Premier League Cup

Leeds United 4 (Allen 3’, Thomas 22’, McGurk 31’, Bate 83’)

Luton Town 1 (Burger 8’)

Leeds: Van den Heuvel (GK), Coleman (Mullen 67’), Moore (C), Debayo, Monteiro, Bate, Carole (Spencer 84’), Gyabi, Thomas, McGurk (Snowdon 71’), Allen (Douglas 67’). Subs not used: Ombang (GK).

Luton: Horlick (GK), Pinnington, Phillips (Heron 88’), Johnson, Chigozie, Kayibanda, Piesold, Burger (C), Luker, Townsend, Matthews-Lewis (Lynch 75’). Subs not used: Trustran, Emery, Hockey. 

Venue: LNER Community Stadium, York

Attendance: 317

Referee: Gareth Rhodes

Booked: Allen, Bate, Gyabi, Coleman, Monteiro (Leeds) Phillips, Piesold, Kayibanda, Lynch (Luton) 

Leeds United Under-21s were back in Premier League Cup action at the LNER Community Stadium in York, taking on Luton Town Under-21s. 

The Whites had began their Group D fixtures with a win last time out, beating Colchester United in an entertaining 3-2 encounter. Visitors Luton had a tough start to their group stage, losing 4-1 away at Chelsea.

With five goals each in their previous matches, goals were expected in this one, and the fans inside the ground didn’t have to wait long to see the net burst. 

Just three minutes in and after hitting the bar inside the first minute, Charlie Allen finished superbly from a tight angle to put Michael Skubala’s side in front.  

However, the Hatters regained their composure and hit back quickly. Neat football around the area saw an opening for Jake Burger, who slotted it home to level. 

The next 14 minutes of the match would see relative calm after a fast start, but then further goals arrived in quick succession again. 

Luca Thomas put Leeds back ahead with a well-placed finish, but he owed plenty to the work of Sean McGurk who bamboozled the visiting defence with his quick feet to create the opening. 

Just nine minutes later, McGurk got a goal himself. The forward took control of a free-kick out on the wing and whipped it into the box, evading everyone, and finding the net via the far post to make it 3-1.  

Jameson Horlick between the posts for Luton had been beaten three times, but the ‘keeper showed excellent form throughout the half. Stunning saves from the stopper denied McGurk twice, Keenan Carole and Darko Gyabi before the break.  

The whistle went with Leeds two-goals ahead in what had been a lively and entertaining half at the LNER Community Stadium.

HALF TIME: Leeds United 3-1 Luton Town

No changes at the break saw the teams come back out and battle gain. Dani Van den Heuvel was the first ‘keeper in action this half, as he denied Jayden Luker with a superb diving save at full stretch. 

Luton had began the second half brightly and posing a threat. Millar Matthews-Lewis had the best chance but couldn’t hit the target, after receiving the ball from England international Andros Townsend.  

A scrappier second half saw Skubala go to his bench, with just over 20 minutes to play. Jeremiah Mullen, Connor Douglas and Joe Snowdon entered, in place of Cian Coleman, McGurk and Allen. 

Although Leeds had plenty of counter attacking opportunities as Luton pushed forward searching for a way back, it was the visitors who created the better chances still in the second half.

Kris Moore had to be perfectly positioned, and was so, to deny Burger a second goal of the game as the full-back cleared his effort from off the line. The visiting captain had another chance moments later, heading over the bar from inside the six-yard box. 

After standing firm from the Luton chances, Leeds went up the other end and carved out an opening themselves to extend the lead.

Good work from second half sub Snowdon saw him play it to Lewis Bate. The midfielder composed himself, then rounded the ‘keeper before firing into the back of the net to make it four. 

A second win the group stages was confirmed with the full-time whistle, with Skubala’s side running out comfortable winners and moving their tally onto six points in Group D of the competition. 

FULL TIME: Leeds United 4-1 Luton Town