Premier League 2

Leeds United 2 (Gelhardt pen 18’, Cresswell 30')

Newcastle United 1 (Atsu 43’)

Leeds: Caprile, Drameh, Huggins, Koch (Casey 45’), Cresswell, Berardi (Shackleton 45’), Poveda (McKinstry 45’), Jenkins, Gelhardt, Greenwood, McCarron. Subs not used: Christy, Kenneh.

Mark Jackson’s U23s side produced a battling display to earn three points at home to Newcastle United, to increase their lead at the top of the Premier League 2 table.

Joe Gelhardt scored the first from the spot after winning a penalty, then assisted for Charlie Cresswell to get the winner despite a fight-back from the visitors. 

Going into the game, Robin Koch was given a start for Jackson’s side as he returned from injury. There were further starts for Gaetano Berardi and Ian Poveda, with Jamie Shackleton on the bench.  

After a slow start to proceedings at Thorp Arch, where both teams looked to figure one another out, it was Gelhardt who created the first goal. He went on a mazy run into the area and was brought down. 

From the penalty, the United forward calmly stepped up and sent Dan Langley the wrong way in the Newcastle goal to net his eighth goal of the campaign. 

Set-pieces were beginning to dominate in what was quite a physical, but hard-fought and competitive match.  

The next goal arrived from a corner, after Ian Poveda’s effort was deflected out of play. Gelhardt whipped in a dangerous cross and Cresswell leapt highest to accurately power a header into the top corner, making it 2-0 to his side.  

Newcastle weren’t out of it however, and did pull a goal back as half-time approached. Christian Atsu was the player who poked him at the near-post, following a flowing team move down the wing from the Magpies. 

That was the last action of the first half, one in which Leeds had a slight advantage at the whistle. 

HALF TIME: Leeds United 2-1 Newcastle United

A triple change at the break from Jackson saw Koch, Berardi and Poveda all replaced. Shackleton entered the action along with Olly Casey and Stuart McKinstry.

The theme of the first half continued in the second, with plenty of stoppages and set-piece opportunities dominating the chances. 

Langley in Newcastle’s net and Elia Caprile for the Whites did both have to be alert from the crosses into the box, and both also made saves to deny Liam McCarron and Elliot Anderson respectively. 

As the game headed towards its conclusion and all available substitutes had been used to try and change the scoreline, the ‘keepers were once again called into action. 

Anderson - who was a danger throughout for the visitors - found space and had a chance in the box to finish but Caprile made another outstanding save. Back down the opposite end, Langley was equally as impressive to deny McCarron. 

The game management from Jackson’s side was then brilliant, as they controlled possession and saw out the final few minutes of the match, to secure another superb three points which keeps their lead at the top of the table.

FULL TIME: Leeds United 2-1 Newcastle United

Venue: Thorp Arch

Booked: Olly Casey (Leeds)