Premier League Cup

Leeds United U21 3 (Gyabi 4’, Bate 9’, McGurk 68’)

Colchester United U21 2 (Bennett 2’, Cooper 14’)

Leeds: Ombang (GK), Moore (C), Ferguson (Godden 83’), Debayo, Spencer, Coleman (Allen 45’), Carole (McGurk 45’), Bate, Thomas, Gyabi, Douglas (McFadden 45’). Subs not used: Christy (GK).  

Colchester: Collins (GK), Yates, Dyer, Kennedy (C) (Aman 83’), Beadle, Terry (Marcel-Dilaver 72’), Lowe (Oliver 80’), Marshall-Miranda, Thorn, Cooper, Bennett. Subs not used: Green, Chamberlain. 

Venue: LNER Community Stadium, York

Attendance: 238

Referee: Richard Aspinall

Booked: Ferguson, Douglas, Spence, Godden (Leeds) Bennett, Marshall-Miranda, Lowe, Yates (Colchester).

Leeds United Under-21s stepped away from league action to begin their Premier League Cup campaign on Friday evening, at the LNER Community Stadium in York. 

The Whites faced Colchester United Under-21s at home in this Group D encounter, under the floodlights in Yorkshire. 

Michael Skubala’s side was a young one, with many of his usual squad having been away on international duty during the week. However, he was able to name the more experienced duo of Lewis Bate and Darko Gyabi in his midfield. 

In what would prove to be a hugely entertaining opening period in York, it was the away side who took an early lead. Kaan Bennett was played through into the penalty area and struck low into the corner, to give Colchester the perfect start.

That lasted all of two minutes though, as Leeds instantly equalised. Strong work down the wing from Keenan Carole saw the winger play the ball to the edge of the box for Gyabi, who struck low into the back of the net to level the score. 

Shortly after, Gyabi had another chance to put his side ahead this time, but couldn’t take it, whilst straight down the other end Chay Cooper had a good chance for the U’s, only to see Whites skipper Kris Moore perfectly positioned to block his strike. 

There would be a third goal and a second for Leeds moments later though, and in style. Luca Thomas had an initial shot saved, before Bate struck a thunderous effort from 25-yards, which cannoned into the net off the underside of the bar. 

The visitors wouldn’t be disheartened though and still inside 15 minutes of the match, they would level, via a huge deflection. It was Cooper’s strike which was blocked again, but this time the ball would find the net rather than safety, to make it two-apiece. 

In a fast-paced match which saw end-to-end football played by two teams constantly looking to attack, there were no further goals prior to the interval despite the best efforts of each side, meaning they went back to the dressing room on level terms. 

HALF TIME: Leeds United 2-2 Colchester United 

Leeds made a triple change at the break. Sean McGurk, Max McFadden and the returning Charlie Allen all entered the game, replacing Carole, Connor Douglas and Cian Coleman. 

After showing plenty of energy and pushing high up the pitch when possible to do so in the first half, Colchester were much more reserved in the second, with Leeds seeing plenty of the ball.  

McGurk looked to make an immediate impact and thought he had done so when finding Luca Thomas, but the striker saw his goal ruled out as the ball was adjudged to have gone out of play in the build up. 

Thomas was the next to go close just after the hour mark. He showed quick feet to create the space to shoot after collecting Moore’s pass, but struck the effort well over. 

All the pressure on the Colchester goal did eventually pay off, with two of the changes combining to find the next goal for the Whites. 

Allen was the player with the initial effort after running with the ball into the box, then striking the ball low against the post. McGurk collected it well and had plenty of work still to do, beating two defenders before smashing low left-footed into the far corner.  

There were a couple of late chances in the match as the away side looked to try and get level. Having scored in the first half, Bennett had the best opportunity but could only find the side netting when well placed.

Skubala’s side managed to see the game out well, keeping possession and with the clock ticking down, they held onto a first three points of their Premier League Cup campaign. 

FULL TIME: Leeds United 3-2 Colchester United