U21s Report: Liverpool 2-1 Leeds United
· Yahoo Sports
Premier League 2
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Liverpool U21 2 (Wright 66’ pen, 78’)
Leeds United U21 1 (Njinko 47’)
Liverpool: Hall (GK), Mabaya, Chambers (Cissé 62’), Pitt, Lucky, Upton (Onanuga 82’), O’Connor, Laffey (C), W Wright, Danns (Lambie 45’), Norales (Bradshaw 75’). Subs not used: M Wright (GK), Ayman.
Leeds: Ombang (GK), Vincent, Lane (McDonald 75’), Cresswell (C), Lienou, Howson, Alker (Trialist 67’), Chadwick, Njinko (Render 75’), Pickles, Mills. Subs not used: Kenyon (GK), Enahoro-Marcus, Whitehead, Philpott.
Venue: LFC Academy | Referee: Richie Watkins | Booked: Lucky, Wright (Liverpool) Chadwick, Howson, Lane (Leeds)
Despite taking an early second half lead thanks to the in-form Carrick Njinko, Leeds United Under-21s fell to a narrow Premier League 2 defeat on the road to Liverpool Under-21s.
Scott Gardner’s side started well in Merseyside with a first notable chance coming after nine minutes. Callum Mills, Njinko and Freddie Lane combined to force Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Bailey Hall, into action.
Mills started the move but it was a smart dummy from Njinko that allowed Lane to find space in between the hosts’ back line, cutting onto his right foot and shooting low towards the bottom left corner of the goal, forcing a good save by Hall.
From then on it was a back and forth first half, with the two teams creating a couple of opportunities each as they searched for the opener.
Following the early fight from Leeds, Liverpool settled into the game, creating what was the best chance of the first half after 18-minutes when Keyrol Norales turned himself into a shooting position from just right of the penalty spot in the Leeds box.
His shot rocketed towards the bottom right corner of the net but Darryl Ombang got down low to his left to make an excellent reaction save, keeping the deadlock unbroken with a strong hand.
United then had the third opening of the match with captain Alfie Cresswell trying his luck from 25-yards out. His powerful strike again orced Hall into a diving stop to prevent the visitors from taking the lead.
Finally, just before half-time, experienced Leeds mentor Jonny Howson was adjudged to have committed a foul on the edge of his own box, giving away a dangerous free kick. However, the shot did not trouble Ombang, flying over the top of the crossbar.
This was the last noteworthy action of the first 45 and referee Richie Watkins signalled for half time shortly after.
HALF TIME: Liverpool U21 0-0 Leeds United U21
The second half began with Leeds commanding possession, moving the ball with an impressive intent and being rightly rewarded for their spirited start when Njinko opened the scoring for the Whites.
Play was worked down the right wing and Harvey Vincent whipped a challenging cross into the hosts’ box. The danger was not cleared and fell to the feet of Njinko, who swivelled and hit a first time shot beyond his defending counterpart. The ball found the top left corner, giving the visitors the lead and Njinko his fourth goal in two games!
There were not many chances from this point on as the game began to break down. However, 20 minutes after going behind, the hosts were handed a chance to level as a fast break down the right wing led to Isaac Mabaya being brought down on the edge of the penalty box.
The officials convened and the decision was made that contact continued into the box, resulting in a spot kick for the hosts. This was put away into the bottom left corner by Liverpool’s Will Wright, bringing the scores level.
The final goal of the game went the hosts’ way as well, cruelly denying a bright Leeds performance from being rewarded with a minimum of one point. This was again scored by Wright, who, in the 78th minute, hit an impressive strike from 10-yards out.
Liverpool then managed to consolidate this one goal advantage until the full-time whistle and, although there were moments of promise for the Whites in the final stages, the game ended 2-1 to the home team.
Gardner’s side are back in action on Friday evening with a trip to the capital to face Charlton U21s in the Premier League Cup.
FULL TIME: Liverpool U21 2-1 Leeds United U21