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U21s: Leeds 1 United 2
Two first-half goals from Jack Fletcher earned Manchester United Under-21s an important 2-1 away win over Leeds United on Good Friday.
Gusty winds at Leeds' Thorp Arch HQ made it difficult for both sides, but United carved out a healthy advantage in the first 45, thanks to Fletcher's finishes.
Leeds pulled one back in the second period through defender Louie Philpott, but the Reds stood firm as the Yorkshire club applied significant pressure in the final 20 minutes.
Leeds pulled one back in the second period through defender Louie Philpott, but the Reds stood firm as the Yorkshire club applied significant pressure in the final 20 minutes.
The result leaves us level on points with Chelsea at the top of the Premier League 2 table, with one fixture remaining before the start of the elimination play-offs.
Fletcher breaks deadlock against Leeds Video
Fletcher breaks deadlock against Leeds
LIVE ON MUTV | Watch the inswinging cross that gave the U21s the lead against arch-rivals Leeds...
FIRST HALF
The match began at high pace, but both teams' attacking ambitions were complicated by the strong winds blustering over Thorp Arch.
The match began at high pace, but both teams' attacking ambitions were complicated by the strong winds blustering over Thorp Arch.
Conditions made judging aerial balls particularly trying, and it was no coincidence that United's only serious attempt in the first 20 minutes came via a deflected Jack Fletcher cross that fizzed just wide.
Both sides were very evenly matched during that first phase, but the Reds broke through in the 24th minute when Shea Lacey teed up Jack Fletcher for another inswinger, which flew on the wind past everyone inside the box, including Leeds goalkeeper Alex Cairns.
That first moment of consequence signalled a major shift in the game, with United thereafter assuming significant control. Chido went through just before the half-hour mark, and Cairns did well to save low down to his right, and Sonny Aljofree really should have scored when a perfect cross from the other Fletcher brother, Tyler, found him free just yards out.
But one minute before the interval, United found a merited second, when Shea Lacey and Jack Moorhouse combined with slick purpose to send Jack Fletcher through to double his haul.
SECOND HALF
The hosts almost earned an early ticket back into the game six minutes after the restart, when Tyler Fletcher was caught on the edge of the box. But United were spared, as Leeds' Harvey Vincent crashed his shot against the post, with the goal gaping.
The hosts almost earned an early ticket back into the game six minutes after the restart, when Tyler Fletcher was caught on the edge of the box. But United were spared, as Leeds' Harvey Vincent crashed his shot against the post, with the goal gaping.
Leeds did thrust themselves back into the contest midway through the second period, however, when a fantastic strike from Louie Philpott smashed off the post and in from an improbable angle.
With the wind now at Leeds' back, rather than United's, Lawrence's lads had to withstand plenty of pressure in the final stages, but Fletcher's first-half brace proved enough to ensure our penultimate Premier League 2 fixture ended with victory.
With the wind now at Leeds' back, rather than United's, Lawrence's lads had to withstand plenty of pressure in the final stages, but Fletcher's first-half brace proved enough to ensure our penultimate Premier League 2 fixture ended with victory.
Fletcher doubles his tally Video
Fletcher doubles his tally
LIVE ON MUTV | What a move! Watch Lacey, Moorhouse and Jack Fletcher combine for our silky second against Leeds...
MATCH DETAILS
Leeds: Cairns; Lane (Dudley 63), Howard (Mills 46), Lienou, Philpott; Crew, Cresswell (c); Chambers (Alker 46), Pickles, Chadwick; Vincent.
Unused substitutes: Kenyon, Njinko.
Booked: Dudley.
Booked: Dudley.
Goals: Philpott 68.
United: Murdock; Jackson, Aljofree, Fredricson (c, Armer 46), Kukonki; Moorhouse (Lusale 70), J. Fletcher, T. Fletcher; Lacey (McAllister 63), Obi (Overy 85), Musa.
Unused substitutes: Byrne-Hughes.
Booked: Aljofree, J. Fletcher.
Goals: J. Fletcher 24, 44.
WATCH THE UNDER-21S PLAY REAL MADRID
Following our Roses clash in Yorkshire, attention swiftly turns to Old Trafford, where United will welcome Spanish giants Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Premier League International Cup.
The game takes place next Tuesday (7 April), with kick-off at 19:00 BST, and tickets are available here. MUTV will also be broadcasting the action live, for anyone unable to make it down to M16.
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