AcademyU18s match report: Josh Abe scores hat-trick in Liverpool win over Leeds

Lucas Clarke, Josh Sonni-Lambie and Prince Cisse also scored as the Reds secured three points in the U18 Premier League North contest.

The visitors to the Kirkby Academy started on the front foot as Callum Mills fired over the bar in an early warning shot.

Liverpool goalkeeper Kornel Misciur was then forced into several saves to keep Leeds out, denying Jack Morris and then Loui Whitehead from close range.

The Reds responded when Erik Farkas struck the crossbar following a storming run from midfield to work the chance.

Shortly after the half-hour mark the deadlock was broken. Liverpool had grown into the contest and opened the scoring via Abe.

An inch-perfect pass from Haydn Murray-Holme split the defence, allowing the attacker to drive in and finish.

Joe Bradshaw almost added a second ahead of half-time, seeing a fierce strike tipped onto the post by Leeds stopper Robert Cook.

Following the interval, however, the home team netted twice quickly to take greater command.

Clarke pounced at a corner to score, producing a great finish after the ball wasn’t cleared following the initial delivery.

Abe then grabbed his second of the afternoon, receiving the ball on the right, beating his man and superbly converting inside the area.

He didn't have to wait long to seal his hat-trick either, scoring his third and Liverpool’s fourth just shy of the hour.

Farkas found the run of substitute Oliver O'Connor, who drove into the box on the right side to find Abe and he finished well once more.

Next, Sonni-Lambie got on the scoresheet for his 20th goal of the season.

Abe again played a crucial role, intercepting Leeds before sprinting forward and supplying his teammate, with Sonni-Lambie turning to score.

Liverpool then won a penalty via substitute AJ Yeguo, though Sonni-Lambie saw his effort saved by Cook after the goalkeeper guessed correctly to push away his effort.

But the Reds did still add a sixth as Cisse converted a pullback from O'Connor, who had beaten two players on the right to deliver.

Sonni-Lambie then hit the post after Farkas played a ball through beyond the defence, while Leeds' consolation effort came from Sam Alker from close range in the final minutes.

Team

Liverpool: Misciur, Esdaille (O'Connor, 46), Powney Wain, Cisse, Clarke, Murray-Holme (Yeguo, 62), Abe (Lee Forrester, 62), Upton, Sonni-Lambie, Farkas, Bradshaw (Ayman, 70).

Unused sub: M. Wright.

Next up

The Reds return to U18 Premier League North action with a trip to face Blackburn Rovers on Saturday February 21.

Kick-off is scheduled for 11am GMT at the Blackburn Rovers Football Academy.