Premier League International Cup Report: Leeds United U21s 2-0 Athletic Club B | OneFootball

Premier League International Cup

Leeds United U21 2 (Cresswell 57’, White 77’)

Athletic Club B 0

Leeds: Ombang (GK), Douglas, Firth, Pickles, Howard, Howson, Vincent (Whitehead 90’), Cresswell (C), Render (Dudley 83’), Brockie (White 68’), McDonald. Subs not used: Cook (GK), Philpott.

Athletic Club: Gallastegi, Liceaga (Álvarez 80’), El Arbaoui, Martínez, Carril, Iturria (Recari 81’), Oyharçabal, Encinas, Camilo (Cueva 70’), García (C) (Goyogana 58’), Cobos (Urrestarazu 58’). Subs not used: Tasio (GK), Torres.

Referee: Melissa Burgin

Booked: Douglas, Pickles (Leeds) El Arbaoui, García (Athletic Club)

Venue: LNER Community Stadium

Second half strikes from Alfie Cresswell and Logan White fired Leeds United Under-21s to a fantastic victory over Athletic Club B in the Premier League International Cup!

The Whites have now collected six points from six available to start the campaign, putting them in the driving seat as they look to progress to the knockout stages.

Scott Gardner made three changes to the side that faced Fleetwood Town in the Vertu Trophy last time out, handing starts in the heart of defence to mentor Jonny Howson and Under-18s regular Jacob Howard, as well as Jacob Render who spearheaded the attack.

Having beaten Portuguese team Sporting CP B in the opener, attentions turned to the clash with the Basque outfit as Leeds searched for a second win as many matches.

The hosts had to be vigilant in the early stages, however, to prevent an early Athletic opener when full-back Will Firth was well placed to hack Alain Cobos’ low effort off the line before goalkeeper Darryl Ombang was equal to a header from the resulting corner.

After reacting well to the fast start from the Spaniards, Leeds launched an electric break of their own through Render on the right who crossed for the onrushing Devon Brockie at the front post.

Fresh from signing a first professional contract during the week, a clever first touch took the forward away from a navy shirt, but from a narrow angle, he was unable to direct an effort on target.

The next attack brought United even closer to taking the lead. Brockie initially picked out the run of Harvey Vincent excellently who darted towards goal and beat Zugatz Gallastegi, only for the foot of the woodwork to come to the Bilbao stopper’s rescue. The ball then cannoned off Render who had no time react and bounced agonisingly behind.

Gardner’s side were beginning to dominate and Render, having been played through by Josh McDonald, forced a fine low save from Gallastegi approaching the half-hour mark.

It was Ombang’s turn to be busy next, springing to his left to gather Urko Liceaga’s goalbound strike after the right-back had produced a fine piece of skill to work a yard of space in the penalty area.

The keeper then produced an even better intervention, parrying a powerful Oihan Encinas shot away through a sea of bodies in a crowded Leeds box.

The Basque team enjoyed a sustained spell of possession approaching the break but the Whites’ defence stood firm until referee Melissa Burgin’s whistle brought an entertaining opening period to a close.

HALF TIME: Leeds United U21 0-0 Athletic Club B

Both sides emerged from the interval unchanged and Gardner saw his side almost draw first blood as Vincent was well placed to meet a cross from skipper Creswell at the back post. The attacker flicked a volleyed effort towards goal, forcing Gallastegi into an impressive reaction save to keep the scores level.

Following another incisive slick move from the hosts, Brockie was denied by some last ditch defending as he looked to pick out the far corner. The visitors’ reprieve was only momentary, though, as the ball rolled out to Cresswell on the edge of the area…

From which, the captain struck first time, firing emphatically beyond the Bilbao stopper and into the back of the net, cueing great scenes of celebration in York!

A first change from the dugout introduced White into the action with just over 20 minutes of time remaining as the 17-year-old replaced Brockie in a change to the attacking system.

And within moments, that would prove to be an inspired substitution as the attacker latched onto an intricately threaded through ball from Cresswell and raced in behind the visitors’ backline.

Marauding to the edge of the Bilbao area, White instinctively let fly, putting his laces through a thunderous strike that arrowed beyond a helpless Gallastegi to double the lead!

The hosts had a chance to extend their advantage when McDonald saw his back post header cleared off the line by a navy shirt, before Louie Dudley was then welcomed into proceedings in place of the hard-working Render.

Athletic Club searched for a late lifeline as they piled bodies forward in the final stages but the Leeds defence stood as firm as it had all evening, including a pair of superb saves from Ombang and a goal ruled out for offside, to seal a memorable victory.

The Whites’ record of six points from their opening two encounters takes them to the summit of Group D ahead of upcoming clashes with Borussia Dortmund and Anderlecht.

FULL TIME: Leeds United U21 2-0 Athletic Club B