U21s secure well-earned 2-0 win over Newcastle

Leeds United U21 2 (McDonald 18′, Lane 78′)

Leeds: Cook (GK), Lane, Philpott, Howson, Lienou, Howard (Enahoro-Marcus 82′), Vincent, Chadwick, Alker (Whitehead 90′), Pickles (C), McDonald (White 63′). Subs not used: Mahady (GK), Matykiewicz, Egan-Riley, Hodja.

Newcastle: Dowell (GK), Moran (Emerson 46′), Charlton, Craggs, Watts, Bailey (C), Johnson, Alabi (Harper 46′), Cá (Kouossu 73′), Ferreira (Wooster 89′), Seldon (Fitzgeral 63′). Subs not used: Jones (GK), Durrant.

Venue: LNER Community Stadium | Referee: Andrew Miller | Bookings: Alabi, Fitzgerald, Charlton (Newcastle)

Leeds United Under-21s registered a 2-0 win over Newcastle United Under-21s in PL2 on Saturday after an impressive hard-working performance.

Josh McDonald opened the scoring in the 18th minute, before Freddie Lane capped off a well-earned performance with just over 10 minutes to play.

Ahead of kick-off, Scott Gardner named a side featuring five changes from the team that started the Whites’ 4-4 draw away at Middlesbrough Under-21s last time out.

The first real opening of the game fell to the hosts as some neat link-up play down the left flank ended with Louie Philpott sending a low cross into the box.

The ball ricocheted kindly into the path of an unmarked Rhys Chadwick, but as the midfielder swivelled and struck first time, his effort could only clatter against the post.

Leeds continued to apply pressure in the opening stages and were rewarded in the 18th minute as Josh McDonald opened the scoring!

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Freddie Lane initially broke towards the area before feeding Harvey Vincent on the left. The winger drove a low delivery across the face of goal, narrowly evading Chadwick but finding an open McDonald who fired home!

With half an hour gone, the Whites were still well on top, another attack materialising after some excellent patient build-up. However, as Leeds worked the ball into the Newcastle box, it eventually got away from Ollie Pickles, allowing the visitors to clear their lines.

The visitors saw their first opening shortly afterwards, Scott Bailey latching onto a loose ball deep inside the Leeds half before striking over the crossbar from distance.

Jayden Lienou was next to try his luck from range, stepping up to a free-kick around 30 yards out and sending his effort wide of the target.

Lane then sprayed an excellent pass into midfield to release Pickles, who drove forward from the halfway line and carried the ball all the way into the Newcastle box before shooting, but his effort was always rising.

This proved the final opening of the first period, Andrew Miller sounding his whistle moments later to signal the interval.

HALF TIME: Leeds United U21 1-0 Newcastle United U21

After making two substitutions at the break, Newcastle began growing into the game in the opening stages of the second half, but Leeds did well to hold firm.

Chadwick and Vincent, enjoying joy down the right flank, then combined neatly to release the latter into the box, his attempted cross intercepted and diverted out for a corner.

The following delivery fell to Lane at the back post, who was unable to make clean contact to force on target but kept the attack alive momentarily before it eventually fizzled out as the visitors cleared.

Gardner then looked to his bench for the first time, introducing Logan White in place of goalscorer McDonald.

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White immediately was involved, holding the ball up well before launching a counterattack. His prodded ball in-behind was received by Vincent, but his touch took him wide and the winger was only able to force a corner kick.

The Whites made it 2-0 with just over 10 minutes to play through Lane, who reaped the rewards of an impressive performance as he and Vincent again linked up on the right flank.

After receiving the ball from the winger, the Leeds number 2 struck from the edge of the area, his effort taking a fortunate deflection on its way and looping into the back of the net!

What followed was a close contest, neither side able to find an opening, before Johnny Emerson cut inside and struck the bar for the visitors as the clock ticked into stoppage time, which was the last chance of the game.

Next up for the Whites is trip to Barnsley in the Vertu Trophy on Tuesday, kick-off 7pm.

FULL TIME: Leeds United U21 2-0 Newcastle United U21