Premier League 2

Reading U21 3 (Holmes 25’, Wareham 32’, Tuma 43’)

Leeds United U21 2 (Moore 49’, Allen 90’)

Reading: Norcott (GK), Abrefa, Paul (C), Rushesha (Wellens 66’), Dorsett, Holmes (Clark 85’), Harris, Craig (Stickland 66’), Tuma, Wareham, Okine-Peters (Borgnis 76’). Subs not used: Rhone (GK).

Leeds: Ombang (GK), Moore (C), Ferguson, Mullen, Debayo (Monteiro 45’), Bate, Allen, Crew, Gyabi (Thomas 76’), McGurk, Douglas (Carole 76’). Subs not used: Christy (GK), Coleman.

Venue: Select Car Leasing Stadium

Attendance: TBC

Referee: Jason Richardson

Booked: Rushesha, Wellens (Reading) McGurk, Bate, Mullen, Allen (Leeds)

Leeds United Under-21s returned to Premier League 2 action on Friday night, travelling away from home to take on Reading at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Michael Skubala’s side came back from the international break last week to play in the Premier League Cup, defeating Colchester United 3-2 in an entertaining game, but focus was back on the league in this one.

Both teams had identical records at the start of this clash. The Whites had won three and lost one, with Noel Hunt’s side having done the same from their start to the season.

When we got underway, it was a quiet opening to the game with the ball, whilst the rain pelted down upon those looking to control it. After the first chance did arrive, it opened the floodgates for many more at either end.

First up was Jeremiah Okine-Peters for the Royals who was denied by Darryl Ombang, before Connor Douglas went down the other end for Leeds and forced a save from Tom Norcott.

Reading then went into the lead in the 25th minute. Tom Holmes found space on the edge of the box and struck an unstoppable half-volley, left-footed, into the top corner.

After Lewis Bate and Douglas had again been denied by Norcott down the other end, Reading were fortunate this time to find the net again and extend their lead. A hugely deflected cross fell kindly for Jayden Wareham, who only had to chest it home from a yard out.

Approaching the half-time whistle, the hosts would get a third. Basil Tuma collected a loose ball at the back post and struck it, finding the net off the inside of the post.

With five minutes of stoppage time announced, Leeds kept looking for a way back into the game and nearly found one. Kris Moore had a looping header cleared off the line and in the following scramble, Jeremiah Mullen’s effort came back off the bar.

The whistle for the break was blown shortly after, meaning the Whites had plenty of work to do in the second half if they were to claim anything from this one.

HALF TIME: Reading U21 3-0 Leeds United U21

Diogo Monteiro was introduced at the interval, replacing James Debayo in the only change of the match up to this point.

Leeds came out for the second half aiming to get back into the game and would give themselves hope within minutes. Charlie Allen’s cross into the near post found Moore, who powered his header over the line to reduce the deficit.

Seeing plenty of the ball, the Whites continued to push forward and attack the home defence. Next to go close was Connor Ferguson who, up from left-back, forced the busy Norcott into another finger tip save.

The ‘keeper was then at it again moments later. Sean McGurk lined up a free-kick on the edge of the box and when the rebound came back off the wall to him, the forward was the next on the list of saves by the Reading stopper.

Further changes came on both teams as the clock started to tick down. Luca Thomas and Keenan Carole were summoned from the bench for the visitors, replacing Darko Gyabi and Douglas.

In the final 10 minutes, Leeds dominated the game and were throwing everything forward. That brought a late goal and a nervous finish.

Having set up the first, Allen went into the box himself this time and smashed an effort into the top corner to bring his side within one.

In the sixth minute of stoppage time, the Whites had a final chance from a free-kick. Up from his own area, goalkeeper Ombang connected with the cross and forced a save from his header.

Despite having plenty of chances in the game, the full-time whistle sounded just after, bringing with it disappointment for Skubala’s side who suffered their first away defeat of the season.

FULL TIME: Reading U21 3-2 Leeds United U21