FA Youth Cup Report: Bristol City U18s 0-1 Leeds United U18s | OneFootball

FA Youth Cup Third Round

Bristol City U18 0

Leeds United U18 1 (Njinko 77’)

Bristol City: Godden (GK), Walker, Williams (Sainsbury 77’), Derrick (C) (Amos 50), Thelwell, Gibbs, Akinbo, Hogg, Skinner, Ikpeama (Ezendu 77’), Kalkowski (Jackson 90'). Subs not used: Kemmery (GK), Ezendu, Barimah, Abbott.

Leeds: Wood (GK), Firth (C), Lienou (Philpott 85’), Whitehead, Matykiewicz, Howard, Njinko, Pickles, Gray, Mills, Render (Mensah 90’). Subs not used: Woolfrey (GK), Simo, Morris, Alker, Dudley.

Booked: Gibbs (Bristol City) Njinko (90+5’)

Referee: Craig Scriven

Venue: Robins High Performance Centre

Leeds United Under-18s secured progression to the FA Youth Cup fourth round on Thursday evening, following a late victory over Bristol City Under-18s thanks to Carrick Njinko’s strike.

Rob Etherington made six changes from last time out against Nottingham Forest Under-18s, bringing Jayden Lienou, Harry Gray, Ollie Pickles, Luke Matykiewicz, Jacob Howard and Njinko into the starting XI.

The Whites had to withstand some early pressure in the opening minutes as the hosts looked to break the deadlock, defending corners from either side to keep the score level.

Leeds then began to gain a foothold and started coming forward themselves as Howard broke into the Robins’ half and picked out a pass to the middle, which was sent over to Njinko on the right wing. The winger cut back and crossed low into the area, but the chance was well defended and cleared.

As Bristol City continued piling on the pressure, the Whites’ backline held firm. Several important blocks were made, most notably as Matykiewicz intervened to prevent Tomos Gibbs finding the target after his mazy run.

Pickles was the first to test either ‘keeper significantly, taking aim from outside the box, but his powerful strike was straight at Freddie Godden who held comfortably.

Pickles was again involved as the clock struck to half-an-hour, switching play from right to left and to the feet of Jacob Render. The winger dribbled to the byline before carving out a cross towards Gray, but the ball was slightly too much and couldn’t be controlled by Njinko.

Once more the Whites came forward. Some neat play just inside the box on the right led to the ball falling to Gray around the edge of the area, who fired low through a crowd of bodies but could only rattle the post.

However, soon after, the first period came to a close with neither side able to break the deadlock.

HALF TIME: Bristol City U18 0-0 Leeds United U18

The second half started just as end-to-end as the first. Both Leeds and Bristol City came forward, the hosts seeing two good chances saved and blocked and then defending a dangerous attack from the Whites.

Howard lofted the ball over the top and in-behind to Gray, who darted to the byline before dinking to the centre of the box, narrowly avoiding a Leeds shirt before falling to Render at the far post, who’s powerful half-volley was well defended and cleared.

Oliver Wood in the away goal was again called into action soon after, palming away a powerful strike from Luke Skinner as the forward broke through the backline.

Following a handful of promising Leeds attacks courtesy of Njinko, Gray eventually broke free just on the right of goal. His marauding run was finished with a powerful dig towards the top corner, which narrowly cleared the upright.

This constant pressure from the visitors was eventually rewarded, as Render’s deflected strike wasn’t cleared effectively by the Robins’ backline and fell to Njinko at the back post, who fired into the back of the net to break the deadlock on the 77th minute!

It was almost two immediately, as Gray lofted the ball over the hosts’ high line from a free kick to both Lienou and Pickles, but neither were able to make enough contact to find the target.

As the game ticked deep into five minutes of added time, the Whites defended resolutely, even coming close on the counter when Godden left his goal to join the attack, but the clash fizzled out and Craig Scriven blew his whistle to signal Leeds’ progression to the next round!

United’s Under-18s are back in action on Tuesday 16th December, welcoming Burnley Under-18s to Thorp Arch in the U18 Premier League.

FULL TIME: Bristol City U18 0-1 Leeds United U18