FAYC Report: Sheffield United 1-1 (P) Leeds United
FA Youth Cup Fifth Round
Sheffield United U18s 1 (Blacker 74’)
Leeds United U18s 1* (Wilson 60’)
*Leeds United U18s win 5-4 on penalties.
Sheff Utd: Andrews (GK), Waldron (C), Haughton-Parris, Tahir, Prunty, Okyere, Aston, Blacker, Kiwomya (Long 91’), Cummings (Blaize 79’), Francis (Coubrough 88’). Subs not used: Hewitson, Colechin, Howard, Sidibe.
Leeds: Mahaday (GK), Richards, Toulson (C), Crew (Pickles 83’), Cresswell, Lopata-White, Lane (Pirie 76’), Chadwick, Wilson, McFadden, McDonald. Subs not used: Grainger, Dudley, Billett, Simo, Morris.
Referee: Darren Rodgers
Booked: Blacker, Prunty (Sheff Utd) Toulson, Mahady (Leeds)
Venue: Bramall Lane
Goalkeeper Rory Mahady was the hero for Leeds United Under-18s as Rob Etherington’s side edged past Sheffield United Under-18s on penalties, at Bramall Lane.
Mahady made two stunning saves in the shootout, helping the Whites to set up a blockbuster home quarter final against Liverpool in the FA Youth Cup.
United started brightly from the first minute, with the first chance of the game falling the way of Marley Wilson.
The forward latched on to a long ball and flicked it around the onrushing Ryan Andrews on the edge of the box. He played a smart one-two with Freddie Lane before seeing a shot saved well by the retreating Andrews.
After a good early spell of possession for Leeds, the visitors had to be switched on at the back as Sheffield United had a flurry of corners in quick succession.
Brilliant defending from Reuben Lopata-White saw the defender react quickest to hack away a bouncing ball in the area, before Jayden Prunty was unable to keep his header down after rising highest to meet Sam Aston’s delivery.
The influence of Charlie Crew in the heart of midfield began to grow and the Welshman looked to use the pace of Lane in behind the Blades’ backline.
Crew’s perfectly weighted ball found Lane on the right having escaped his marker, who charged into the area and forced a fine save from keeper Andrews from a narrow angle.
Sheffield United’s clearest sight of goal came as the first half drew to a close, as Marshall Francis found space at the back post following a quick Blades free kick. A floated cross came in from the right and the forward headed back across goal, forcing Mahady into an acrobatic save to tip the ball over the bar.
HALF TIME: Sheffield United U18 0-0 Leeds United U18
The second half saw the game start to become a feisty affair in South Yorkshire, with a number of heavy challenges going in from both sides. Noah Kiwomya had the first chance of the half for the hosts, shooting straight at Mahady from the edge of the area.
Moments later, Blades midfielder Sam Aston rattled the post with a fantastic free kick from 30-yards which had Mahady scrambling.
After soaking up an early spell of pressure, United took the lead in stunning fashion thanks to Wilson’s acrobatic effort.
Joe Richards did superbly well on the right, evading challenges and marauding his way into the area before finding Wilson, whose overhead kick nestled inside the post to put Leeds a goal to the good.
The hosts would find an equaliser 16 minutes from time, as Billy Blacker swept home a loose ball from the edge of the box.
As full-time loomed, substitute Oliver Pickles nearly won the tie with a wondergoal, as only the full-stretch dive of Andrews denied the Leeds man's stunning volley from 30 yards out.
At the other end, Kiwomya almost grabbed a winner with the last touch of the game after he did well to meet Blacker’s low cross, flicking the ball just wide of Mahady’s far post.
END OF 90 MINUTES: Sheffield United U18 1-1 Leeds United U18
The hosts started extra time brightly, with Mahady on hand again to make a wonderful double save. As the Blades countered, Mahady first denied Blacker, before making a stunning stop to deny Arlo Coubrough on the rebound.
Mahady’s terrific performance continued in the second half of extra time, making a stunning save to claw Blacker’s goalbound header off the line.
The Whites thought they had won it moments from time as McDonald charged into the box, cutting it back for Pickles six yards out, only for Mekhi Haughton-Parris to throw himself in front of the ball to make an excellent goal-line clearance.
EXTRA TIME FULL TIME: Sheffield United U18 1-1 Leeds United U18
Penalties were then required to separate the sides after a hard-fought 120 minutes, with Dan Toulson converting first for United. Aston equalised for the hosts, before spot kicks from McFadden and Blacker made it 2-2.
Andrews made a fine save to deny Wilson, but the hosts were unable to take advantage when Mahady parried away Blaize’s effort. Pirie and Chadwick converted for Leeds, with Prunty and Haughton-Parris on target for Sheffield United.
McDonald’s emphatic finish made it 5-4 for the Whites, with Mahady the hero as he denied Okyere from 12 yards to send Rob Etherington’s side through to the quarter finals!
FULL TIME: Sheffield United U18 1-1 Leeds United U18
(Leeds win 5-4 on penalties)
