Premier League 2

Nottingham Forest 1 (Donnelly 86’)

Leeds United 0

Forest: Shelvey (GK), Abbott, Donnelly (C), Collins, McDonnell, Thompson, J. Perkins, McAdam, Gibson-Hammond (Hanks 90’), Gardner (Nadin 65’), Powell. Subs not used: Hammond (GK), Johnson, Hemmings. 

Leeds: Van den Heuvel (GK), Drameh (Debayo 65’), Hjelde, Mullen, Moore, Crew, Allen, Snowdon (Spencer 89’), Joseph (C) (Dean 65’), Perkins (McGurk 65’), McFadden. Subs not used: Christy (GK). 

Venue: Meadow Lane

Attendance: 352

Referee: Greg Rollason

Booked: Nadin, Perkins (Forest) Mullen, Allen, Debayo (Leeds) 

Leeds United’s Under-21s returned to Premier League 2 Division 2 action at Meadow Lane on Friday evening, suffering their first defeat of the season away from home against Nottingham Forest. 

The Whites came into the match on top of the table, having won eight and drawn just the one from their opening nine matches of the season. That run included a 5-1 thumping of Forest at Thorp Arch, earlier in the campaign. 

Michael Skubala’s side got the match started under the lights in the East Midlands, aiming to pick up where they had finished before the international break. However, it would be the hosts who had the better of the match early on. 

Two good chances for the same player, Jack Thompson. The Forest midfielder found space and twice had efforts on goal, dragging one narrowly wide before a well-placed Kris Moore was on the line to clear away the second one. 

The Reds continued on the front foot, and next to fire at goal was Alex Gibson-Hammond, who also went within inches of opening the scoring. Leeds responded well though and would go close themselves, in what was becoming a hard-fought battle at Meadow Lane. 

A first real opportunity came from full-back, Leo Hjelde, who ventured forward with purpose. His link up with Max McFadden allowed the defender to strike at goal, but he also couldn’t find the target as he struck over.  

Before the interval, Skubala saw his side go even closer. After Kris Moore had done well to knock the ball down in the box, Joe Snowdon picked his spot, only to be denied by the inside of the post. 

That was that before the break, meaning the teams went in level in this Premier League 2 Division 2 clash.

HALF TIME: Nottingham Forest 0-0 Leeds United

The two teams emerged unchanged from the interval, looking to find the opening goal in a tight match. Leeds began the better, with Hjelde having another effort on goal, this time it was blocked. 

Having netted 11 goals so far in the campaign, Joseph had chances to extend that tally. A superb nutmeg on the wing allowed the striker to cut inside and beat the ‘keeper, but he saw his effort blocked. Shortly after, he raced clear on the wing and forced a good save from Shelvey this time. 

Strike partner Sonny Perkins was next up to test the Forest goal. Again Shelvey would come out on top though, making a good save from the low strike. Changes followed soon after as James Debayo, Sean McGurk and Max Dean all entered the action.  

Leeds would find the woodwork going against them again, with 20 minutes remaining. Jeremiah Mullen was the player to go close, smashing his effort off the underside of the bar and clear, then next up Dean’s shot flew just past the post!  

The opening goal came in the final few moments. In a match that had been largely dominated with the referee’s whistle, the hosts would score from a free-kick. Unable to clear the initial danger, Aaron Donnelly took advantage and headed home off the underside of the bar. 

Despite the best efforts of Leeds, their unbeaten record would end and with a first defeat of the season. Next up is a home clash with West Bromwich Albion, at York City’s LNER Community Stadium. 

FULL TIME: Nottingham Forest 1-0 Leeds United