Premier League 2
Leeds United U21 2 (Chadwick 70’, Cresswell 90’)
Norwich City U21 1 (Forbes 17’)
Leeds: Ombang (GK), Douglas, Ferguson, Cresswell (C), Monteiro, Moore, Nfonkeu, Chadwick, Vincent (Firth 46’), McFadden (Pickles 86’), McDonald (Lane 76’). Subs not used: Kenyon (GK), Morris.
Norwich: Barden (GK), Okwumo, Shipley, Adelusi, Wilson (C), Djedje (Chilvers 61’), Mundle-Smith, Bridge, Jones (Roberts 90’), Manning, Forbes (Williams 66’). Subs not used: Craven (GK), Brooke.
Venue: LNER Community Stadium
Referee: James Westgate
Booked: Cresswell, Ferguson, McFadden (Leeds) Okwumo, Adelusi (Norwich)
Sent-off: Shipley (Norwich)
Leeds United Under-21s fought from a goal behind to earn a stunning last-gasp victory against Norwich City Under-21s at the LNER Community Stadium, thanks to captain Alfie Cresswell’s header deep into second-half stoppage time.
Looking to build on positive results in recent weeks against Chelsea and Derby County, the Whites started on the front foot; intricate play down the left almost saw Max McFadden wriggle into space inside the area, only for a yellow shirt to desperately hack clear.
The visitors, themselves keen to stamp their authority on the game’s early stages, then worked a clever free kick to Adian Manning 20 yards from goal, though a bobble ensured the forward skewed a left-footed effort high and wide of the upright.
Scott Gardner’s side were finding success down the left flank particularly and a weaving run from McFadden, twisting and turning his way into the box before flashing a ball across the face of goal, almost brought an opener when his delivery cannoned off Charlie Wilson and sailed over the bar.
Despite the fast start from United, the visitors took the lead courtesy of Brandon Forbes after the winger raced into space and drilled low into the corner beyond the despairing dive of Darryl Ombang.
The goalkeeper had to be alert moments later as the ball ricocheted off the retreating Connor Douglas and bounced goalward, calling the stopper into an acrobatic save to avert the danger.
Searching for a quickfire response, a pinpoint long pass from Ombang sent skipper Cresswell in behind the Canaries’ backline but, from a narrow angle, the versatile midfielder was unable to work Dan Barden in the Norwich goal.
Shortly before referee James Westgate brought the opening 45 minutes to a close, Forbes went close to grabbing a second, firing over after again cleverly working space on the left for the away side.
HALF TIME: Leeds United U21 0-1 Norwich City U21
The Whites emerged for the second half with a change in personnel as Will Firth replaced Harvey Vincent, moving Douglas into a more advanced role.
The visitors had the first opportunity after the break when Aidan Bridge, cutting onto his left-foot, curled a powerful effort narrowly over the upright as the midfielder looked to pick out the top corner from distance.
Norwich then went even closer to extending their lead as Dylan Jones profited on a loose pass at the back from United, forcing Ombang into a sublime intervention as the keeper tipped a rasping drive onto the post, before Forbes was unable to direct a rebound attempt on target following up.
Errol Mundle-Smith was next to set his sights on the Leeds goal, again firing over from the edge of the area after a quick break from Olly Lee’s side, with Lewis Shipley then heading wide from a set-piece.
Momentum in the encounter was to shift just after the hour-mark, when defender Shipley received his marching orders after a poor challenge on Cresswell in the middle of the park.
Gardner’s side almost seized the initiative immediately as McDonald drew a fine save from the outstretched boot of Barden. From the resulting corner, Rhys Chadwick’s testing in-swinging delivery caused the keeper all sorts of problems as the ball flashed across the face of goal and somehow bounced away from danger.
When Brooklyn Nfonkeu dragged an effort narrowly wide, Norwich didn’t heed the warning and the Whites levelled proceedings moments later. A slick move down the right saw midfielder Chadwick well placed to fire home a leveller from close range!
Nfonkeu’s influence was beginning to really grow as the game entered its dying stages, firstly threading a pass in behind for Connor Ferguson to drill agonisingly wide, before teeing up a Douglas strike that deflected kindly into the arms of Barden.
With the Canaries putting every available body behind the ball, Barden was again involved, this time making an outstanding fingertip save to tip substitute Oliver Pickles’ fierce shot somehow onto the post in what seemed to be the final action of an enthralling encounter.
There was a twist in the tale yet, however, when Cresswell rose highest at the back post to glance home a winner with the last touch of the game, sparking wild scenes amongst those in white!
FULL TIME: Leeds United U21 2-1 Norwich City U21
