Report: Leeds United U21s 2-4 Iron

Following a close encounter with League One opponents Barnsley the previous day, another Scunthorpe XI would make the trip to the Thorp Arch Training Centre to face off against Leeds United U21’s in a behind closed doors affair.

With the Iron looking to push the majority of their players to 90 minutes over the course of the week, first team manager Andy Butler would also look to use this game as a chance to reintroduce some of his players who had been carrying knocks in recent weeks, with Oli Rose, Branden Horton, Joe Starbuck and Luke Brennan all given the chance to play throughout the encounter.

United’s positive performance against the Tykes had started with a strong opening five minutes to proceedings and this encounter was no different as within the early exchanges there would be a golden chance for United’s trialist striker when he burst in behind the Leeds defensive line, carrying the ball up to the edge of the area before toe poking an effort just wide of the target.

In the minutes that followed this opportunity the hosts would have their own chance to take an early lead when some intricate passing down the right allowed for their right wing-back to receive the ball in the area before striking a shot across the goal that forced a strong stop out of Maison Campbell to keep the scores level as the young shot-stopper made himself big to deny. 

As the half progressed the two sides would begin to test one another more frequently and the hosts should’ve very well taken the lead when a teasing cross to the back post found the run of the Leeds centre forward at the far post who seemed to not know a lot about the cross, somehow heading over from but a matter of yards. 

With Scunthorpe looking to provide a response to this chance as quickly as possible, they would come the closest yet to breaking the deadlock courtesy of some sublime solo play from Kyle Hurst to firstly spin his marker in the middle of the bit and then finesse a fantastic low shot towards the bottom corner that had the keeper well beaten but clipped the inside of the post, spinning across the goal line before being swept away.

With 25 minutes on the clock at Thorpe Arch, Leeds would be awarded a free-kick in a perfect position directly on the edge of the area that would result in the games opening goal. As expected from the position it was in the effort from the Whites player was pinpointed to the top corner, beating Campbell’s dive to give his team the lead.

Despite being behind Scunthorpe would refuse to be disheartened, pushing towards an equaliser straight from the restart and they would go on to find it within the next ten minutes. 

With the trialist looking lively in and around the the penalty area he would be granted his rewards when yet again he spun his marker and latched onto a low pass in behind the Leeds defence, bringing the bouncing ball under his spell before rifling a volley beyond the goalkeeper to level the scores. 

With half-time fast approaching the Iron’s offensive onslaught would result in them taking the lead though a lovely well worked team move. Getting play back underway with a quick throw in, an elegant one two to move possession around the Leeds players would see Branden Horton burst down the left flank, buying himself time to cross the ball across the face of goal for the waiting Joe Starbuck in the area who placed the ball into the bottom corner for 2-1.

Following the half-time break in which the Iron opted to make three alterations, managing minutes by introducing Luke Brennan, Harry Shipstone and Sam Aston to the fray, United would start proceedings the brighter of the two outfits with a number of early corners to test their opponents defence.

Although these set-pieces would prove to no avail for the Iron, it wouldn’t take long for them to expand on their advantage as a deep cross to the back post was perfectly weighted for the run of Shipstone at the far post, who just managed to knick infront of his marker to direct an effort on target that was trickling across the goal line with an attempt to touch home from the trialist striker who looked to double his account for the afternoon, while Shipstone looked to claim his first goal in claret and blue. 

With United in command of the fixture they would look to expand on their lead almost immediately when Jacob Butterfield received possession 20 yards from goal, settling himself before unleashing one of his signature long ranged pile drivers that caught the goalkeeper off guard, forcing him into a reflex save to push the ball over the bar.  

With Butler’s side playing some remarkable free flowing football in the final third, they would again open up the field of play to produce another goal scoring opportunity as Hurst coasted into the penalty area, opting to go on his own to try and finish the attack with a drive towards the target that drew a strong palm out of the goalkeeper to push he shot clear of the danger area.

As the half drew on and Leeds began to grown back into the encounter, the hosts would be granted a lifeline from the penalty spot as a cross into the area would flick up onto the hand of Branden Horton resulting in a spot kick. From the resultant penalty the ball would be dispatched into the bottom corner, setting up for a nervy end to the encounter. 

The Iron had looked impressive from corners all afternoon and they would very nearly make the most of one of Butterfield’s delivery’s when Kameron Ali won the initial contact inside the area, nodding the ball into the path of Hurst at the back post who flicked the ball home, however he would be flagged offside by the linesman keeping the score at 3-2.

With less than ten minutes remaining United would find the goal they desired to kill off the encounter when a well worked move between Hurst, Brennan and Butterfield saw the latter receive the ball on the edge of the area, loading up a strike that arrowed beyond the keepers reach and into the bottom corner. 

With this the game would come to it’s close with United running out worthy winners, seeing off their youthful opponents, with some senior talent, by playing some lovely free flowing football that we can hope to see more of come the seasons start date in two weeks time. 

IRON: Campbell, Rose (Aston, 45), Horton, Belehouan, Beestin, Smith (Brennan, 45), Hurst, Starbuck (Uppal, 60), Ogle (Shipstone, 45), Butterfield, Trialist (Ali, 60).