Football: Smithard seals cup for Leeds
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Leeds United. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Manchester United. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
(Leeds win 4-1 on aggregate)
MANCHESTER United, trailing 2-0 from the first leg, found a comeback beyond them at Elland Road last night as a well- organised Leeds won the FA Youth Cup for the first time before a crowd of more than 31,000.
Hailed as the most talented youngsters at Old Trafford since the Busby Babes, Manchester conceded an early goal to an example of individual brilliance and the destination of the trophy was never thereafter in doubt.
The test facing Manchester was as likely to involve character as technical flair but Monday's party-poopers had been prepared as soundly as they had for the first leg and the away side were allowed little room for fancy manoeuvres.
Leeds discovered no such handicaps when they went forward and they extended their aggregate lead to 3-0 in the 12th minute. Jamie Forrester, with his back to goal in a thinly populated penalty area, scored with a spectacular overhead kick after Noel Whelan had won the jump for Mark Tinkler's free-kick.
Forrester was afforded similar freedom eight minutes later and although Darren Whitmarsh narrowed the angle to deny the striker another goal the omens did not look promising for Manchester.
They did, however, restore a tenuous foothold when Paul Scholes converted a 29th-minute penalty but within a minute their defence was painfully pulled apart again. Whelan's height was once more a telling factor in setting up Matthew Smithard to drill an angled shot beyond Whitmarsh's reach and regain the three-goal advantage.
Leeds United: Pettinger; Couzens, Sharp, Tinkler, Daly, Bowman (Tobin, 74), Smithard, Ford, Whelan, Oliver (Byrne, 84), Forrester.
Manchester United: Whitmarsh; Neville, Riley, Casper, Neville, Gillespie, Scholes, Beckham, Irving, Savage, Thornley. Subtitutes not used: Murdoch, Rawlinson.
Referee: P Durkin (Dorset).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments