Junior Football: Whites chalk up '˜double' over shot-shy Seasiders

Bradley Wood and Kron Abdiu were both denied by the post before Leeds went 1-0 up through an own goal.

The Whites then upped the pace in the second period with a quick brace from Abdiu followed by a Ben Moss strike and fifth Leeds goal for Bradley Pride, who tapped home after Abdiu’s unselfish square ball.

Wood bagged his second of the day in the third period with the gloss on victory provided by a late brace from Sam Appleyard with two 20-yard screamers.

Elsewhere, Leeds City Boys Under-14s survived a late scare to enjoy progression in the Greater Manchester Cup with a 3-1 success at home to Salford.

After a bright beginning, an Owen Hindley corner was headed home by Lewis Branton to give the hosts the lead. Salford were stung into action and gained a stronger foothold in the game but Harry Sykes and Sam Bolter were solid in defence for Leeds.

The second half started in a similar vein and the Leeds midfield of Matty Kyle, Liam Ormsby and Hindley had to work hard to keep Salford in check.

Yet despite good build-up play from both teams, Harry Dalziel and his counterpart only really had one save each to make as the game progressed.

Matty Swift was having an excellent game at full-back for Leeds in both defence and attack and eventually Leeds won a corner. The delivery was slightly overhit but Branton chased the ball and delivered an overhead cross back into the box which fell perfectly for Haleem Comrie to stab home from six yards.

Leeds then had a great chance to make it 3-0 with a flowing move that ended with Ormsby firing over from the edge of the box.

Salford upped the pace and got their reward from a throw-in that made its way to an unmarked striker who slid home.

A nervous last five minutes for Leeds could have gone wrong but the referee ignored a strong Leeds challenge in the box and relief was gained in the final minute when Alfie Procter fired into the top corner from outside the box.

Elsewhere, Harrogate & Craven Under-14s’ league title campaign was brought to an abrupt end as they suffered a crushing 7-0 defeat in their penultimate game at Sheffield Schoolboys.

Harrogate were dealt a blow midway through the first half when central defender Connor Davis was forced to retire through injury. Moments later, the reigning league champions opened the scoring with a well-executed move from the heart of midfield. Harrogate were then 3-0 down at the break and 4-0 behind shortly after the restart on the back of a clinical counter-attack.

Liam Whyte and Will Powell came close to maintaining Harrogate’s record of scoring in every match this season, but they were denied by an in-form keeper between the Sheffield posts.

The South Yorkshire outfit rounded off an outstanding performance and sealed their fourth successive league title with three further second-half goals.

Harrogate assistant coach Will Golby admitted: “We were up against a side that was solid and much more organised. The result has cost us the title but the boys will bounce back.”

In the Harrogate & District Junior League, Kirkstall Crusaders Under-16s made it seven wins out of seven with a 6-0 success at home to league leaders Kirk Deighton Rangers Under-16s.

Paddy McGill’s hat-trick was supported by strikes from Hakkinen Anani, Eliels Anku and Rinor Ejupi to leave Kirkstall nine points off top but with eight games in hand.

Kirkstall Crusaders Under-14s maintained their unbeaten record in Division C with a 4-1 triumph at Leyburn Under-14s in their first game since November 8.

Kirkstall took a depleted team up the A1, starting the game with ten men and finishing the contest with nine after Lewis Binder came off injured.

Nevertheless, a fine four-goal haul from Zak Yasir, ably assisted by Glenn Mazyondo and Maty Mather, put Crusaders firmly in control.

Leyburn then produced a spirited comeback that had Kirkstall man of the match Owen Thompson and captain Oli Wigglesworth performing heroics to keep the strikers at bay.

Defenders Adam Javed and Jay Clifford threw themselves in front of every ball with Kyle Baptiste also mopping up to good effect as well.