Premier League 2
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 (Chirewa 25’, Hubner 37’)
Leeds United 0
Wolves: King (GK), Birtwistle, Hubner (C), Hodge (Jordao 62’), Bueno, Kandola, Chirewa, Whittingham, Fraser, Hesketh, Gonzalez (Farmer 76’). Subs not used: Young, Kaleta, Keto-Diyawa.
Leeds: Christy (GK), Moore (C), Monteiro, Mullen, Ferguson, Crew, Gyabi (Thomas 62’), Douglas (Carole 71’), McGurk, Bate, Allen. Subs not used: Ombang (GK), Debayo, Coleman.
Venue: Aggborough Stadium
Referee: Steven Copeland
Booked: Hubner (Wolves) McGurk, Allen, Monteiro (Leeds)
Leeds United Under-21s travelled away from home on Monday evening, taking on Wolverhampton Wanderers Under-21s in Premier League 2 action.
The Whites faced their opponents at the Aggborough Stadium, home of National League side Kidderminster Harriers.
It was a return to league action for Michael Skubala’s young side, following their recent win over OGC Nice Under-21s in the Premier League International Cup at Elland Road.
For opposition boss James Collins, his Wolves side were aiming to kick-start their campaign after just the one win in the league from their opening five games, and two first half goals from his team meant they did just that.
In the opening period of the match, the home side were well on top. Harry Christy twice produced excellent saves, denying both Nathan Fraser and Owen Hesketh.
Wolves did take a lead that their early dominance had deserved. The Whites were unable to clear a ball into the box and it fell kindly for Tawanda Chirewa, who struck home into the bottom corner with 25 minutes played.
Almost responding instantly from kick-off, Connor Douglas got in behind the Wolves defence but when looking to turn goalwards, he saw the chance taken away from him and cleared behind for a corner.
Approaching the break and still largely on top, Wolves got a second. Wearing the captain’s armband for his side, Justin Hubner found space at the back post from a deep cross and guided a header home, off the base of the post.
That was to be that before the break, with the hosts going in to their dressing room with a two-goal advantage.
HALF TIME: Wolverhampton Wanderers U21s 2-0 Leeds United U21s
Out for the second half at the Aggborough Stadium, no changes were made from either bench, with teams continuing to battle it out on the rain soaked turf.
Leeds came out and had a much better start to the second period. Quick build-up play involving Lewis Bate and Connor Ferguson created a chance for Sean McGurk, only to see Santiago Bueno put in a last-ditch block to deny the effort.
The home side then put the pressure back on and had a glaring chance to extend their lead. Bueno was the player with the opportunity, but from inside the six-yard box he powered a header well wide.
Skubala went to the bench for Leeds. Darko Gyabi and Douglas came off, with Luca Thomas and Keenan Carole entering the game.
Both players showed energy and quickly impacted. Thomas won a dangerous free-kick which Bate curled over the bar, whilst Carole was then fouled in the box.
The referee pointed straight the spot for the foul, but the Whites were unable to capitalise as McGurk’s penalty didn’t hit the target.
Leeds kept the pressure up as the game approached its conclusion and were unfortunate again moments later, when Allen cut in from the wing and struck left-footed against the post.
Despite a spirited second half performance, Skubala’s side couldn’t come back from the first half deficit and Wolves ran out winners in Kidderminster.
The Whites will return to action again this coming Friday, against Luton Town Under-21 at the LNER Community Stadium in York, as they resume their Premier League Cup journey.
FULL TIME: Wolverhampton Wanderers U21s 2-0 Leeds United U21s
