Premier League 2

Leeds United U21 0

Chelsea U21 2 (Castledine 14’, Stutter 90’)

Leeds: Christy (GK) (C), Richards (Cline 62’), Sutcliffe, Coleman (Moore 67’, Debayo 84’), Cresswell, Monteiro, Snowdon (Toulson 62’), Crew, Perkins, McFadden, Thomas. Subs not used: Grainger.

Chelsea: Curd (GK), Hughes, Gee (C), Williams, Sturge (Samuels-Smith 90’), Rak-Sakyi, Silcott-Duberry (Antwi 82’), Golding, Stutter, Castledine, Washington (Tauriainen 72’). Subs not used: Sharman-Lowe, Olise.

Referee: Oliver Mackey

Booked: Crew (Leeds) Golding, Stutter (Chelsea)

Venue: Thorp Arch Training Ground

Leeds United Under-21s fell to a narrow defeat as they hosted Chelsea Under-21s at Thorp Arch in the Premier League 2.

Despite a positive display in the first half, the Whites headed into the break a goal down after Leo Castledine’s early strike, before Ronnie Stutter sealed the three points for the Blues deep into stoppage time as Leeds threw bodies forward searching for an equaliser.

The visitors started brightly on what was a windswept afternoon in Yorkshire, with Zak Sturge first forcing Charlie Cresswell into making a good clearance as the Blues attacked down the left.

Diogo Monteiro was then needed for Scott Gardner's side to make an interception inside the area after Leo Castledine worked a yard of space.

As Leeds grew into the game, midfielder Charlie Crew sprayed a fine ball out to Luca Thomas on the wing who crossed early looking for Max McFadden's run at the near post. The ball found its way to the midfielder, only for Chelsea's Brodi Hughes to make a strong challenge to clear.

Harvey Sutcliffe did brilliantly to keep possession after the visitors looked to clear a Leeds corner, dancing his way through a number of challenges before laying it off for Joe Snowdon. The winger cut inside onto his left foot before lashing a powerful effort just over the bar.

Just as United were beginning to dominate the ball, Leo Castledine put the Blues a goal to the good. A cross rather fortuitously bounced into his path and he made no mistake, slotting into the corner in the 14th minute.

Looking for a quick response, Thomas, on the back of a stunning strike last time out, almost added another to his collection when he curled an effort just wide of the post from distance after strong hold up play by Sonny Perkins. Curd looked beaten in the Chelsea net, but the ball flew agonisingly wide as the visitors stayed in front.

Perkins then found McFadden inside the area on the right who drilled a low effort back across Curd. The Chelsea keeper got a hand to it, allowing Hughes to hook it off the line as it trickled goalward.

Moments later, central defender Cresswell went on a marauding run down the left flank, crossing low for Thomas at the front post. The winger opted to leave the ball for McFadden to strike but desperate defending from Chelsea saw them head into the break in the lead.

HALF TIME: Leeds United U21 0-1 Chelsea U21

Castledine went close to grabbing a second for his side just after the break, heading wide from close range after good play down the Chelsea left.

The Whites then had Harry Christy to thank after the goalkeeper made a fantastic diving save to parry away Deivid Washington's low shot, before the Brazilian headed Castledine's cross wide on the follow up.

The aerial presence of Cresswell was always going to cause Chelsea problems from set pieces and he almost grabbed an equaliser on the hour mark, rising highest to meet Crew's delivery from the right but was unable to direct his effort towards goal.

Cresswell was needed on defensive duties as Chelsea looked to put the game to bed heading into the final 15 minutes, heading Zain Silcott-Duberry's inviting cross away from danger.

As the Whites piled bodies forward heading into stoppage time, Chelsea striker Ronnie Stutter sealed the victory for the travelling Blues, firing beyond Christy to round off an incisive counter-attack down the right flank.

Sutcliffe was inches away from getting his side on the scoresheet in the match’s dying moments, but was unable to connect with McFadden’s teasing delivery from the right.

FULL TIME: Leeds United U21 0-2 Chelsea U21