U23 Report: Leeds United 1-0 Middlesbrough

U23 Report: Leeds United 1-0 Middlesbrough

Late strike earns Whites three points.

Premier League 2


Leeds United 1 (Greenwood 86)

Middlesbrough 0


Leeds: Caprile, Gotts, Cresswell, Casey, Harrison, Jenkins, Summerville, Bogusz, McKinstry, Gelhardt (Allen 24), Greenwood.  Subs not used: Van den Heuvel, Mullen, McMillan, Dean.

 

Booked: Cresswell


Venue: Thorp Arch

 

Sam Greenwood’s 86th minute strike secured Leeds United all three points in the Premier League 2against Middlesbrough.

The visitors had a good opportunity to take the lead inside seven minutes.  Hayden Hackney played a dangerous low cross into the Leeds box, finding Rumarn Burrell at the back post, but he could only fire over from close range.

Leeds’ first opportunity came through Sam Greenwood who hit a hat-trick against Sunderland last time out.  He did well to work room for a shot inside the Boro box, but couldn’t keep his strike down.

Isiah Jones had another fine chance for Boro in the 14th minute, but he could only fire over from six yards after meeting Ben Liddle’s cross on the volley.

Charlie Cresswell was next to go close from a corner, he met Stuart McKinstry’s cross, but could only head wide.

Leeds were dealt a blow when Joe Gelhardt had to be withdrawn due to injury, before Creswell forced a save from Boro goalkeeper Sol Brynn from another McKinstry corner.

Mateusz Bogusz saw a long range strike saved, before Cresswell again won another header from a Jack Harrison corner, but saw his attempt go inches wide.

Half time: Leeds United 0-0 Middlesbrough

After the break Middlesbrough hit Leeds with a counter-attack and Stephen Walker did well to break into the Leeds box from the left flank, cleverly working room for a shot, but his effort was well blocked by Cresswell.

Walker again did well to create himself the opportunity to shoot, but this time saw his strike deflect just over the crossbar.

At the other end, Greenwood did well to control a forward pass, turning well on the edge of the area before breaking into the box and striking at goal, but Brynn made an excellent save to deny him.

The visitors produced another chance in the 70th minute when Walker played William Kokolo into the Leeds box, but he couldn’t find the target with his finish.

Middlesbrough nearly took the lead with nine minutes remaining, substitute Alberto Balde teed up Walker who was denied by Caprile, before Balde hit the post from close range with the follow up.

Charlie Allen saw a header denied following good work by new arrival Crysencio Summerville, before the Whites won it, with Greenwood latching onto a lovely through ball from Jack Jenkins and superbly slotting home.

Full time: Leeds United 1-0 Middlesbrough

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