Crewe U'18 1 Leeds United U'18 3
Crewe's under 18 side put on a good performance but just managed to lose their lead as they headed towards half time.
Some good team play put Crewe ahead after 42 minutes of play thanks to a tapped in goal from Luke Murphy finished an A Jay Leitch-Smith cross nicely. The score that should have read 2-0 by this time had it not been for the linesman ruling a well-taken goal by Nick Farquharson offside.
Leeds weren't without their fair share of chances though, and just minutes into the game a defensive error from Tom Lappin almost cost the home side.
Half an hour into the game and James Bailey could have given the home side a comfortable lead from a corner, picking up a floating ball and hitting it towards target only for a Leeds defender to jump forward and head the ball out of play. He almost gave himself further cause to celebrate when he found himself on the end of a Farquharson ball and a save the keeper was lucky to get hold of.
Seconds from half time and Leeds got themselves an equaliser.
Steve Holland made a tactical change at half time in defence replacing Lappin with Russell Courtney. Chris Clements almost giving Crewe the lead once again only for a Leeds defender to come to the keeper's rescue. Crewe came out a strong side, having numerous chances in the opening minutes of the second half, but that was soon scampered when Leeds gave themselves the lead with a stunning 18-yard shot after 52 minutes.
The play between Clements and Amari Morgan-Smith saw some fantastic play that could have brought Crewe back into the game and Clements was very unlucky not to have hit the back of the net.
Just 10 minutes later and Leeds had extended their lead despite three defenders in the box the Leeds man somehow found his way to tap in a shot and give the Yorkshire youngsters the advantage. Leeds finished the game on a high, having shot after shot just seconds apart, Holland's defence kept fighting though to keep the score line as it was.
A game of good football and some impressive play from Crewe youngsters, a penalty claim that was ignored from the ref and could have brought Crewe back into the game after Farquharson was taken down in the box as he made a run on goal. Dexter Ravenhill was brought on for Ben McHugh as Steve Holland looked to push on for another goal, but despite Ravenhill getting in at the front the game ended 3-1.
Team: Jack Baker, Luke Danville, Ben McHugh (Dexter Ravenhill), Luke Murphy, Tom Lappin (Russell Courtney), Nathan Bancroft, A Jay Leitch-Smith, James Bailey, Nick Farquarharson, Amari Morgan-Smith, Chris Clements.
Unused Sub: Craig Ellison
