Premier League 2

Leeds United U21: 2 (Alker 20, 63’)

Leicester City U21: 3 (Page 32’, Ochere 54’, 90’)

Leeds United: Cook (GK), Vincent, Philpott, Lienou, Matykiewicz (Enahoro-Marcus 45’), Cresswell (C), Chambers (Njinko 70’), Crew, Chadwick (Lane 70’), Pickles, Alker. Subs not used: Ombang (GK), Mills.

Leicester City: Bausor, Donnelly, Ali, Gray (C), Toko, Neale, Carr (Richards 70’), Page, Otchare, Briggs, Hutchinson (Golding 73'). Subs not used: Amarteye, Marson, Khela, Richards, Golding.

Venue: LNER Community Stadium

Referee: Paul Marsden

Booked: Chambers (Leeds). Toko, Neale (Leicester)

Leeds United Under 21s fell to a narrow defeat against Leicester City Under 21s as their Premier League 2 campaign came to a close despite a brace from attacking midfielder Sam Alker.

The hosts shortly found themselves in the attacking third early on after Jayden Lienou sprayed a cross-field ball into the path of Harvey Vincent whose attempted cross was cleared behind for a corner.

Alker was the creative spark behind Leeds’ next attack, releasing Sam Chambers down the left side who forced a smart stop from Stevie Bausor at his near post to deny Scott Gardner’s side the lead.

Following progressive build up from the back, Charlie Crew found space down the left channel and found Alker in the box with a low ball who then arrowed the ball into the bottom right corner to put the Whites ahead!

Shortly after, Logan Briggs received the ball on the edge of the area from a corner and saw his top corner effort acrobatically tipped over the bar by Robbie Cook to preserve his side’s lead.

Leicester, in search of an equaliser, found space down the right through Riley Carr whose cross fizzed into the middle but was unable to find a blue shirt much to the relief of the host’s defence.

Starting his second successive game for Gardner’s side, Chambers danced his way through a sea of opposing defenders before being brought down in the penalty area though referee Paul Marsden waved away the appeals.

Up the other end, the visitors equalised after Louis Page’s low driven strike found its way into the bottom corner of the Leeds goal against the run of play.

Carr then wriggled away from Lienou down the right-hand side, eventually managing to get a shot off towards goal after a tussle with the defender which was then denied by Cook as the game neared towards the interval.

Leeds had their last chance of the half through a set piece yet Rhys Chadwick’s effort on goal deflected over the bar by the defensive wall which brought the half to a close.

HALF TIME: Leeds United U21 1-1 Leicester City U21

The first chance of the second half came through Ollie Pickles, finding Chadwick in an abundance of space down the right before his low cross into the box failed to reach a Leeds attacker.

Pickles was immediately back amongst the action, as Chambers cushioned the ball towards the midfielder on the edge of the area to provide an opportunity to have an attempt on goal, with his strike whistling wide of the Leicester post.

Following a period of attacking dominance from the hosts, Briggs managed to float in behind the Leeds defence, squaring the ball to Ochere who nestled the ball into the top corner of the goal, leaving Cook with no chance.

Last match’s goalscorer Louie Phillpott then had his turn in the attacking third, stinging the palms of Bausor as the Whites looked to level the tie.

Alfie Cresswell found a pocket of space in the defensive half, before lofting a ball across the pitch to Chadwick whose perfectly weighted cross found Alker lurking at the back post to equalise for the hosts.

Looking to regain the leader, the visitors carved out a chance on the edge of the Leeds box as Pickles blocked efforts from both Otchere and Carr.

Following a flurry of substitutions for both sides, Vincent found space in the opposing box before his close-range header went off target as Leeds continued to probe for a third goal.

The game grew into an open-ended tie after the visitors applied a period of pressure on the Whites’ defence, testing their defensive resolve as both sides chased a winner.

Following a cagey end to the game, Leicester were able to find a deciding goal through Ochere who tapped the ball into the goal from close range following a swift counter attack.

Scott Gardner’s attentions now turn towards next season, as his side will again play in the Premier League 2.

FULL TIME: Leeds United U21 2-3 Leicester City U21