (Brandy 60’), Smith (Bradshaw 82’), Davies, Blake (Hamilton 45’), Robinson, K. Thompson(Djamna 60’). Subs not used: Graham.

Leeds: Wood (GK), Firth (C) (Bridge 81’), Philpott, Whitehead, Simo, Hamilton, Thompson (Stockton 68’), Mills (Bhaskaran 45’), Render, Mensah, Morris. Subs not used: Watson, Matykiewicz.

Booked: Smith, Bradshaw (Forest) Whitehead (Leeds)

Referee: Steven Taylor

Venue: The Nigel Doughty Academy

Jack Morris’ strike was not enough to save Leeds United U18s from falling to a 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the Nigel Doughty Academy, with all goals coming in the first half.

Rob Etherington’s side went behind after seven minutes when Fuad Smith was played in behind the Leeds defence following a misplaced pass. Smith slid his shot past the onrushing Oliver Wood and into the bottom right corner of the net.

Leeds got level 15 minutes later through a well-worked goal that ended with Jack Morris firing into the bottom left corner. Kenneth Mensah did excellently to keep the ball on the edge of the Forest box, playing the ball out to William Firth, who played the ball across to Morris, his strike bringing the Whites even.

In the 39th minute, though, Forest went ahead again. Zyan Blake played in Kalum Thompson down the left of the goal. He worked an opportunity, and his shot from a tight angle went in at the far post.

Leeds almost levelled immediately, as Morris saw a powerful strike well saved by the Forest keeper after the midfielder took down a brilliant long ball from Joshua Hamilton.

HALF TIME: NOTTINGHAM FOREST U18 2-1 LEEDS UNITED U18

Immediately after half-time, the Whites had another good chance to go level, but Louie Philpott’s outstretched foot could only direct Jacob Render’s cross wide of the post following a fast break down the right-hand side of the pitch.

After this opportunity, the next 35 minutes saw end-to-end play similar to the first half, but with fewer chances for either side in front of goal. Leeds had more of the ball but could not quite find a way to level a second time.

In the 87th minute, Leeds were let off massively as Scott Hamilton raced away down the right-hand side. His touch took him past a sliding Leeds defender, but he placed his shot far to the left of the goal, with Wood doing enough to put the striker off in the one-on-one situation.

This was the biggest and last chance of the second half, with the match ending on the same scoreline as half-time. It was a disappointing defeat for the young Whites, who will believe they created enough to have at least taken a draw from the game. However, it was not to be.

Next in the league, the Whites return to Thorp Arch to take on Burnley.

FULL-TIME: NOTTINGHAM FOREST U18 2-1 LEEDS UNITED U18