Leeds Recap and Ratings: Leeds u23 2 - 0 Barnsley u23: Leeds youngsters bounce back with win

Leeds United’s u23 side put their shocking 7-1 defeat against Derby County behind them to claim a comfortable 2-0 win over Barnsley FC at Thorp Arch.

Goals from Ryan Edmondson and Jordan Stevens were enough for Leeds to get all three points, but after Wednesday it is the clean sheet that is the most pleasing thing to see.

Leeds started well showing no signs of their horrendous display against Derby County on Wednesday, taking only four minutes to go in front. Some good passing between Pascal Struijk and Barry Douglas released Liam McCarron down the left hand side, and his cross was perfect for England u19 international Ryan Edmondson who volleyed home with his right foot.

Barnsley were nearly level after 12 minutes. Kamil Miazek played a poor pass out of his box and gave away possession to Elliot Simoes. Barnsley worked the ball out to Dylan Mottley-Henry on the edge of the box but Miazek made up for his error with a good save.

Miazek had another poor kick five minutes later, it went straight up in the air and put Leeds under pressure in their own penalty area but eventually Leeds managed to scramble it clear.

Leeds went close to extending their lead in the 30th minute. A good counter attack left Leeds with a chance to attack five against four. Pablo Hernandez found McCarron who played a one-two with Barry Douglas and then hit a shot but it was straight at the keeper Harrison Davison-Hale.

Davison-Hale made a better save two minutes later. It was a good Ryan Edmondson knock down to Jordan Stevens and his shot forced a good save diving to his left. Stevens then got in behind and around the goalkeeper but was forced out to the left wing, he crossed looking for Bryce Hosannah at the back post but Barnsley cleared it well.

Leeds then had another chance, again it was Stevens. A fantastic cross-field pass from Hernandez found McCarron on the left, he got in down the left and put in a cross thatwas headed out to Stevens on the edge of the box but his left foot shot went over the bar.

Leeds made a triple change at half time. Hernandez, Douglas and Hosannah were replaced by Gaetano Berardi, Robbie Gotts, and Niall Huggins.

Jordan Stevens was the busiest player in the first half, and he doubled Leeds’ lead in the 53rd minute. Charlie Cresswell headed the ball forward and in behind the Barnsley defence. Ryan Edmondson was stood offside and Barnsley’s defenders seemed to switch off as Stevens ran from deep to latch on to the ball and slide home a composed finish.

Leeds had another chance soon after. Robbie Gotts with a good turn and run through midfield, he played Ryan Edmondson in down the right channel but his shot was deflected wide.

Barnsley went close from a corner in the 68th minute, Sam Fielding’s back post header going just over. Then 30 seconds later Simoes had an effort from the edge of the box following a poor pass from Gotts, but his shot was weak and straight at Miazek.

In the 74th minute, a corner from Gotts found Pascal Struijk unmarked in the area. His header was powerful and towards the bottom-left corner but it was cleared off the line by Keziah Martin.

Barnsley went down the other end with former Leeds man Clarke Oduor doing well down the left, his cross found Harry Gagen at the back post but his header went wide. Then, another former Leeds player Alex Wollerton tried to catch Miazek off his line from 40 yards but Miazek was able to make a simple catch.

Barnsley got a free-kick on the edge of the Leeds box in the 79th minute, the fould was given against Struijk although he clearly won the ball. Barnett’s free-kick beat the ball but was tipped over well by former Poland youth international Miazek.

Stevens went close again in the 86th minute. Ryan Edmondson played the ball into Stevens in the middle, he hit a left-footed shout from about 22 yards which crashed against the right post. It was a really good shot and probably deserved better.

Stevens had another effort from similar distance after good work from Gotts and Jack Jenkins a minute later but this time his shot was straight at the keeper.

Gagen went very close again for Barnsley from the edge of the box with a shot just wide of the left post, the referee gave a corner so I will say it was a good save from Miazek but in truth the keeper did not touch it.

Not a faultless performance but a solid win and a clean sheet to bounce back from the heavy midweek loss in the PL Cup.

---

Time now to look at each player and how they performed. As always you can tell me how wrong I am @mightywhitespod or @ThruItAllLUFC on twitter.

STARTING LINE-UP (3-3-1-3)

Kamil Miazek - A couple of poor kicks in the opening 20 minutes which put Leeds under pressure, made one good save but that came from his own error. Better in the second half, made a few decent saves and cut out the errors. 7/10

Charlie Cresswell - Looked comfortable on the right of a back three and was in good positions to intercept often. Gets the assist for Leeds’ second goal as his header was latched on to by Stevens. Really good performance. 7.5/10

Olly Casey - Really solid first half at the centre of a back three. Moved in the holding midfield role after the HT changes and looked comfortable in the role. 7/10

Pascal Struijk - Defended well first half and played some really good passes during it. In the second half, more of the same, physically dominant over Barnsley’s attacking players. 7/10

Bryce Hosannah - Pace was a threat down the right in the first half, solid performance. 6/10

Jack Jenkins - Much better than his previous display first half. Moved around well to give passing options and showed a good turn of pace to bring Leeds out from the back during the first half. Moved to right-wing-back for the second half and had a good game over there as well. 7/10

Barry Douglas - Solid down the left and linked up well with McCarron in front of him. 6/10

Jordan Stevens - Probably the busiest player in the first half. Seemed to enjoy being in central areas and had a few efforts on goal, forced one good save from Davison-Hale in the first half. Started the second half by doubling Leeds’ lead, showed excellent pace and awareness to catch the Barnsley defence sleeping and then good composure to finish well. Kept getting involved a forced more saves and hit the post. 8.5/10

Pablo Hernandez - Hit some great cross-field balls. Not his best half of football but this was more about getting some minutes than anything else. 6/10

Liam McCarron - Good cross from the left to set up Ryan Edmondson’s opener. Looked a threat consistently during the match. Really stood out as threat and always wanted the ball. 8/10

Ryan Edmondson - Good first-time finish to put Leeds in front. Didn’t get great service following the goal. Quiet for long periods but did well when he could get on the ball. His off the ball work is probably why Marcelo Bielsa has so far been unwilling to put Edmondson in the first team squad. 7/10

SUBSTITUTES

Robbie Gotts (for Douglas, HT) - Looked very lively, beat his man on a couple of occasions early to find space for a pass or shot. 6.5/10

Niall Huggins (for Hernandez, HT) - Another with a lively start. Some dangerous moments, needs good performances as we have a lot of good young wingers at the moment. 6.5/10

Gaetano Berardi (for Hosannah, HT) - Used his experience well on a couple of occasions when Leeds overplayed at the back and were under pressure. 7/10