Preseason match recap: Leeds United outclass neighbours Guiseley AFC 5-1

Stuart Dallas and Lee Erwin both scored two goals and Marcus Antonsson added another for Leeds United as the coasted past National League side Guiseley AFC at Nethermoor Park earlier today.

Leeds once again used two different starting XIs for each half, with Pontus Jansson making his preseason debut for the club. Paudie O’Connor, despite having a good game against Harrogate Town, was dropped in the starting XI to make way for the big Swede.

Stuart Dallas set the tone for the match for Leeds, scoring a screamer after only 22 seconds to put Leeds up 1-0 early in the match. Leeds continued to dominate the match through most of the first half, and good attacking play was rewarded in the 27th minute as Dallas added to his total by scoring a second goal. Luke Ayling had gone on the attack and put the ball into the box, where it eventually fell to Dallas who was able to send another shot into the top corner.

In addition to their regular squad, Guiseley used the occasion to field a few trialists, and it was one of them that broke through for the home team, scoring a goal in the in 28th minute. Ayling was not able to stop the player from getting the shot off, but it is harsh to blame it all on him as he was left pretty exposed by his fellow defenders. So was it Guiseppe Bellusci’s fault? Let’s just say it was.

Leeds put another one past the Guiseley keeper only a few minutes later to kill off any hope for the hope side had for a shock result. Antonsson latched onto a good pass from Pablo Hernandez and putting the ball in the net after Hernandez had done a good job of getting into the box.

The second half started well for Leeds, and they continued to dominate possession for most of the match. Madger Gomes came close to scoring his second goal for the club in only his second preseason match for Leeds, barely missing the net in the 46th minute.

The team’s good work on the attack was rewarded in the 58th minute, as Lee Erwin got his first goal of the match after converting a Hadi Sacko low cross into the box. Erwin was able to double his tally in the 89th minute after pouncing on a loose ball after Souleymane Doukara had a shot saved.

While preseason games mean literally nothing, it is still good to see the team go out and dominate a team they should easily get past, given the gap in league positions for the two teams. Stuart Dallas was the TIAT Man of the Match today for his two early goals that put the game out of reach for, setting an early tone with a goal after only 22 seconds.

Thomas Christiansen seemed pleased with the match today, and looks to get the team ready for the trip to Austria. Hopefully the matches there will be just as successful for Leeds. MOT