Professional Development League Final

Leeds United 0

Birmingham City 0

Leeds win 4-2 on penalties

Leeds: Miazek, Shackleton (Temenuzhkov 116), Struijk, Halme, Berardi (Oduor 69), McCalmont (Diaz 87), Gotts, Stevens, Bogusz, Clarke, Edmondson.  Subs not used: Rae, Nicell, Oduor.

Venue: Elland Road

Attendance: 7,818

Goalkeeper Kamil Miazek was the hero for Leeds United’s Under-23s, as the Whites were crowned Professional Development League champions after a 4-2 penalty shootout victory against Birmingham City at Elland Road.

Miazek saved two of Birmingham’s four penalties, with winger Jack Clarke going on to score the winning spot kick.

The game began tightly, but in the 13^th minute Leeds thought they had a penalty when Gaetano Berardi was bundled over by Remeao Hutton, but the offside flag saw the decision overturned.

Jack Clarke saw a free-kick hit the wall two minutes later, before heading off target following a Jordan Stevens cross.

Adan George had Birmingham’s first opportunity when he broke through the Whites defence, but he couldn’t get the better of Kamil Miazek.

Ryan Edmondson then went close following a Robbie Gotts cross, but Birmingham managed to scramble his header away for a corner.

Alfie McCalmont tried his luck from 25 yards, but he couldn’t find the target with his strike, before Odin Bailey fired wide for the visitors from the edge of the Leeds box.

On the stroke of half time, Birmingham had the best chance of the first half, when Joe Redmond headed Hutton’s cross at goal, forcing Kamil Miazek into a superb reflex save, to keep the scores level.

Half time: Leeds United 0-0 Birmingham City

The Whites nearly got a breakthrough goal nine minutes into the second half, Mateusz Bogusz whipped in a free-kick from the left and only a great save from Zack Jeacock denied Pascal Struijk’s header.

Bogusz then shot from distance, but he was unable to keep his effort down.

Birmingham went close in the 75^th minute from a corner, George poked towards goal, but he saw his attempt cleared off the line by Ryan Edmondson.

Olly McCoy then broke into the Leeds box and tried to beat Miazek from a narrow angle, his shot managed to squeeze through Miazek’s save, but Robbie Gotts was on hand to clear off the line.

With seven minutes remaining McCoy again found space to run down the left and weave his way into the Leeds box, but Jamie Shackleton was on hand to make a superb last ditch challenge to stop his effort on goal.

Neither side was able to get a vital goal though in the closing stages, resulting in extra time.

End of 90 minutes: Leeds United 0-0 Birmingham City

Leeds created a good opportunity in the 94^th minute, Shackleton did really well to work his way into the box, but he couldn’t find anyone with his pull back.

Following on from this, Hugo Diaz won Leeds a free-kick 25 yards from goal and he took the set-piece, with his strike going just over.

Hutton then struck a fine curling effort from the edge of the Leeds box, which hit the crossbar, as the Whites survived.

Birmingham substitute Jude Bellingham had a great chance when he went through on the Leeds goal, he had the option to square to McCoy, but opted to go for goal, but Miazek made a good stop to deny him.

In stoppage time, Leeds so nearly took the lead.  Clarke Oduor won Leeds a free-kick 25 yards from goal and Bogusz saw his strike hit the post.  From the rebound Jordan Stevens was offside, ahead of Edmondson finding the net, which saw the goal ruled out.

Half time of extra time: Leeds United 0-0 Birmingham City

In the second period, Diaz saw an effort cleared off the line by McCoy at a corner.

Oduor then did really well down the left and his cross found Edmondson in the Birmingham box, but he couldn’t direct his volley on target.

 Neither team could get a breakthrough though, as the game went to penalties.

End of extra time: Leeds United 0-0 Birmingham City

Penalties:

Leeds penalty 1- Bogusz missed

Birmingham penalty 1- McCoy scored

Leeds penalty 2- Struijk scored

Birmingham penalty 2- Bajrami scored

Leeds pen 3- Edmondson scored

Birmingham pen 3- Redmond missed

Leeds pen 4- Temenuzhkov scored

Birmingham pen 4- Boyd-Munce missed

Leeds pen 5- Clarke scored

Full Time: Leeds win 4-2 on penalties