Leeds United reach FA Youth Cup final in big-crowd thriller as rising star shines — YEP 4/4/24
Leeds United’s under-18s took on Millwall looking for a place in the final of the 2024 FA Youth Cup.
By Lee Sobot
Leeds United’s impressive under-18s booked their place in
the FA Youth Cup final after edging a seven-goal thriller against Thursday
night’s visitors Millwall in front of over 10,000 fans at Elland Road where a
first team squad member excelled.
The 4-3 triumph for Rob Etherington’s side booked a final
showdown against Manchester City’s under-18s who have been drawn as the home
side for the contest which must be played by Saturday, May 4.
Leeds began very brightly and created several good chances
but Millwall went ahead in the 18th minute after an attack down the left ended
with Kavalli Heywood heading home a Frankie Maciocia cross.
The Whites were momentarily on the ropes as the Lions
quickly pressed for a second goal but Leeds drew level just 13 minutes after
conceding as Rhys Chadwick coolly slotted home a penalty that he had won
himself after being brought down by Alfie Massey.
The goal restored order and a dominant Whites went ahead
just five minutes later through current first team squad member Charlie Crew
who rifled home a terrific volleyed finish through a crowded box after Millwall
failed to clear a corner as part of a fine display from the young midfielder.
Leeds then had a glorious chance to bag a third goal shortly
after the interval as lively winger Josh McDonald raced away one-on-one after
poor Millwall play only to curl his attempt to beat keeper Albert Penney just
wide.
Millwall then made Leeds pay by drawing level shortly
afterwards as the Whites failed to deal with a corner that dropped at the feet
of Joshua Stephenson who was able to turn and fire home from close range.
The lead did not last long and United went back in front
from a corner themselves, a Millwall attempt to clear bouncing off George
Beaumont into the back of the net for an own goal.
But incredibly, Beaumont then netted at the right end just
two minutes later, blasting home from close range after Whites centre-back
Reuben Lopata-White's attempt to clear a cross bounced back off the crossbar.
In driving rain, both teams then exchanged chances in the
bid to bag the game's seventh goal which arrived for Leeds in the 71st minute
via another own goal from a corner, this time from Harvey Whiteman whose touch
took the ball beyond keeper Penney as Alfie Cresswell challenged for a header.
It proved the game’s winning goal, both teams then going all
out for another as part of a pulsating cup tie which ended with Millwall’s
Stephenson blasting a glorious chance over the bar in the 97th minute.
Leeds United under-18s: Mahady, Richards, Cresswell,
Lopata-White, Toulson, Crew (Pickles 87), Chadwick, Vincent, McDonald (Render
84), Chambers (Brockie 90), Lane. Subs: Grainger, Billett, Bird, Brown.
Millwall: Penney, Mansor, Olugbodi, Massey, Whiteman (Ojemen
79), Stephenson, Beaumont (Kendall 89), Maciocia, O’Boyle (Abdulazeez 79),
Heywood, Howland. Subs not used: Whitby, Przewozny, Vieira, Forbes.
Referee: Thomas Kirk.
Attendance: 10,493.
