Premier League 2

Reading U21 0

Leeds United U21 2 (Gray 66’, Chadwick 70’)

Reading: Rhone (GK), Ahmed, Duah, Spencer, Stickland (C), Beacroft (Howard 46’), Garcia (Okine-Peters 46’), Sackey, Evans (Jones 77’), Hicks (Osho 77’), Patton. Subs not used: Pullinger (GK).

Leeds: Ombang (GK), Firth, Lienou, Cresswell (C), Howard (Enahoro-Marcus 85’), Howson, Vincent (Njinko 65’), Pickles, Gray (Brockie 76’), Chadwick, McDonald (Mills 85’). Subs not used: Cook (GK).

Venue: Bearwood Park

Referee: Matthew McQuillan

Booked: Garcia, Hicks, Stickland (Reading) Chadwick (Leeds)

On a desperately cold Berkshire lunchtime, Leeds United Under-21s returned to Premier League 2 action with a convincing win over Reading Under-21s.

Level at the break despite dominating, the Whites’ perseverance paid off with second-half strikes from Harry Gray and Rhys Chadwick sealing all three points on the first outing of the New Year.

With Scott Gardner having named a strong side to start the encounter, the visitors started brightly and after a clever move down the left involving Chadwick, skipper Alfie Cresswell lashed a half-volley over the upright from the edge of the area.

Desperate defending from a Royals defender then prevented Gray from having a sight of goal, hacking a dangerous Josh McDonald delivery away before the forward could pounce.

The England youth international was again close to latching onto the end of a testing low cross, this time from Jayden Lienou, with the ball zipping off the wet surface and skidding agonisingly away from the outstretched Gray at the back post.

Keen to send a reminder of their threat on the break, Shay Spencer let fly for Reading though his speculative 30-yard effort tamely trickled wide of Darryl Ombang’s goal.

Leeds thought they had taken the lead when the lively Gray rose highest at the back post to glance in. Lienou’s looping cross was powered back across goal by Cresswell with the striker then making sure, only for the assistant’s flag to be raised for an alleged offside.

Approaching the break and both defences were called into action in quick succession. Jonny Howson firstly used all of his experience to be well placed and clear a deflected strike off the line before, immediately down the other end, Cresswell saw a drive of his own cannon off an opposition shirt and away.

HALF TIME: Reading U21 0-0 Leeds United U21

The Whites emerged from the interval unchanged, looking to get the goal that their opening period deserved in the dazzling winter sun.

For all United’s dominance, however, it was very nearly the hosts who took the lead. Reacting quickly to a loose pass out from the back, David Hicks raced into the area and dragged narrowly beyond the upright.

With the match still level nearing the hour mark, the ball looked destined to nestle in the back of the Royals’ net when Gray contested a Chadwick corner and flicked towards the far post, only for the retreating Ashqar Ahmed to acrobatically hook away.

It was skipper Cresswell next to try his luck, fizzing a rasping low drive inches beyond the woodwork after excellent tenacity from Howson to wrestle back possession.

A first change from the dugout then saw Carrick Njinko introduced for a maiden appearance for the U21s and the attacker was immediately involved, linking up earlier in a move that resulted in Gray bearing down on goal.

With just Harrison Rhone to beat, the striker made no mistake as he kept his composure, wrongfooting the keeper to give Gardner’s side the lead!

And within moments, one very quickly became two! A sublime, line-splitting pass from youngster Jacob Howard spotted the run of Chadwick in behind the hosts’ defence.

The attacking midfielder did brilliantly to evade a challenge and stay on his feet, poking beyond the onrushing Rhone to double the advantage!

A second alteration came with just over 10 minutes of normal time remaining. Devon Brockie made his way onto the field, replacing goalscorer Gray.

Leeds threatened a third with Ollie Pickles and Will Firth both going close but the lead would have been halved if not for a sublime intervention from Ombang.

Defending a low delivery, Howard did brilliantly to deny Jerae Jones in the first instance. The ball fortuitously fell for Jeremiah Okine-Peters who looked certain to score from point-blank range but Ombang, diving to his right, had other ideas!

United return to Premier League 2 action next week when they welcome Stoke City to Thorp Arch on Friday afternoon.

FULL TIME: Reading U21 0-2 Leeds United U21