Premier League 2

Leeds United U21 1 (Philpott 68’)

Manchester United U21 2 (J Fletcher 24’, 44’)

Leeds United: Cairns (GK), Lane (Dudley 62’), Philpott, Lienou, Howard, Cresswell (C), Chambers (Alker 46’), Crew, Vincent, Pickles, Chadwick (Njinko 65’). Subs not used: Kenyon (GK), Mills.

Manchester United: Murdock (GK), Jackson, Aljofree, Fredricson (C) (Armer 46’), Kukonki, T Fletcher, Lacey (McAllister 63’), Moorhouse (Lusale 71’), Obi (Overy 86’), J Fletcher, Musa. Subs not used: Byrne-Hughes (GK).

Venue: Thorp Arch

Referee: Matthew Scholes

Booked: Dudley (Leeds United) Aljofree, J Fletcher (Manchester United)

Leeds United Under-21s fell to a narrow Premier League 2 defeat against Manchester United, despite putting in an impressive performance at Thorp Arch which brought a first goal for full-back Louie Philpott.

Play got underway on a blustery afternoon with the Whites on the front foot in testing conditions. Harvey Vincent found space on the right flank and whipped a dangerous delivery to the back post which was kept alive by the onrushing Philpott but the opposition managed to clear their lines.

It was Ollie Pickles’ turn next to float in a teasing cross which was glanced wide of the upright by England youth international Jacob Howard as Scott Gardner’s team threatened early on.

In the visitors’ first attack of the encounter, veteran goalkeeper Alex Cairns showed his experience to gather Shea Lacey’s drilled low strike from the edge of the area.

Shortly afterwards, skipper Alfie Cresswell was well placed to shepherd the ball behind as the forward looked to break in from the flank.

Manchester United took the lead courtesy of Jack Fletcher, whose deep, in-swinging cross evaded everyone in the middle and nestled in the back of the net.

The opposition would have extended their advantage if not for an impressive intervention by Cairns, diving low to his right to parry Chido Obi’s goalbound effort from 20 yards out. Sonny Aljofree then went close, heading over attacking a set piece.

The Whites searched for a leveller before the break, with Philpott in particular enjoying space down the left, but the next goal came on the stroke of half-time for the away team through Jack Fletcher’s second of the afternoon.

HALF TIME: Leeds United U21 0-2 Manchester United U21

The Whites emerged from the interval having made two changes to the personnel. U18s regulars Sam Alker and Callum Mills replaced Howard and Sam Chambers respectively.

After a slow start to the second half, with chances limited to a Lacey free-kick that crashed into the side netting, Leeds went desperately close to halving the deficit.

The recently introduced Alker did superbly to dispossess a red shirt inside the area and found Rhys Chadwick who in turn flicked on for Vincent but the attacker’s strike cannoned off the foot of the post and away from danger.

Vincent again went close on the hour mark after the ball fell to his feet following a scramble on the edge of the area, lashing a half-volley narrowly over the upright.

The hosts continued to threaten and Chadwick tested William Murdock from distance, forcing the opposition keeper into a good diving save.

Moments later, further changes introduced full-back Louie Dudley into the action in place of Freddie Lane whilst Chadwick made way for attacker Carrick Njinko.

Gardner’s side reduced the arrears in emphatic fashion through the hard-working Philpott. Following an electric break down the left-flank, the full-back drilled a superb powerful drive into the top corner from a narrow angle, giving the Whites a lifeline heading into the final 20 minutes.

Clever link up between Mills and Jayden Lienou then released the latter. The Wales youth international hooked a dangerous delivery towards the back post which was headed behind by the retreating Godwill Kukonki.

From the resulting set piece, having already netted a memorable finish, Philpott nearly did it again as he saw a powerful volley from the edge of the area blocked by a red shirt.

After a Cresswell fizzing cross then ricocheted off Kukonki, Njinko rose highest to direct the looping ball on target which was gathered gratefully by Murdock.

The Whites threw everything forward in the closing stages but were unable to level proceedings before the final whistle sounded.

Gardner’s U21s round off the Premier League 2 campaign next weekend as they welcome Leicester City to the LNER Community Stadium.

FULL TIME: Leeds United U21 1-2 Manchester United U21