Leeds Player Ratings: Leeds u18 8 - 2 MK Dons u18

Leeds United’s u18 side put their struggles in the league to one side as they hammered MK Dons 8-2 in the FA Youth Cup. For a fuller recap, click here.

Leeds looked a cut above their opponents in the first half and got the goals to show for it. Joe Snowdon gave the Whites the lead with a good low finish across the keeper, before Morten Spencer doubled the advantage with a deflected shot from distance.

MK Dons had Josh Bailey sent off for a late tackle on Keenan Carole at 2-0, and it looked like a very harsh decision where a yellow would have sufficed. Leeds made it 3-0 soon after when Max McMillan picked up the ball in the box from Keenan Carole, before producing an excellent Cruyff turn and finish into the far corner.

MK Dons got one back through James Holmes after Connor Teale failed to clear a cross, but Leeds restored their three goal advantage soon after. Alfie Hughes beat two players to drive into the box before setting up Cian Coleman who finished well to make it 4-1.

Leeds started the second half strongly and got their fifth early on. Substitute Billy Fewster got in down the right and pulled the ball back for Joe Snowdon to get his second of the game, Max McMillan got his second just after the hour mark to make it 6-1.

Billy Fewster got on the scoresheet himself for Leeds seventh after fellow substitute Jimiel Chikukwa set him up with good work down the right. Chikukwa got in on the act himself with an excellent goal to make it eight in the closing stages. Tali Jallow got another consolation for MK Dons late on but it couldn’t take the shine off a very good Leeds performance.

STARTING LINEUP

Harry Christy - Off his line well early on to deal with a backpass which was left short. Not at fault for the goal. Made a good save with 10 minutes to go. Nealry saved the late consolation but it would have been an incredible save, no fault for it going in. 6.5/10

Harvey Sutcliffe - Looked solid in defence and made the most of his chances to attack when he moved to a more orthodox right-back role. 7.5/10

Connor Teale - Almost played Christy into trouble early on. Will be disappointed to have mis-hit a clearance which allowed MK Dons to get one back. Those moments aside, looked good in the middle of the defence and looked confident coming out with the ball. 7.5/10

Sam Leverett - Not forced into much defensive work, looked good on the ball. 7/10

Ethan Kachosa - Always willing to attack from deep. and overlapped excellently down the right. Moved to left back in the second half, took a few minutes to adjust but then became a threat down that side. His pace was a constant issue for the MK Dons players. Would hate to play against him. 8.5/10

Cian Coleman - Came into the game more and more as the first half went on. Scored Leeds fourth with a good finish under pressure from the MK Dons defence. 7.5/10

Alfie Hughes - Ran with the ball a lot and looked good doing so, Leeds fourth goal being the best example which he set up for Coleman. 8/10

Morten Spencer - Aided by a deflection for his goal to make it 2-0, good ability on the ball to beat his man before that shot. Read the game well leading to a fair few interceptions and showed an excellent range of passing. Went off injured early in the second half, hopefully nothing too serious. 8.5/10

Max McMillan - Lovely goal to make it 3-0, a Cruyff turn followed by a quality finish. Also scored Leeds’ sixth with a powerful near post finish. Movement was excellent throughout. Booked for diving but it looked like an incorrect refereeing decision. 8.5/10

Joe Snowdon - Good, composed finish to put Leeds 1-0 up. Always looked good on the ball and like a threat. Got his second early in the second half. Always willing to drop deep and get on the ball and always wanted the ball. Looks a real talent who really wants to dictate the game. 8.5/10

Keenan Carole - Good ability to beat players and looked to play incisive passes, including the one to set up McMillan for Leeds third goal. Good, but outshined by a few teammates on this occasion. 7.5/10

SUBSTITUTES

Billy Fewster (for Spencer, 50mins) - Straight into the action with an assist for Snowdon’s second of the game before the scoring Leeds’ seventh. 7.5/10

Jimiel Chikukwa (for Hughes, 70mins) - Made a few good runs that weren’t found by teammates. Good assist for goal number seven. Scored an excellent goal to make it eight, beat two players before finishing well. 8/10

Max Rigby (for Coleman, 79mins) - Booked immediately but it was a good, clean tackle. N/A