Continuing the theme of the recent roundups, there were plenty of positives to report on over the weekend’s action, with three wins from four matches and 11 goals scored in the process!
On Monday evening, Elland Road was at its bouncing best under the lights, roaring Daniel Farke’s men on to a 4-1 dismantling of Newcastle United. A deflected Ao Tanaka strike opened the scoring before Jayden Boge and Dominic Calvert-Lewin chipped in before the break. In the second half, Noah Okafor got in on the act with a thumping half-volley.
The Whites sit third with eight points collected from the opening four matches and afterwards, the boss was thrilled with what he had seen, commenting: “On rare occasions even for a manager, it is a joy to watch a football game, and especially his team playing. But this was one of those rare occasions so I also enjoyed my team playing tonight.
“It was an excellent performance, really, from the first to nearly the last second, and also sadly not a clean sheet in the end. But overall, a top-class performance and I am proud of my boys. We wanted to press Newcastle and wanted to dominate this game.”
In what was a tough test of their promotion credentials, our Women’s team passed with flying colours as they recorded a 4-2 victory over title-challengers Stockport County Ladies at the BD Community Stadium.
A Chloe Dixon brace put the Whites into a two-goal lead before a double from Amy Woodruff – the striker’s ninth and tenth efforts in just six games this campaign – helped United secure the victory, continuing their 100 per cent record in all competitions since the beginning of the season.
After the full-time whistle, victorious skipper Shauna Legge said: “Just really happy with the performance and how everyone has dug in together. It was a bit crazy at the end of the game there, so just really happy with the result and it is what we have been working towards. Buzzing for everyone.”
Also on Sunday, Scott Gardner’s Under-21s side bagged four of their own but they were held to a 4-4 draw with Middlesbrough Under-21s. In a match where first-teamer Ilia Gruev got some crucial minutes on his return from injury, Harvey Vincent and Freddie Lane’s goals came either side of two from in-form Carrick Njinko.
Chatting with LUTV, Gardner explained: “The second half, the way it started, we knew they would come out quickly. And the things we spoke about at half time is where they actually got the goal which is frustrating. They get the equaliser and it feels momentum is maybe shifting into their favour but to be fair to us, we got a foothold in the game again, got the fourth.
“And I felt like we would have gone on there and scored another couple – maybe the naivety of youth. I think we are showing some real progression in certain areas and then in other areas, maybe needs a little bit of focus. So, we can take lessons from today and try and improve in some areas and keep pushing in others where I thought we were excellent.”
Like Woodruff and Njinko, U18s forward Logan White has also started the new term in scintillating form. Having scored in the first four games under Rob Etherington, the attacker netted twice in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Leicester City U18s. Edward Ibrovic-Fletcher was also on target at Thorp Arch.
How does this week look?
On Sunday, our Men’s team will be aiming to make it five Premier League games unbeaten as they welcome Crystal Palace to Thorp Arch in front of the Sky Sports cameras. In the same fixture last season, the Whites ran out 4-1 victors over the Eagles.
At the same time, our Women’s side make the short trip to face West Yorkshire rivals Bradford City in the FA WNL Division One North, looking to continue their rich vein of form. After earning promotion last term, the Bantams have won two and lost two this time around.
With no U18 Premier League North action for Etherington’s team, the U21s meeting with Newcastle United at the LNER Community Stadium on Saturday is the only Academy fixture of the weekend. Tickets for that one are priced at £6 for adults and £3 for concessions. They can be bought here.
