Pre-season Friendly 

Nottingham Forest 0

Leeds United 2 (Bamford 66’, Poveda 85’)

Forest: Horvath (GK) (Shelvey 60’), Worrall (C), Mangala (Aurier 60’), Williams, Kouyate (Aguilera 60’), Awoniyi (Ui-Jo 45’), Yates (Elanga 60’), Freuler, Danilo (Scarpa 60’), Boly (Panzo 75’), Powell (Wood 60’). Subs not used: Bott (GK), McKenna, Abbott. 

Leeds: Messier (GK), Ayling (Gray 45’), Ampadu (Gyabi 56’), Cooper (C) (Struijk 67’), Bamford (Rutter 67’), James (Gnonto 67’), Sinisterra (Poveda 45’), Byram (Hjelde 67’), Gelhardt (Joseph 67’), Cresswell, Shackleton. Subs not used: Klaesson (GK), Van den Heuvel (GK), Bate. 

Venue: Pirelli Stadium

Attendance: 5,114

Referee: C. Pawson

Booked: n/a

Leeds United travelled away from home to take on Premier League side Nottingham Forest at the neutral ground of the Pirelli Stadium in their latest pre-season friendly.

A really strong performance from Daniel Farke’s side saw them come away with a more than deserved two-goal victory, after second half goals from Patrick Bamford and Ian Poveda. 

The Whites came into the match having played two tough previous encounters against Manchester United and AS Monaco during their summer preparations.

Played at the Pirelli Stadium, home of Sky Bet League One side Burton Albion, Forest were the next test for Daniel Farke’s side in another competitive fixture as they themselves continued to build fitness ahead of the new campaign.

Prior to kick-off, both Farke and Forest boss Steve Cooper were accompanied into the centre circle with the captain of each side, Liam Cooper and Joe Worrall, to lay flowers and shirts in memory of Trevor Francis and Chris Bart-Williams. 

The two former Forest players had very sadly passed away earlier in the week and both teams, along with supporters from either side, paid tribute to the former players. 

When the match got underway, Leeds were nearly ahead inside the opening two minutes. Luis Sinisterra picked up a good lay-off from Bamford and struck left-footed, seeing his effort tipped onto the post by Ethan Horvath. 

Ryan Yates was the first to go close then for Forest, shortly after, but he could only find the side netting. Illan Meslier was tested in the Leeds goal minutes later though when he denied Danilo’s header. 

In what was a hard-fought encounter, Jamie Shackleton was the next to force a save from Horvarth before Taiwo Awoniyi chipped over when well placed at the other end.  

The first half was brought to a close in Staffordshire with the scores still level.

HALF TIME: Nottingham Forest 0-0 Leeds United

There was just the two changes for Leeds at the break. Luke Ayling and Sinisterra came off, with Poveda and Archie Gray entering the match. Poveda was lively straight away and created a good chance with Dan James, only to see a last-ditch block deny the strike from the latter. 

The score was then opened in the 66th minute, with an excellent finish from United’s number nine, Bamford. The striker cleverly intercepted a back-pass, composed himself before rolling the ball under his foot and past substitute goalkeeper George Shelvey, then firing home into the far corner.

65' Goal! Bamford picks up on a Forest mistake and rolls it past the keeper! 0-1 pic.twitter.com/WH9vn7URCr

— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 27, 2023

Farke made changes straight after the goal. Liam Cooper, Sam Byram, Joe Gelhardt, James and Bamford were all replaced by Georginio Rutter, Willy Gnonto, Pascal Struijk, Leo Hjelde and Mateo Joseph with 25 minutes or so to play. 

It was Leeds who continued to remain on top in the game but the chances had influence on each side. Poveda was a constant threat for Leeds and shot narrowly wide of the goal, whilst recently brought into the match and new-signing Anthony Elanga, was pushing forward with pace for the Reds. 

Former Leeds striker Chris Wood then had a chance for Forest, after being another player to be introduced in the second half. Despite his best efforts though, Charlie Cresswell put in a solid last ditch challenge to deny the striker a clear effort on goal. 

Inside the final 10 minutes, the Whites doubled their lead and it was deservedly so after an excellent second half display, as Poveda who got the goal. 

Gray pressed forward through the midfield and played a neat pass into Rutter, who in turn laid it off to Poveda. The winger had plenty of work to do but controlled, took another stride forward before firing low into the corner with his left-foot to get a second for Farke’s side.  

85' IAN POVEDA! What a second half performance, capped off by a brilliant goal! 0-2 pic.twitter.com/LYgm7X1Do7

— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 27, 2023

In what had been an enjoyable display from Leeds, the final whistle sounded and brought the game to a close in Staffordshire.

FULL TIME: Nottingham Forest 0-2 Leeds United