Premier League 2

Leeds United 3 (McCarron 44’, McKinstry 45’, 52’)

Reading 0

Leeds XI: Casilla, Drameh, Davis (Huggins 46’), Kenneh, Cresswell, Casey, Summerville, Jenkins (Dean 60’), Gelhardt (Allen 60’), McKinstry, McCarron. Subs not used: Caprile, Moore. 

Leeds United’s Under 23s showed a clinical touch, as they ran out comfortable winners in what was a tight match, at Thorp Arch. 

Liam McCarron and Stuart McKinstry got the goals, as the Whites extended their lead at the top of the Premier League 2 table. 

A couple of early efforts from either side set the tone for what would be an attacking and entertaining game. Mamadi Camara shot over the bar for Reading, whereas Olly Casey came close when he placed a header just wide of the post.  

Crysencio Summerville and Joe Gelhardt were looking to cause damage, using their pace and tricky to mesmerise the visiting defence at times. Gelhardt went down under challenges inside the box on more than one occasion in the first 45, but none were deemed as penalties by the referee. 

It took until two minutes before half-time, for what had been an entertaining but relatively even game, to be totally changed in favour of Mark Jackson’s side. 

Summerville showed his blistering pace and latched onto Cody Drameh’s through-ball, then crossed accurately into the six-yard box for the onrushing McCarron to fire home. 

Just a minute later, the lead would be doubled. The Royals attempted to play out from the back and some excellent pressure forced the ball to come loose, where the alert McKinstry picked it up and smashed home left-footed to make it 2-0 in favour of his side. 

HALF TIME: Leeds United 2-0 Reading

Niall Huggins was introduced from the bench at half-time, following on from making his first-team debut at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday after fine form in the U23s side this season. He replaced the ever reliable Leif Davis. 

Just a few minutes into the half, the Whites added a third goal and ultimately secured an important three points in the race for the title. 

Joe Gelhardt refused to let the visiting defence have a moments rest and constantly pressed them. He forced a mistake from Coniah Boyce-Clarke and McKinstry was there to slide the ball into the back of an empty net to claim his second of the match. 

From then on, the Whites were relatively in control of the game. Max Dean and Charlie Allen were introduced in place of Gelhardt and Jack Jenkins as Leeds looked to further their attacking intent. 

Kiko Casilla was called into action and was alert when required to be. He made two good saves before tipping a further effort onto the post, as Reading threw everything forward. That allowed for chances on the break though and the Whites tried to exploit that space. 

No further goals arrived in what was an excellent display that kept the Whites at the top of the table and extended the winning run to eight matches, creating a 13-point gap to second place.

FULL TIME: Leeds United 3-0 Reading 

Booked: Charlie Cresswell (Leeds)

Venue: Thorp Arch

Attendance: Behind-closed-doors