**Premier League 2**
**Leeds United U21 2** (Chadwick 28’, Gray 32’)
**Manchester United U21 2** (Kone 67’, Mather 70’ pen)
**Leeds:** Mahady (GK), Douglas, Ferguson, Monteiro, Debayo, Trialist, McDonald, Cresswell (C), Gray (Richards 32’), Chadwick, Chambers. **Subs not used:** Grainger (GK), Moore, Nfonkeu, Vincent.
**Manchester United:** Byrne-Hughes (GK), Ogunneye, Mills, Fredricson (C), Murray, Kone, Overy (Baumann 60’), Ibragimov, Musa, Moorhouse (Bailey 84’), Mather (Ngwashi 73’). **Subs not used:** Myles (GK), Rowe.
**Venue:** Thorp Arch
**Referee:** Aaron Jackson
**Booked:** Chadwick, Monteiro, Cresswell (Leeds) Ogunneye, Moorhouse, Ngwashi (Manchester United)
Leeds United Under-21s were forced to settle for a point in the Premier League 2 against Manchester United Under-21s, despite first-half goals from Alfie Cresswell and Harry Gray at Thorp Arch.
The encounter started evenly with both sides enjoying a fair share of possession, though it was the visitors who had the first sight of goal when James Overy and Jack Moorhouse combined well down the right, with the latter forcing Rory Mahady into a superb sprawling save from close range.
In swirling winds, Amir Ibragimov then had the ball in the back of the net for the away team after Victor Musa’s header had cannoned off the woodwork and fell kindly into his path, only for the assistant’s flag to be raised for an offside against the midfielder.
A crucial last-ditch challenge from James Debayo dispossessed Sam Mather as Manchester United attacked once more, with the defender expertly tackling the winger who had found space on the left.
Down the other end, the Whites broke at speed through Rhys Chadwick who in turn picked out the overlapping Connor Douglas, but his cross looking for Gray flashed across the face of goal and away from danger.
Josh McDonald was next to try release the forward after driving at the opposition’s defence and threading a pass in behind, which goalkeeper Cameron Byrne-Hughes scampered out to collect.
There was nothing the stopper could do to prevent the opener just moments later however, when skipper Cresswell lashed a thunderous, or perhaps fortunate, effort in off the underside of the crossbar from distance. Whether the versatile midfielder was going for goal or crossing to the back post, only he will know!
There was no doubt about the intent of the second goal however! A wonderful flowing move resulted in McDonald delivering a fine pass into the path of Gray who finished confidently into the top corner to extend his side’s lead!
Approaching the break, Chadwick thought he had added a third as his dangerous in-swinging corner sailed over Byrne-Hughes and into the back of the net, only for referee Aaron Jackson to signal a foul on the keeper.
**HALF TIME: Leeds United U21 2-0 Manchester United U21**
Both sides emerged unchanged for the second half, with the visitors starting brightly as they looked to find a route back into the clash.
Attacker Sam Mather firstly curled an audacious strike over the upright before the forward, alongside Jack Moorhouse, both saw close range efforts charged down superbly by a number of white shirts following a scramble inside the area.
On the break, Scott Gardner’s side looked particularly dangerous and Sam Chambers, who had been impressive all afternoon driving at the away side’s backline, forced a fine fingertip save from Byrne-Hughes who then reacted well to prevent Chadwick from following up.
Immediately down the other end, Mather went close to halving the deficit as he latched onto a long pass and drilled low beyond Mahady, but the attempt glanced off the foot of upright and away from danger.
Chadwick was then well placed for the Whites, clearing Ibragimov’s dangerous cross after the midfielder had wriggled free down the left and sent an enticing ball into the area.
The away team grabbed a lifeline with just over 20 minutes of time remaining courtesy of Sekou Kone, who lashed a loose ball into the roof of the net from a corner.
Moments later, Travis Binnion’s side drew level from the spot through Mather, after Kone went to ground under a challenge from Diogo Monteiro.
Keen to wrestle back momentum, Leeds were pressing intently as they looked to restore their lead and went close to doing just that as Douglas charged down Byrne-Hughes’ attempted clearance, seeing the ball fly past the upright.
The versatile Douglas and left-back Connor Ferguson then linked up well down the flank, resulting in the defender weaving into the area before his low cross deflected behind. From the resulting set-piece, Monteiro rose highest to meet Chadwick’s delivery, powering a header over the bar.
Further chances came for both sides, including a Zach Baumann effort which Cresswell brilliantly stooped to head clear off the line, before Jackson’s full-time whistle sounded.
**FULL TIME: Leeds United U21 2-2 Manchester United U21**