U18 Premier League North
Everton U18s 6 (Brooks 19’, Robert 21’ 68’, Aduda 40’, Nsangou 49’ 68’)
Leeds United U18s 1 (White 45’)
Everton: Patrick (GK), Boggan (Mutch 80’), Billington, Evans (C), McEveley, Pemberton (Apter 76’), Barratt, Brookes (Moogan 65’), Nsangou (Dodds 69’), Aduda, Robert. Sub not used: Wilcox.
Leeds: Woolfrey (GK), Walker (Bridge 80’), Balmer, Bhaskaran (C), Megson, Mensah, Stockton, Heywood (Hazell-Schofield 76’), Bennett (Watling 69’), Ibrovic-Fletcher (Morrall 76’), White (Hitchen 80’). Subs not used: Wood (GK), Watson.
Referee: Thomas Fox | Venue: Finch Farm
Despite a well-taken goal from Logan White, a very youthful Leeds United Under-18s side were beaten 6-1 by Everton Under-18s at Finch Farm in their first game of the 2026/27 season.
The Whites, wearing their yellow strip, struggled to get an early foothold in the game, with the hosts dominating possession and having the better of the chances in the first quarter of the match. United’s shot stopper Josh Woolfrey was called upon multiple times and made a range of fine saves to deny the Everton attackers throughout the early stages.
However, the hosts still managed to take the lead just before the 20-minute mark when Harry Brookes found an opportunity to turn and get his shot away inside the United penalty area. Everton then doubled their lead just two-minutes later with Ray Robert rounding off a smart move by shooting into the bottom left corner of the goal.
Leeds, to their credit, dug in and tried to force themselves into the game, creating a couple of chances themselves. Most notably, a powerful volley from outside the box by captain Joe Bhaskaran that was tipped over the bar on the half hour mark.
Everton, though, made it three-nil after 40-minutes, with Rodney Aduda scoring after a shot looped across goal to him at the back post.
The young Whites gave themselves a glimmer of hope with the last kick of the first half, as Alfie Walker played an excellent ball across goal, finding White who finished coolly into the bottom left corner of the goal to bring the scoreline to 3-1.
HALF TIME: Everton 3-1 Leeds United
Leeds started the second half brightly, winning consecutive corners straight from the restart, yet Everton were the ones to continue the scoring. Jonathan Nsangou made it 4-1 with a lobbed finish from 25 yards.
Robert got his second and the Toffees’ fifth just after the hour mark, driving all the way into the box from the halfway line before firing powerfully into the roof of the net.
The final goal for the hosts was claimed by Nsangou in the 68th minute, who again scored from distance. This time it was a curling effort into the top right corner of the goal.
The last 20 minutes of the second half was played in between the two boxes, with neither side creating any more clear-cut chances.
It was a tough afternoon for Rob Etherington’s Young Whites who return to Thorp Arch next Saturday to get their home season underway.
FULL TIME: Everton 6-1 Leeds United