Recap and Ratings: Stoke u23s 4 - 0 Leeds u23s

Leeds United suffered a heavy defeat in their first Premier League 2 match. Stoke City ran out 4-0 winners with striker Gabriel Kyeremateng scoring all four goals for the Potters.

Leeds lined up with three centre-backs, but no “actual” centre-backs in the team, and it soon showed. Leeds went 1-0 down after just 40 seconds, a corner was whipped in, Leeds failed to clear and it was flicked home by Kyeremateng.

Leeds got on top straight after the goal. Sam Greenwood tested the goalkeeper from the edge of the box and Joe Gelhardt pulled a shot wide from a similar distance.

Leeds then got caught. Stuart McKinstry gave the ball away badly in midfield allowing Stoke to break with Leeds not set. In chasing back Bryce Hosannah slid in and gave away a penalty. Kyeremateng converted for his and Stoke’s second of the game.

Leeds had a chance to pull one back after Joe Gelhardt won a penalty with some excellent skill. Gelhardt took the penalty himself but it was saved by the excellently named Blondy Nna Noukeu.

Stoke made it 3-0 on the hour mark with Kyeremateng getting his hat-trick. He went through from a long through ball and, although Elia Caprile was able to make a good save, he tucked home the rebound.

Kyemerateng added his fourth after Jack Jenkins mistimed a header up the pitch and instead headed it backwards putting the striker clean through on goal before he finished well.

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

Elia Caprile - Nothing to do in the first half despite conceding twice. Made a good one-on-one save before Stoke’s third goal but could do nothing about the rebound. 6/10

Cody Drameh - Very comfortable on the ball but as with all the makeshift centre-backs he didn’t look totally comfortable. 5.5/10

Jack Jenkins - Playing in the middle of back three. Missed his interception for Stoke’s third and will feel he should have got it. Poor header to put Kyeremateng through on goal for the fourth. 5/10

Bryce Hosannah - Poor sliding challenge to give away the penalty, but Leeds had been played into trouble before it. 5/10

Jordan Stevens - Good energy down the right but couldn’t find the end product. 6/10

Alfie McCalmont - Tidy in possession throughout but without some of his more creative passes. 5.5/10

Niall Huggins - Some really good breaks. Looked good when running at people. 6/10

Robbie Gotts - Went close late on but was denied by the very good Blondy Nna Noukeu. Was ok but not at his best. 5.5/10

Joe Gelhardt - Liked to beat his man. Showed brilliant skill to beat two men and win a penalty - took it himself but it was saved. Stood out massively in the first half. Had Leeds’ two best efforts of the second half too. Very promising. 7.5/10

Stuart McKinstry - Really poor pass leading to Stoke’s penalty. Put his head in his hands, clearly knew it. Not involved enough in attacking areas. 5/10

Sam Greenwood - Had two efforts early on, one forcing a good save. Worked hard throughout. Dragged his one good chance wide. Set up a really good chance for Gotts late on. Showed a lot of willingness to chase back. 6/10

SUBSTITUTES

Josh Galloway (for McKinstry, 71mins) - Nothing of note. N/A