U21s Report: Leeds United 0-3 Charlton Athletic | OneFootball

Premier League Cup

Leeds United U21 0

Charlton Athletic U21 3 (Hobden 12’, Rylah 42’, Dixon 50’)

Leeds: Mahady (GK), Dudley (Firth 46’), Ferguson, Cresswell (C), Monteiro, Moore, Douglas, Crew (Pickles 81’), Richards (Lane 66’), Chadwick, McDonald. Subs not used: Grainger (GK), Hamilton.

Charlton: MacLorg (GK), Laqeretabua, Enslin, Kedwell, Toure, Hunter (C), Hobden, Wales (Safa 46’), Dixon (Tagoe 81’), Rylah (Casey 71’), Fullah (Huke 71’). Subs not used: Sadler (GK).

Venue: LNER Community Stadium

Referee: Callum Jones

Booked: Crew, Moore, Chadwick (Leeds) Laqeretabua, Kedwell (Charlton)

Leeds United Under-21s fell to defeat against a strong Charlton Athletic Under-21s side in their penultimate Premier League Cup group stage match on a bitterly cold afternoon at the LNER Community Stadium.

Leeds had started on the front foot from the off; a marauding run from Josh McDonald saw the winger work the ball to Connor Douglas who in turn picked out Joe Richards inside the area, though Addicks’ goalkeeper Lennon MacLorg raced out to smother the danger.

A swirling Rhys Chadwick delivery from a corner then bounced the way of Charlie Crew on the edge of the area as Scott Gardner’s side searched for an early opener, but striking the ball first time, the onrushing midfielder dragged a powerful effort wide of the upright.

After weathering the early storm, Ibrahim Fullah raced onto a long, searching ball from defender Seydil Toure and struck from distance for the visitors, with a fine retreating challenge from Alfie Cresswell diverting the ball behind.

From the resulting set piece, however, Ollie Hobden was well placed for Charlton to bundle home from close range as the South London outfit went ahead.

Searching to double their advantage, Hobden then threaded a pass in behind the Whites’ backline with forward Henry Rylah in pursuit, but alert goalkeeping from Rory Mahady allowed the Scot to hack clear.

Kaheim Dixon was next to go close for the away team, drilling wide of the far post from a narrow angle, after a blocked Kai Enslin drive fortuitously fell at the striker’s feet, before Josh Laqeretabua headed over the bar as Chris Lock’s side enjoyed a long spell of pressure.

Keen to wrestle back momentum, McDonald again darted in-field for United and fizzed a pass out to Douglas on the right flank. Surging into the area, the forward looked to pick out the far corner with an inventive curling strike, only for the retreating Mason Hunter who managed to make a crucial interception.

The game was beginning to become more open approaching the break, and superb last-ditch defending from Diogo Monteiro prevented Dixon an opening inside the area, after Rylah had linked up with Hobden and found space out wide.

A rifled Harvey Kedwell drive was beaten away by Mahady as Charlton threatened again, with Monteiro on hand moments later to block Manu Wales’ shot eight yards from goal.

The Addicks weren’t to be denied a second before half-time however, when Rylah raced onto a clever ball in behind, rounded Mahady and calmly slotted into the back of the net.

HALF TIME: Leeds United U21 0-2 Charlton Athletic U21

A first change at the afternoon from Gardner brought Will Firth into the action, with the young defender replacing Louie Dudley at right-back.

The substitute was straight into the action, dispossessing Enslin on the edge of the Leeds penalty area before finding Chadwick. The midfielder hooked a lofted pass over the top which Richards scampered after, forcing a Charlton shirt into conceding a corner.

From the set-piece, a whipped and dipping out-swinging delivery from Chadwick, the ball cannoned off Cresswell and bounced agonisingly across the face of goal and away from danger.

Immediately down the other end, Kedwell capitalised on the Whites’ surrendering possession and charged forward, laying it off for Dixon who fired beyond Mahady and into the bottom corner.

Not to be deterred by the scoreline, great persistence and tenacity allowed Richards to win back possession inside the visitors’ penalty area, squaring it invitingly the way of Chadwick who saw a fierce attempt charged down by Toure.

Approaching the hour mark and Chadwick went even closer, only denied by a magnificent diving save by Charlton keeper MacLorg.

McDonald had switched play to Douglas initially as United broke with pace, with the forward cutting the ball back for Chadwick whose first-time strike looked destined to sail into the top corner, before MacLorg somehow managed to parry away the drive.

The Addicks’ stopper was busy once more with Leeds again on the front foot, gratefully clutching McDonald’s volleyed effort after the winger met Douglas’ cross on the penalty spot.

Substitute Freddie Lane then went close, dragging wide of the far post from the edge of the area, after Firth had crossed dangerously into the path of the attacker.

Further chances came and went for both sides before referee Callum Jones brought proceedings to a close, leaving United with one match remaining in their Premier League Cup group stage campaign, against Birmingham City at the start of February.

FULL TIME: Leeds United U21 0-3 Charlton Athletic U21