Premier League 2
Leeds United U21 0
Middlesbrough U21 2 (Finch 53’, Stott pen 90’)
Leeds: Mahady (GK), Firth (McDonald 61’), Ferguson, Monteiro, Debayo, Moore (Howard 86’), Vincent, Pickles, Douglas (C) (Simo 86’), Richards, Nfonkeu (Boast 77’). Subs not used: Grainger (GK).
Middlesbrough: Fisher (GK), Dede, Samuels, Sykes (Lindo 69’), McCormick (C), James, Lennon (Patterson-Powell 71’), McCabe, Finch (Palmer 61’), Stott, Acheampong. Subs not used: Elliott (GK), Harrison.
Venue: LNER Community Stadium
Referee: Paul Cooper
Booked: Douglas (Leeds) Samuels, Stott (Middlesbrough)
Leeds United Under-21s fell to a defeat on home soil against Middlesbrough Under-21s, despite dominating in large parts against the Teesside outfit in the Premier League 2.
Scott Gardner’s side went into the encounter on the back of a thoroughly impressive 2-1 victory over Altrincham, which saw the Whites progress to the final of the National League Cup.
Keen to build on that display, the hosts started brightly and went close to taking the lead in the opening few seconds when a pinpoint pass from Rory Mahady found Connor Ferguson in behind the Boro backline.
The left-back raced to the edge of the area and squared it for captain on the night Connor Douglas who, at the second time of asking, forced a sublime save from Nathan Fisher before seeing a follow up effort somehow headed off the line.
United recycled possession well and Ferguson was again at the heart of the action, crossing low for the onrushing Harvey Vincent though, with the aid of a deflection, his low strike trickled agonisingly past the upright.
Oliver Pickles was next to go close, heading over after rising highest to meet Douglas’ swirling delivery after the Whites broke over halfway through Brooklyn Nfonkeu, who in turn found the skipper.
Leeds were dominating in the game’s infancy and were desperately unlucky not to take the lead when an inventive chip from Nfonkeu released Vincent.
Charging down on goal, the winger lobbed a great effort which sailed over Fisher and looked destined to find the back of the net until taking a remarkable bounce to loop up onto the crossbar and somehow away from danger.
Approaching the half-hour mark, the Boro keeper’s services were again called upon, firstly clutching a bobbling low Ferguson drive, with a desperate retreating challenge from Oliver Samuels then denying the in-form Diogo Monteiro.
The Portuguese youth international defender, on the evening deployed in a midfield role, then had a great chance to open the scoring after meeting Kris Moore’s header six yards out however, under pressure, Monteiro was unable to make meaningful contact with the ball.
HALF TIME: Leeds United U21 0-0 Middlesbrough U21
Both teams emerged from the break unchanged and still searching for the game’s opening goal. The visitors came close early into the second period through midfielder Law McCabe, lashing a bouncing ball wide of the upright after the Whites had half-cleared Charlie Lennon’s corner to the edge of the area.
Despite Gardner’s side dominating in the first half, Middlesbrough took the lead through striker Sonny Finch, who was well placed to bundle home from close range, after Mahady had initially made a superb save to deny Jack Stott’s low strike.
Looking to respond, Gardner turned to his bench with lively attacker Josh McDonald introduced into the action, replacing full-back Will Firth in an alteration to the system.
Leeds went close shortly afterwards as a Pickles free kick picked out the onrushing Moore at the back post, though the defender was unable to guide his header on target.
McDonald’s driving runs were beginning to cause Boro problems and his pass to the flank found the overlapping Joe Richards who, trying to set up Nfonkeu, saw a dangerous delivery diverted behind by a red shirt.
With a quarter of an hour remaining, the Teesside outfit almost extended their lead as Lennon drove into the area, with James Debayo on hand for the Whites to make a crucial block to smother the opportunity.
Lennon again threatened a second moments later, this time denied by a fine sprawling save by Mahady at point-blank range.
United upped the tempo as they searched for a leveller and the high-pressing saw Pickles win back possession inside the Middlesbrough half and in turn fizz a pass into Vincent.
Out on the left flank, the forward twisted and turned inside before unleashing a fierce drive that sailed narrowly past Fisher’s far post.
Further reinforcements from the bench came with Oliver Boast, Jacob Howard and Elton Simo all introduced, but it would be the away side that sealed proceedings when Stott scored from the spot after Boro had been awarded a penalty for an alleged handball deep into injury time.
FULL TIME: Leeds United U21 0-2 Middlesbrough U21
