Premier League 2
Leeds United U21 0
Stoke City U21 1 (Martin 58’)
Leeds: Ombang (GK), Lane (Firth 46’), Lienou, Howard (Morris 76’), Lopata-White, Enahoro-Marcus, Mills (Njinko 57’), Pickles, Wilson, Chadwick (C), McDonald. Subs not used: Cook (GK), Whitehead.
Stoke: Grant (GK), Agina, Giani (Martin 52’), Phillips, Otegbayo (McWilliams 62’), Gromek, Fearn, Curley (C) (Matondo 46’), Bailey (Maskall 79’), Smith, Chibueze. Subs not used: Cooper (GK).
Venue: Thorp Arch
Referee: Dale Baines
Booked: Lienou (Leeds) Agina, Matondo (Stoke)
Leeds United Under-21s fell to a first Premier League 2 defeat of 2026 as they were edged out 1-0 on home soil by Stoke City Under-21s.
Ahead of the encounter, looking to build on last weekend’s impressive victory over Reading, boss Scott Gardner made five changes to his starting XI to take on the Potters at Thorp Arch.
Stoke’s True Grant was the first goalkeeper called into action on the afternoon, diving well to gather Freddie Lane’s dangerous low cross as the wing-back, after linking up well with Callum Mills, drove into the area and looked to pick out the onrushing Marley Wilson at the front post.
Despite the Whites enjoying the lion share of possession, opposition striker Lewis Bailey went close to breaking the deadlock as he raced in behind but, trying to pick out the far corner, blazed wide.
Immediately down the other end and the Whites were somehow denied the lead. Lane, again darting away down the right, flashed an enticing delivery across the face of goal which cannoned off not one but two purple shirts, before Grant clutched the ball on the line.
Clever one-touch play between Josh McDonald and Wilson then released the latter though, baring down on goal, the forward was dispossessed by the retreating Sanchez Phillips.
Barring a curling 20-yard effort from the lively Lane that sailed over the upright, chances were few and far between until referee Dale Baines brought an attritional opening period to a close.
HALF TIME: Leeds United U21 0-0 Stoke City U21
Gardner’s team emerged from the interval with one change to the personnel. Lane’s maiden productive appearance since picking up an injury in pre-season came to an end, making way for Will Firth.
The full-back was immediately involved and almost drew first blood. Latching onto Callum Mills’ threaded pass in the area, Firth’s testing drive drew a fine save from Grant as the visitors did well to clear.
Defender Jacob Howard was next to go close, rising highest to meet an in-swinging Jayden Lienou delivery and powering a header beyond the far post.
The Whites were beginning to force the issue and impressive hold up play by Wilson allowed the striker to release Mills in behind the Potters’ backline. The attacking midfielder burst into the area but lost possession as he shaped to shoot.
The game finally began to grow into an open-ended affair approaching the hour mark. A quick move down the right flank involving Stoke’s Elliot Fearn teed the onrushing Will Smith up on the edge of the area who lashed a wild strike over Darryl Ombang’s crossbar.
A second alteration from the dugout introduced Carrick Njinko into the action, replacing the hard-working Mills. Moments later, however, Stoke took the lead when Tyler Martin profited on a mistake at the back to bundle home.
Keen to restore parity swiftly, Njinko twisted and turned away from his marker on the flank, creating space for Wilson. Cutting into a shooting position, the attacker was denied by a desperate Wiktor Gromek block for the opposition.
A final substitution brought an attacking change to the system in search of the leveller. Defender Howard made way for the creative Jack Morris as United piled bodies forward.
Leeds should have equalised when Firth found space in the middle to meet Lienou’s pinpoint cross though the defender was unable to head on target in the closing stages.
Grant then produced a remarkable reaction save to deny Wilson with almost the last touch of the game as the Whites fell to a first Premier League 2 defeat of 2026.
FULL TIME: Leeds United U21 0-1 Stoke City U21
