Leeds 'B' 3 v Barnsley 1 - Saturday 22nd November
It was rather a chilly morning in Leeds and a stiff breeze was blowing down the field. Leeds started the 1st half playing into the wind and from the kick off looked very lively down the right with Ryan Bedford, Jack Carr & Jack Cooper linking up well to create some early crosses into the Barnsley area which unfortunately came to nothing. Barnsley raised their game and at times the Leeds defence struggled to clear the ball against the wind. A free kick needlessly given away on the edge of the Leeds area almost led to the 1st goal, the Barnsley number 16 hitting a fierce shot which luckily for Leeds hit the crossbar as keeper Nicky Myers could do nothing about it. Leeds bounced back and continued to dominate for much of the half and the supporters felt it was only a matter of time before they got on the score sheet. George Hamnett battled valiantly in the centre of midfield and had a shot saved from the edge of the area out for a corner. 3 corners in succession from Leeds had Barnsley on the back foot, but a clearance from the final corner saw a Barnsley player run the full length of the field unchallenged and slot the ball into the Leeds goal giving Nicky Myers no chance. 0-1
Leeds seemed to struggle a bit after this & the game became very scrappy with no clear cut chances being created although some good passing from Oscar Turnbull from the back helped Leeds push forward. With a minute to go Ryan Bedford sent Jack Carr free on the right & his deep cross was handled by a Barnsley player in the area - penalty !
With nobody rushing forward to take it, Jack Carr placed the ball on the spot & shot the ball straight at the keeper, no goal. Luck was on Leeds side though as the referee ordered a re-take due to a defender rushing into the area. This time Ben Hinchcliffe stepped up to take it & he struck the ball straight at the keeper as well, fortunately for Leeds the ball slipped though his legs into the back of the net. 1-1 at half time.
With the wind behind them, 4 second half substitutes & Mr Tonges animated half time team talk ringing in their ears, the boys looked more positive from the off. Leeds were the better side & created some good shooting opportunities but the lads seemed a little "shot shy" and seemed reluctant to have a go at goal with the wind behind them. Lawrence Wilson, Adam Drake & Todd Thackray were solid at the back and their performance left keeper Nicky Myers with nothing to do but stand and spectate. Matty Booth & Callum Barron linked up well down the left, Callum making a couple of very good runs at the Barnsley defence which came to nothing. Matty Wheeler was involved in some good passing moves with George Hamnett but the lads seemed to be unable to find the back of the net. With 10 minutes to go the breakthrough finally came. A long throw from Matty Booth just inside the Barnsley half found Mitch Pattinson unmarked in the centre of the field - his turn & run left the Barnsley team stood watching & he calmly shot into the right hand corner of the net. 2-1
Barnsley came back at Leeds and it was a nervous end to the game. It was finally put out of reach when a move down the right found Ryan Bedford who put in a lovely little back flick sending Kristian Smith clear down the wing. His run and cross was not cleared by the Barnsley defence & Matty Wheeler popped up to send the ball towards the far corner. It looked like it was going in but Ben Hinchcliffe stepped in to make sure & put the ball into the corner of the net. 3-1 final score.
Another good performance from the team and a win they thoroughly deserved in difficult conditions. Given the possession they had in the 2nd half the 3 goals could have perhaps been more, but the 3 points should push them into the upper half of the league table.