Vertu Trophy
Fleetwood Town 4 (Norwood 4’, 52’, 88’; Davies 30’)
Leeds United U21 0
Fleetwood: Harrington (GK), Virtue (C) (McLean 60’), Davies (Coughlan 66’), Norwood, McCann (Ennis 67’), Holgate, Neal (Helm 70’), Morrison, Hughes, Roberts, Haughey. Subs not used: Bellizia (GK), Medley, Cirino.
Leeds: Ombang (GK), Dudley (Chambers 60’), Lopata-White, Cresswell (C), Firth, Douglas, Pickles, Chadwick, Vincent, Brockie (White 78’), McDonald (Render 60’). Subs not used: Wood (GK), Pirie, Howard, Philpott.
Referee: Declan Brown
Booked: Neal, Morrison (Fleetwood)
Venue: Highbury Stadium
Leeds United Under-21s put in a spirited performance despite losing away against Sky Bet League Two outfit Fleetwood Town in their second Vertu Trophy group stage fixture.
Ahead of kick off, Whites boss Scott Gardner made five changes to the side that drew with West Bromwich Albion U21s last time out, notably welcoming Rhys Chadwick back into the starting lineup and handing the gloves to Darryl Ombang in Rory Mahady’s absence.
The action got underway in swirling rain on the Lancashire coast and the hosts raced into an early lead when James Norwood fired a clever first-time finish home after meeting Liam Roberts’ delivery from the left.
Looking for a quick-fire second, the striker then latched onto a looping cross and glanced a header goalwards, calling Ombang into action who made a necessary intervention.
Keen to get a foothold in the opening stages, Chadwick burst down the left and slid a dangerous ball across the face of goal looking for the onrushing Harvey Vincent at the back post, only for a red shirt to hack away.
The attacker was then played through on the right flank and almost caught Fleetwood goalkeeper David Harrington out with a low effort, though the stopper saved well down to his left.
Leeds had recovered from the early setback well yet still had to be vigilant at the back as the experienced opposition threatened. Alfie Cresswell made a well-timed block to deny Will Davies before Ombang was equal to a deflected Matty Virtue drive from the edge of the area.
The crossbar was then left shaking as Lewis McCann struck a thunderous effort for the hosts from a narrow angle but Davies added a second on the half hour mark from close-range.
Moments before referee Declan Brown’s half-time whistle sounded, Gardner’s side came within inches of getting on the scoresheet as Douglas and Josh McDonald combined down the left, resulting in the young Scot firing just wide of the far post.
HALF TIME: Fleetwood Town 2-0 Leeds United U21
The Whites emerged from the break unchanged and determined to find a route back into the clash in worsening conditions.
Ombang had to be at his very best early on, however, saving well from Davies with his feet before the onrushing Virtue skewed an effort wide on the follow up. Douglas then produced a fantastic block to divert a snapshot from the Fleetwood skipper away from danger.
Despite a hint of offside, the hosts did extend their lead courtesy of Norwood’s back-post finish, finding the bottom corner after an incisive break on the right flank.
First activity from the United bench saw Sam Chambers make a welcomed return to action from injury in place of Louie Dudley, as well as Jacob Render coming on for McDonald as Gardner shuffled the pack.
With just over 10 minutes of normal time remaining, Devon Brockie made way for Logan White as the Whites continued to try and get on the front foot, enjoying a fair share of possession irrespective of the scoreline.
Leeds would have reduced the deficit through Render if not for Harrington who produced a superb low stop to deny the attacker. The substitutes had combined with Chambers driving deep into Fleetwood territory before finding the run of his teammate.
Chadwick also went close but the League Two side added a fourth courtesy of Norwood, heading home from close range before the full-time whistle sounded.
The Whites round off their Vertu Trophy campaign next month with a trip to the Wham Stadium to face Accrington Stanley.
FULL TIME: Fleetwood Town 4-0 Leeds United U21
