A very eventful weekend in the U18 PL North, with goals, chaos at the top of the table, amazing away days. Join me as I cover it all in this article and write the most important talking points in the coming weeks as the U18 PL ballers prepare for the March internationals!
GAME 1: MANCHESTER UNITED U18S 3-0 BLACKBURN ROVERS U18S
Goals: JJ Gabriel PEN 61', Kai Rooney 68', Jim Thwaites 75'
Man Utd lined up with a strong XI, and looked to pick up another win at Carrington. A goalless first half came around, with Man Utd coming closest through Louie Bradbury who hit the post from a tight angle. Then in the 61st minute, Darren Fletcher's side hit the front through England U17 JJ Gabriel who neatly slotted his penalty into the bottom right corner sending the Blackburn GK the wrong way. Then Kai Rooney would find the target next. He doubled United's advantage through a left footed effort which bundled under the Rovers keeper. Then finally midfield maestro Jim Thwaites rounded off a class win at Carrington to make it three. They now sit level with Man City at the top of the U18 PL North.
GAME 2: MIDDLESBROUGH U18S 1-2 LEEDS UNITED U18S
Goals: Boro: Lucas Harrison 48' Leeds: Zach Hitchen 32', Oliver Bennett 57'
Leeds United would take all three points at Rockliffe Park and it would be England U15 winger Zach Hitchen who broke the deadlock after an assist from England U17 Liam Balmer who has recently left Liverpool. Balmer's cross would leave a tap in for Hitchen who scored on his debut at U18 level, Hitchen is an U15 player who started in the attack alongside fellow U15 forward Bailey Watling. Hitchen's 32nd minute goal gave Leeds the advantage. But it would be Middlesbrough who would level proceedings in this U18 PL North battle. In the 48th minute, Lucas Harrison was on target, set up by Tyler Smith to draw Boro level. With things all square, Leeds' Oliver Bennett put Leeds in front and Leeds would go on to see out a huge win in the U18 PL North.
GAME 3: BURNLEY U18S 2-2 MANCHESTER CITY U18S
Goals: Burnley: Kian McMahon-Brown 14', Albert Blackie 90+5' Man City: Teddie Lamb 74', Karim Cassim 82'
A great U18 PL North affair in Lancashire. Burnley who had been lacking points this season brought table toppers Man City to a draw. Ireland U17 Kian McMahon-Brown had Burnley in front after 14 minutes. After a tight game, Man City equalized through England U17 Teddie Lamb's scissor kick effort from Kylan Midwood's inch perfect delivery. Eight minutes later, England U17 Karim Cassim's absolute thunderbolt effort found the top left corner, some way to celebrate your England U17 call up! But guess what? We're not done there, with one last roll of the dice, Burnley found a late equalizer in the 95th minute through Albert Blackie! Ending in an absolute thriller at the Burnley FC Training Ground.
GAME 4: DERBY COUNTY U18S 0-3 STOKE CITY U18S
Goals: Ryan Liu 70', Tom Midwood 82', Connor Day 90+2'
A comfortable victory at Moor Farm for the Young Potters. After a stalemate first half, Stoke would take the lead through in form striker Ryan Liu who has had a great start to 2026. Similarly to other Stoke forward Tom Midwood who happened to find Stoke's second goal in the contest, Liu set up the goal. Finally, Connor Day would wrap up the victory in the 92nd minute sealing all three points. Despite the 3-0 defeat, Derby did have a positive. England U15 striker Blake Henry who has scored over 40 goals for Derby this season, and England U15 goalkeeper Arlo Tye both were involved in the action, Tye starting and Henry on the bench. But a great win for Stoke overall.
GAME 5: SUNDERLAND U18S 4-3 LIVERPOOL U18S
Goals: Sunderland: Marcus Neill 28', Lewis Campbell 49', Tom Proctor 53', Triziano Wilson 61' Liverpool: Vincent Joseph 11', Lamore Forrester 13', Lenix Conde 90+2'
An eventful fixture at the Academy Of Light results in a 7 goal thriller. Liverpool hit the front early, with England U16 Vincent Joseph scoring on his U18 debut. Liverpool would then double their lead through La'more Forrester. But with things looking down for Sunderland, The Young Black Cats found a 28th minute goal through Liverpool's biggest nightmare Marcus Neill. Three minutes after half time, Sunderland drew level through Lewis Campbell and four minutes later would take the lead through talent Tom Proctor. Sunderland would finish off the game in the 61st minute after Triziano Wilson netted for them. However, Lenix Conde found a consolation for Liverpool in the 92nd minute, but this didn't change the outcome, big three points for Sunderland.
GAME 6: EVERTON U18S 4-2 NEWCASTLE UNITED U18S
Goals: Jake Doughty 12,43', Charlie Stewart 17', Jonathan Nsangou 20' Newcastle: Ethan Ndiweni 52,63'
An absolute goal fest at Finch Farm. 6 goals in one game, 4 in 1 half. The game started fast, with the toffees racing into a 2 goal lead thanks to an early opener from England U16 Jake Doughty and Scottish winger Charlie Stewart after 17 minutes. By the 20th minute mark, Everton lead by three after England U16 striker Jonathan Nsangou added to their tally. Then at the halfway point, Everton had four with Doughty on target again. With no more Everton goals it was time for Newcastle to score, Ethan Ndiweni bagged an 11 minute brace, but the full time score ended 4-2 to the Young Toffees.
GAME 7: NOTTINGHAM FOREST U18S 2-2 WOLVES U18S
Goals: Basima Balagizi 37,61' Wolves: Jake Wilcox 71', Myles Dayman 90+1'
An eventful draw at the Forest Academy. Forest opened the scoring through Basima Balagizi after 37 minutes, with Forest in the lead at Half time, after 61 minutes, Balagizi added to his tally again doubling Forest's lead! But, 10 minutes later, Jake Wilcox pulled one back for Wolves, however, we're not done there. In the dying embers, Myles Dayman drew Wolves level and allowed them to walk away with a huge point.
