Under-18s Denied Victory By Last-Gasp Leeds Equaliser

A young Everton Under-18s side were pegged back with virtually the last action of the game as Leeds United rescued a 1-1 draw at the death.

Kean Wren’s fifth goal of the season had given the Toffees the lead, one they fought valiantly to hold onto until the 95th minute when, amid a goalmouth scramble, Kenneth Mensah’s effort was adjudged to have crossed the line.

The Blues ended the game with almost as many age group players on the pitch as scholars and their efforts deserved all three points when the final whistle went at Finch Farm, but as with the defeat to Middlesbrough last weekend a late goal cost the Under-18s.

Everton could have been in front after just eight minutes when a well-worked routine down the right came to Pita in the box. The Welsh youth international created space for himself but curled his effort narrowly off-target.

The match was one of few clear-cut chances but when Charlie Stewart was released down the right in the 26th minute, he put a perfectly-weighted ball into the box which was met by the head of Wren, who powered his effort past Oliver Wood in the Leeds goal for the opener.

While Leeds saw plenty of the ball it was the Blues who came closest to scoring next and Pita did brilliantly just shy of the half to win a 50/50 in the box and round Wood but, facing away from goal and being off-balance, he could only pull his effort wide.

Leeds came out in determined fashion after the restart and the Blues were indebted to two superb saves from Seve Patrick to maintain their lead, first denying United captain Jack Morris after he was sent through one-on-one and rushing out to prevent Edward Ibrovic-Fletcher from equalising just past the hour.

Pita, Stewart and Ray Robert made way as the half wore on with age group players Dafi-Tomos Pemberton, Rodney Aduda and Jake Doughty coming on to replace them. Leeds put everything into finding an equaliser but the Blues’ young defence were holding firm until the final moments of a lengthy additional time period when, as a ball came into the box, Mensah got a toe to it. It ricocheted between bodies and crossbar but a wave of the assistant referee’s flag indicated it had crossed the line and a point was secured for the visitors.

The result leaves Keith Southern’s side fifth in the Premier League Under-18 (North) table after just their second league draw all season.

Speaking after the game, Southern told evertonfc.com: “I’m disappointed for the players. I said this to the lads after Middlesbrough that I wasn't disappointed for me or the staff, I was disappointed for the boys because of the leading positions we haven't been able to hang on to.

“(There are) lots of positives in there. We had a lot of schoolboys, lots of under-16s, playing and we are a really young team, again. They gave everything so well done to them.

“But I was just disappointed that we didn't see it out because there's an argument to suggest given the nature of the age of our lads, we deserved better.

“We have to instil a mentality into these boys that we have to keep going for 94 minutes, 98 minutes, 108 minutes, whatever the game is.

“The game is longer nowadays, it's a fact. We're playing longer. They have to be ready for that, physically and mentally, so it’s two really good learning opportunities for them. That's what we're here to try to do – educate these boys to hopefully go on and have a career.”