Premier League 2
Leeds United U21s 2 (McGurk 72’ pen, 85’ pen)
Stoke City U21s 1 (Lowe 63’)
Leeds United U21s: Christy (GK), Moore (C), Godden (Ferguson 59’), Debayo, Mullen, Crew, Allen (Monteiro 89’), Coleman (Jenkins 63’), Thomas, McGurk, Douglas (Carole 63’). Subs not used: Ombang (GK).
Stoke City U21s: Noukeu (GK, C), Curl, McGuinness, Sidibe (Kershaw 59’), Anderson, Dixon, Reddin, Sparrow, Lowe, Jojic (Jeffers 59’), Wright-Phillips (Kelly 83’). Subs not used: Houston (GK), Kamga.
Venue: LNER Community Stadium, York
Referee: Paul Cooper
Booked: Coleman, Carole, Jenkins (Leeds), Sparrow, Noukeu, Kershaw (Stoke)
Sent off: Sparrow (Stoke)
Leeds United U21s bounced back from last week’s defeat to West Ham, coming from 0-1 down to take all three points in dramatic fashion against Stoke City, with Sean McGurk netting twice from the spot.
After a relatively uneventful first half, the game sprung in to life in the second half with all three goals coming in the last half an hour, plus a controversial red card for Stoke’s Tom Sparrow.
Michael Skubala made five changes from the side that were beaten by West Ham at Elland Road last Friday. Harry Christy returned in goal, Scott Godden and James Debayo came into the back four, with Cian Coleman coming in to partner Charlie Crew in midfield. Charlie Allen started in the right-wing role on his return from injury.
The Whites dominated possession from minute one but couldn’t find the breakthrough in a first half of few chances.
Luca Thomas had an early half chance but Stoke threw bodies in the way of his shot on the turn, after good wing play from Allen.
Allen looked really bright on his return to the team, at the forefront of the majority of things Leeds created in the first 45, terrorising Stoke’s stand in left-wing-back Dara McGuinness but ultimately saw his efforts come to nothing in the first half.
Stoke did show occasional threat on the break, with their standout player Kahrel Reddin’s pace and trickery, he saw an effort flash past the post on 40 minutes but Christy wouldn’t have to make a save in the first half.
The Whites ramped up the pressure as the half drew to a close, McGurk saw a shot blocked and Blondy Nna Noukeu flapped at an Allen cross but Leeds were unable to capitalise to take the lead before the break.
HALF TIME: Leeds United U21s 0-0 Stoke City U21s
The second half started with more of the same, Leeds dominating possession and building patiently from the back, but with a little added attacking intent. McGurk testing Noukeu within a minute of the restart with a stinging left footed strike.
Sparrow was shown his first yellow for catching Crew late on 48 minutes, which would prove to be significant later in the game.
Leeds continued to increase the pressure, Jeremiah Mullen wasn’t too far away with a strike from range and Reddin came even closer for Stoke, firing just wide after cutting inside on to his left.
McGurk then had a glorious chance to open the scoring on 56 minutes but he couldn’t find the target when one-on-one with Noukeu.
The game really sparked in to life just after the hour mark, as the visitors took the lead on the counter attack. Nathan Lowe laid the ball off to substitute Ben Kershaw, who stung the palms of Christy, Lowe stayed alert and was on hand to fire home the rebound and put Stoke 0-1 up.
Leeds set out for an immediate response and thought they had the perfect chance when the referee pointed to the spot after McGurk had appeared to have been fouled by Jaden Dixon when in on goal. Paul Cooper seemed in no doubt when he pointed to the spot, but allowed the linesman to overturn the decision.
The Potters then almost doubled their lead on 68 minutes, D’Margio Wright-Phillips hitting the crossbar with a well struck free-kick.
Three minutes later though, Leeds were level. Cooper pointing to the spot and this time it wouldn’t be overturned, Mullen with a neat turn inside the box and his cross hit the hand of Dixon. McGurk stepped up and fired his penalty beyond Noukeu, to make it 1-1.
Substitute Keenan Carole squandered a glorious chance to put Leeds in front on 76 minutes, heading wide at the back post.
Stoke were reduced to 10 men on 78 minutes, Sparrow was shown a second yellow card that left the away dugout furious. Dixon appeared to have been the one who made the foul, but Cooper showed a second yellow to Sparrow, with the referee later explaining his decision to show the second yellow card was for kicking the ball away.
Now with a man advantage, Leeds were really in the ascendancy as they searched for a winner. Noukeu made the save of the game on 80 minutes, acrobatically denying McGurk, before making a more routine save from Thomas two minutes later.
The referee pointed to the spot for a third time on 85 minutes, Dixon again at the centre of the drama as he slid in on Carole. The Stoke bench felt aggrieved once more, claiming he had got a touch on the ball but Mr Cooper was in no doubt and awarded the penalty.
McGurk once again took on the responsibility and made no mistake, opting for the same side which Noukeu guessed right and got a hand to the ball, but the Cameroonian stopper was beaten by the power.
Sean emotionally dedicated both his goals to his Uncle Ed, someone he cites as a big influence on his journey to date, who sadly passed away recently.
Leeds managed their lead well for the remainder of the 90 and seven added minutes, seeing it out in style with composed possession.
The young Whites now see a host of players leave on international duty over the next two weeks. They return to action on September 15th as they host Colchester United U21s in the opening game of their Premier League Cup campaign.
FULL TIME: Leeds United U21s 2-1 Stoke City U21s
