Two second-half goals saw United's U18s deservedly earn their first three points of the FA Premier League Academy season with a dominant performance against their Yorkshire rivals at Shirecliffe on Saturday.

The Blades fielded two trialists, Nathan Cook, who opened the scoring and Josh Greening from the Scarborough Provision Centre, as United continue to look far and wide both in the UK and abroad for talented youngsters to join their much coveted Academy.

Nathaniel Foster added a second and the result was never in doubt.

The home side began as they meant to go on, with Maguire starting a move from the back that ended with Pomares teeing up the returning Chappell, who fired just wide.

United were stamping their authority on the game with Foster's power causing the visitors backline no end of problems, and it was the striker who narrowly failed to get on the end of Murray's pinpoint centre.

At half-time United's coaching staff urged the youngsters to maintain the level of performance shown in the first-half and take the game by the scruff of the neck.

In the 52nd minute they powered into a much deserved lead. COOK unleashed a tremendous volley that rocketed into the back of the net.

Leeds responded immediately and Billard was at his best to turn away a dipping free-kick.

United continued to look for a second and that duly arrived in the 58th minute. A terrific counter-attack caught the Leeds defence on the hop and Chappell freed FOSTER, who gleefully applied the finishing touch.

Foster came close to adding a second after a great sole run, before heading over a cross from the influential Murray.

Pomares nearly capped an impressive display with a goal, with Greening and Slew also coming close, as an offside flag harshly denied James a third late on.

Senior Academy coaches Ron Reid and Kevin Fogg were understandably ecstatic not just with the win, but with the style of play and general application of the youngsters:

"We were delighted by the execution of our passing and that is something the Academy prides itself on," said the duo.

"The result is immensely encouraging and the win will give the lads the confidence their performance deserves.

"We are hoping that we can add some consistency and continuity into the setup as we look to take these players onto the next stage of their development."

Blades: Billard, Brown, Roe, Cook, Kennedy, Maguire, Chappell (James 60), Murray, Foster (Slew 80), Greening, Pomares.
Unused: Andrew Darlow, Gregory.