U21s encounter all square after eight-goal thriller

Middlesbrough U21 4 (Ibeh 33′, 51′, 88′; Enahoro-Marcus OG 63′)

Leeds United U21 4 (Vincent 5′, Njinko 29′, 30′; Lane 71′)

Middlesbrough: Connor (GK), Tika-Lemba (Smith 78′), Bangura (Patterson-Powell 64′), Dede, Edmundson (Wilson 64′), Okunola, Hinneh, Greenup, Ibeh, McCabe (C), Coulson (Campbell 72′). Subs not used: Bernard (GK), Wager.

Leeds: Mahady (GK), Vincent, Lienou, Howard, Enahoro-Marcus, Trialist (Philpott 59′), McDonald, Pickles, Njinko (Render 46′), Lane, Gruev (Howson 84′). Subs not used: Cook (GK), Hodja, Matykiewicz.

Venue: Heritage Park | Referee: Callum Jones

Despite a Carrick Njinko brace on Teesside against Middlesbrough Under-21s, Leeds United Under-21s were held to a high-scoring draw in the Premier League 2.

The encounter at Heritage Park also provided valuable minutes for first-team player Ilia Gruev, as the Bulgarian continues to work his way back to full fitness after a lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury.

The Whites took the lead in the opening few minutes with Harvey Vincent following up Tuesday evening’s goal against Solihull Moors in the National League Cup with a fine finish into the bottom corner on Teesside.

Skipper Ollie Pickles had initially threaded a fine pass through for the versatile attacker who drove into the area before cutting onto his left foot and drilling low beyond the despairing dive of Shea Connor.

Looking for a quickfire response, Boro’s Cruz Ibeh struck a powerful free kick around the wall which called Rory Mahady into action. The Scotland youth international got down well to parry the effort around the post.

Lively forward Njinko, whose four goals in the opening two PL2 fixtures saw him shortlisted for August’s Player of the Month, then very nearly profited on a short Middlesbrough back pass but Connor raced out to gather split seconds before the attacker could get there.

Approaching the half-hour mark, the hosts broke down the right flank through Ezra Tika-Lemba. Twisting and turning his way into the area, the full-back’s dragged strike crashed into the side netting from close range.

The Whites doubled their advantage through the in-form Njinko. Pickles was again instrumental in the build-up, winning possession and producing a fine turn to escape his marker. The captain worked the ball out to Freddie Lane who floated an inviting delivery towards the near post which the attacker rose highest to meet, powering into the corner!

Just moments after the restart, the forward had his second and United’s third. Judging the bounce of a long ball superbly, Njinko played an incisive one-two with Vincent and finished confidently beyond Connor.

The Teessiders pull one back through Ibeh’s glancing header. Despite a couple of chances for Gardner’s side to restore their three-goal cushion, the home team’s defence stood firm until Callum Jones’ half-time whistle sounded.

HALF TIME: Middlesbrough U21 1-3 Leeds United U21

Leeds emerged from the interval with one change to the personnel as Jacob Render replaced Njinko in a switch to the attacking line. The hosts started the brighter of the two and further reduced the arrears through Ibeh once more, bundling home just yards out.

With the game as open ended as they come with both teams throwing everyone forward in search of the next goal, Mahady made an important stop to deny Ibeh a hattrick, saving a low drive well with his feet.

On the hour mark, with the Whites looking to reestablish control of proceedings, Gardner turned to Louie Philpott from the bench, coming on at left-back. The substitution almost proved an inspired one within seconds but the defender was unable to tuck in the rebound after Render had struck the woodwork attacking a Vincent delivery.

Boro restored parity when Louis Enahoro-Marcus’ attempted clearance wrongfooted Mahady and nestled in the far corner but the visitors weren’t level for to long, retaking the lead through a thunderous Lane drive!

Gruev was the architect, charging into opposition territory before picking out the run of Lane. On the edge of the area, the matchwinner last time out unleashed a rasping effort that cannoned off the underside of the crossbar and in!

United still had to be wary of the Teessiders’ threat, however, with substitute Rio Patterson-Powell going close from distance. Next, Enahoro-Marcus atoned for his previous mistake with a crucial goalline clearance to deny Layton Campbell. Middlesbrough did level though through Ibeh’s third of the afternoon late on.

That proved the final action of an enthralling Premier League 2 encounter with neither side unable to snatch all three points in the closing stages in the North East.

FULL TIME: Middlesbrough U21 4-4 Leeds United U21