Leeds United under-18's reach play-offs following Ipswich win

Leeds United’s Under-18s have reached their divisional play-offs after an 18th win of the season at home to Ipswich Town.

Mark Jackson’s side claimed a 3-0 victory at Thorp Arch yesterday to book their place in the semi-finals and extend their winning run to six matches.

The result left United joint top of the northern half of the Professional Development League, level with Bolton Wanderers who hold a game in hand.

Bolton have already qualified for the play-offs, along with southern section leaders Crystal Palace. Charlton Athletic look set to complete the line-up for the end of season knock-outs.

United’s Under-18s have progressed rapidly after finishing third bottom in the table last season. That campaign was affected by a shortage of academy players, forcing a number of prominent Under-18 squad members to feature for the Under-23s instead.

Leeds, however, made a large number of additions to their development squad over the summer and speaking to the YEP last month, academy manager Adam Underwood said: “For the majority of the 23s games last season, a lot of 18s were having to fulfil what we’d normally expect young pros to do.

“It had a knock on effect with the results and it was too much for a lot of them - a great experience but it was a losing team.

“That’s the one thing that’s really changed - the whole environment around the 23s and the 18s. There were 18s getting pushed up which was decimating them. Now we’ve got two, full healthy groups.”

First-half goals from Theo Hudson, Nohan Kenneh and Niall Huggins set United up for a straightforward win over Ipswich and Leeds are due to wrap up their regular season away at Bolton Wanderers on Friday. A victory over Bolton could see Jackson’s side top the division.