Premier League 2
Leeds United U21 5 (White 13’, Crampton OG 27’, Alker 73’, Hodja 75’, Cresswell 82’)
AFC Bournemouth U21 1 (Ndimukum 7’)
Leeds: Mahady (GK), Lane, Lienou, Cresswell, Egan-Riley (Howard 83’), Enahoro-Marcus, Alker (Philpott 83’), Chadwick, Njinko (Bennett 86’), Pickles (C), White (Hodja 63’). Subs not used: Ombang (GK).
Bournemouth: Crampton (GK), Drewett (Sutton 83’), Solanke, Osazee (Spence 83’), William, Scafe, Chubinidze, Dacosta, Nyarko, Stevens (C), Ndimukum (Decardi-Nelson 90’). Subs not used: Westcott (GK).
Venue: LNER Community Stadium | Referee: James Westgate | Booked: Alker (Leeds) Scafe (Bournemouth)
An outstanding second half saw Leeds United Under-21s dismantle AFC Bournemouth Under-21s in the Premier League 2.
Behind early on, Scott Gardner’s side rallied to lead at the break before three excellently-taken goals towards the end handed the Whites a convincing victory.
After an impeccably observed moment’s silence as part of Remembrance Weekend, play got underway in York. Despite the hosts dominating the possession early on, the Cherries took the lead after seven minutes.
Scotland youth international Rory Mahady had initially made a fine diving save to deny a red and black shirt from distance but Dane Ndimukum was on hand following up to bundle home the rebound.
One would have become two if not for a crucial sprawling intervention from the keeper, smothering from close range before Alfie Cresswell dived in front of another Bournemouth shot to avert the danger.
United weren’t behind for long as Logan White restored parity shortly afterwards. Sam Alker did brilliantly on half-way, releasing the attacker who raced into the area on the left and lashed powerfully beyond Kai Crampton.
The goalkeeper then made an important stop with his outstretched boot to deny Cresswell firing Gardner’s side ahead, saving well from a narrow angle. From the resulting corner, Louis Enahoro-Marcus glanced over the upright.
Crampton’s busy afternoon continued as he got down to tip Alker’s deflected cross away. The versatile forward had twisted and turned his way into the box and looked to pick out Carrick Njinko until seeing his pass cannon off a retreating opposition defender.
After two brilliant further interventions, firstly grabbing Cresswell’s header and then parrying Njinko’s one-on-one effort, a costly mistake from Crampton saw a back pass squirm under his foot and nestle in the back of the net, handing Leeds the advantage.
Approaching the half-hour mark, Eugene Nyarko struck the foot of the post for the Cherries attacking a delivery from the left while skipper Ollie Pickles went close for the Whites.
Further sights of goal came for both teams before break, including gilt-edged chances for Bournemouth’s Harold William and Jaheim Scafe from close range, but neither were able to find the target as the half-time whistle sounded.
HALF TIME: Leeds United U21 2-1 AFC Bournemouth U21
The sides emerged from the interval unchanged knowing the next goal would be crucial in the outcome of the encounter. Nyarko tried his luck from distance, stinging the palms of Mahady who made a comfortable save to his left.
Down the other end, a whipped Rhys Chadwick set-piece nearly caused the visitors problems in the middle until a red and black shirt intervened. Then, as Njinko darted into the area, the retreating Ade Solanke did just enough to shepherd the ball back to Crampton.
On the hour-mark, Cresswell and Enahoro-Marcus were on hand to clear a dangerous cross from underneath the crossbar. From the resulting corner, Jayden Lienou was brilliantly positioned to hook the ball off the line.
As Mahady dived at full-stretch to deny Nyarko’s header, Gardner turned to his bench for the first time, introducing Ditmir Hodja into the action in place of goalscorer White. That led to a change to the system as the North Macedonia youth international joined Njinko as a second striker.
The Whites extended the lead with 17 minutes of normal time remaining. Freddie Lane marauded down the right flank as he had done all afternoon and cut an inviting ball back into the path of the onrushing Alker who lashed in at the near post.
Just two minutes later, substitute Hodja put the clash to bed. This time Chadwick was the architect on the wing, sliding a low delivery across the face of goal leaving the attacker with the simplest of tasks to grab his second in as many matches.
A fifth arrived in style before the end. Referee James Westgate pointed to the spot when Njinko was sent tumbling in the area but Crampton saved Lienou’s spot-kick. Luckily for Leeds, Cresswell was on hand to arrow a sensational half-volley into the top corner, leaving the keeper no chance.
Gardner’s youngsters now head into the international break, returning to action in two weeks’ time in the Premier League Cup.
FULL TIME: Leeds United U21 5-1 AFC Bournemouth U21
