Leyton United FC title charge!

Leyton United U11/12s continued their unbeaten run and extended their lead at the top of the Saturday Youth Football League table with a slender 1-0 win over Pedro FC U11/12s. A fine individual goal just before half-time was all that separated the two sides on Saturday afternoon at Hackney Marshes.
Despite having recently released four players, Pedro FC started brightly and exploited the wings well in the opening exchanges. Joseph nearly put them ahead after Leyton conceded an indirect free-kick after 25 minutes, but his shot was blocked after some brave defending by the opposition.
However, the Reds took the lead just before the end of the first half after a fantastic solo run from their number 10. He danced past a couple of defenders just outside the penalty area before squeezing a strike into the bottom left corner and put the top-of-the-table side ahead.
The encounter grew increasingly open in the second period as the rain began to fall. Pedro FC should have equalised after 42 minutes but they had a shot cleared off the line and were unlucky not to level things moments later after McKenzie nutmegged his man and shot wide.
It could have been 2-0 soon after, as a swift counter-attack by Leyton put them through on goal, but the Blues goalkeeper did well to tip over a curling effort for a corner kick. The ball in was a good delivery, but was cleared well.
Pedro FC’s wingers showed good pace and trickery down the left and right hand-side as they tried to help their team get back into the game, and one of them nearly made things level as McKenzie did well to bend a near post effort on target.
Unfortunately for them, the Leyton goalkeeper was in fine form and held well from close range. The other winger also put in a good performance ahead of his trial at Brentford next week.
Centre-back Josh, who was only making his second appearance for Pedro, made some terrific tackles to deny Leyton from doubling their lead as he commanded the backline with his towering presence on the playing field.
In the end, Pedro FC just could not break Leyton down, with the latter going eight points clear prior to their rivals’ results being accounted for. Meanwhile, Pedro FC remain in tenth position and their manager Chris was adamant about what his team need to improve on.
“What we need to improve on is team discipline and formation, and keeping our shape. Young boys always have a tendency to chase the ball. At this age it’s all about disciplining them in the fact that it’s a team game. It’s more about instilling that in them.”