AcademyU18s match report: Late Sonni-Lambie goal rescues draw for Reds at Leeds

Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s side had to dig deep to claim a point from Saturday’s U18 Premier League North clash at Thorp Arch.

The home team took the lead just past the quarter-hour mark, as Lewis Pirie converted past Reds goalkeeper Bailey Hall from the penalty spot after Louis Enahoro-Marcus had brought down Coban Bird inside the box.

Leeds held that advantage until the interval, during which Reds boss Bridge-Wilkinson opted for a double change to shuffle his options – both Kareem Ahmed and Rio Ngumoha were sent on.

And the visitors’ efforts to get themselves back into it paid off – though, it would prove, briefly – with Ngumoha creating their first equaliser.

From a short-corner routine, Ngumoha drifted in an inviting cross that centre-back Enahoro-Marcus met with a clinical header, with 70 on the clock.

United, however, reclaimed the lead within a matter of moments. Oliver O’Connor was caught in possession at the edge of his own area and Devon Brockie supplied the finish to get his team back in front.

But Liverpool found another leveller three minutes from the end to secure their first point in the division this season, and it was a fine goal.

Sonni-Lambie received the ball to the left of the Leeds area and, having stood up three defenders, dinked a lovely effort over goalkeeper Alex Baird into the far corner.

TEAM

Hall, Pitt, Evers, Furnell-Gill, Enahoro-Marcus, Lonmeni (Ngumoha, 46), Bradshaw, Ayman (Ewing, 63), Sonni-Lambie, Onanuga (Ahmed, 46), O’Connor.

Unused subs: Bernard, Martin.

NEXT UP

The U18s are back in action next Saturday (September 28), with Newcastle United the visitors to the Kirkby Academy for a 1pm BST kick-off.

Subscribers can watch this game live on LFCTV GO.