U21s Report: Crystal Palace 3-2 Leeds United | OneFootball

Premier League 2

Crystal Palace U21 3 (Rodney 5’, Esse 22’, Browne 90’)

Leeds United U21 2 (Vincent 39’, Render 83’)

Palace: Lee (GK), Grante, Fasida, Jemide, Browne (C), Reid, Drakes-Thomas (C) (Whyte 46’), Rodney (Dashi 62’), Marsh, Nascimento (Casey 82’), Esse (Williams 46’). Sub not used: Walker-Smith.

Leeds: Mahady (GK), Dudley (Firth 80’), Lienou, Pickles (C), Lopata-White, Howson, Vincent (Render 80’), Douglas, Brockie (Pirie 61’), Chadwick, McDonald (White 69’). Sub not used: Ombang (GK).

Referee: Isaac Searle

Booked: Rodney, Reid, Fasida, Jemide, Browne (Palace) Lopata-White, Pickles, Pirie, Lienou, Mahady (Leeds)

Sent off: Chadwick (Leeds)

Venue: VBS Community Stadium

Leeds United Under-21s were cruelly denied a point in the capital as they fell to a last-minute defeat against Crystal Palace Under-21s in the Premier League 2, despite having fought back from two-goals down.

Ahead of the clash, boss Scott Gardner had named three changes to the side that were triumphant over Scunthorpe United on cup duties last time out, handing starts to Louie Dudley, Harvey Vincent and Devon Brockie.

A return to the VBS Community Stadium brought back fond memories for the young Whites who last season lifted the National League Cup at the ground after beating Sutton United in the final.

The visitors started on the front foot and took the lead in the opening minutes as Kaden Rodney was well placed to bundle home following the experienced Romain Esse’s teasing delivery into the area.

Adler Nascimento then went close for the Eagles, twisting and turning his way to the edge of the penalty area before lashing a powerful drive wide of the upright.

United responded well to the early set back however as Vincent went close after being found by Josh McDonald though, under pressure, the attacker was unable to work Harry Lee in the Palace goal.

Despite the visitors growing into the encounter, Esse doubled the hosts’ advantage with an emphatic low strike that nestled into the bottom corner beyond the despairing dive of Rory Mahady.

Keen to get a foothold in the fixture, a dangerous Rhys Chadwick cut-back almost fell to the feet of the onrushing Brockie inside the penalty area, only for a retreating red and blue shirt to hack clear before the striker could arrive.

Leeds halved the deficit approaching the break in perhaps rather fortuitous circumstances through Vincent, whose swirling cross wrongfooted Lee and sailed into the back of the net.

Chadwick had initially done superbly to pick out the attacker on the flank before the 18-year-old, whether intentional or not, caught the Palace keeper out!

Moments before the half-time whistle sounded, Brockie went desperately close to restoring parity as he met Jayden Lienou’s enticing cross, flashing a first-time effort beyond the far post.

HALF TIME: Crystal Palace U21 2-1 Leeds United U21

Leeds emerged from the interval unchanged and began the second period in similar fashion to how they finished the first, pressing intently and piling bodies forward in search of an equaliser.

From kick-off they almost did exactly that as Vincent cut inside from the right flank and looked to curl one into the far corner. Lee scampered across his goal but the ball bounced agonisingly wide.

An in-swinging cross from the lively McDonald then somehow evaded everyone in the middle, forcing the Eagles’ stopper into a fine diving save to gather.

With the Whites firmly on top as the pressure continued to mount in the capital, a first change from the dugout saw Gardner refresh his forward line as Lewis Pirie replaced the hard-working Brockie.

For all United’s dominance, the hosts still offered a threat on the break and defender Reuben Lopata-White had to be alert, well placed to hook Tyler Whyte’s flicked header away as Nascimento lurked at the back post.

A second alteration arrived with just over 20 minutes remaining on the clock. Logan White, who has started the season in fine form for Rob Etherington’s U18s, was brought on for McDonald.

A neat interchange involving Jonny Howson and Chadwick then laid the ball off for Connor Douglas to strike, firing over from distance. A final double change moments later introduced Will Firth and Jacob Render into the action.

The leveller deservedly came in the closing stages with two substitutes combining in fine fashion! White did brilliantly initially, creating space before crossing to the back post.

Render met the ball from close range and, despite the best efforts of Lee, fired a first-time shot into the back of the net!

Despite Leeds showing great character to fight back, Palace cruelly snatched all three points deep into injury time through Luke Browne, with Chadwick seeing red before Isaac Searle brought a feisty encounter to a close.

FULL TIME: Crystal Palace U21 3-2 Leeds United U21