U23s Report: Birmingham City 3-0 Leeds United

U23s Report: Birmingham City 3-0 Leeds United

Blues defeat Leeds.

Professional Development League


Birmingham City 1 (Fernandez 7, Concannon 48, Fernandez 55)

Leeds United 0


Leeds: Meslier, Jenkins, McCarron, Casey, Struijk (Roberts 61), Cresswell, Hernandez (Stevens 30), McCalmont, Edmondson, Bogusz, Clarke (Huggins 56).  Subs not used: Skerry, Stanley.

 

Booked: McCarron, Meslier

 

Venue: Phillips 66 Community Stadium

 

Leeds United Under-23s suffered defeat on the road in the Professional Development League, with Birmingham City running out 3-0 winners at Leamington’s Phillips 66 Community Stadium.

Pablo Hernandez made a comeback from injury, featuring in the starting line-up, whilst Tyler Roberts and Jordan Stevens were on the bench.

Birmingham took an early lead in the seventh minute, after catching Leeds on the counter attack, Miguel Fernandez superbly found the top corner with a fine strike, after being played forward by Ryan Stirk.

Kane Thompson-Somers was next to go close for the home side, he struck a low effort from distance wide of the Leeds goal.

Leeds’ first chance came in the 19th minute, Pascal Struijk sent Liam McCarron to the byline and his cut back was met by Ryan Edmondson who saw his strike deflect wide.

At the other end, Illan Meslier was called into action making a fine save to deny Birmingham from going ahead, stopping Adan George’s shot on the turn from eight yards.

Pablo Hernandez saw a free kick deflect just over, before Jack Clarke saw a deflected strike at a free kick of his own saved by Connal Trueman.

Clarke saw a penalty appeal turned down after weaving his way into the Birmingham box seven minutes before the break, whilst Bogusz saw a deflected strike land on the roof of the net, as Birmingham went in ahead.

Half time: Birmingham City 1-0 Leeds United

Less than three minutes into the second half, Birmingham doubled their lead.  Fernandez guided the ball into the path of Jack Concannon who drove forward before finding the top left corner with a neat finish.

Leeds almost pulled a goal back shortly after, Stevens found Alfie McCaolmont in the centre of the Birmingham box with a low cross, but he couldn’t get the better of Trueman.

Ryan Strik tested Meslier with a free-kick before the home side made it three.  Meslier was dispossessed after coming out of his box and Fernandez netted his second of the game from 25 yards.

The Whites went close from a set piece when Charlie Cresswell met a Bogusz corner, with his header going inches wide.

Josh Andrews struck just wide from the edge of the box for the home side, whilst at the other end, Bogusz forced Trueman into a good stop with a free kick from 30 yards.

Late on, Andrews saw a fourth goal for the home side ruled out for offside, whilst Steve Seddon fired into the side netting when well placed following a good build up for the Blues.

Full time: Birmingham City 3-0 Leeds United

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