Match Recap: Norwich City u23s 0-2 Leeds United u23s

The Leeds United under-23s came away from Norwich City’s training ground with all three points in the bag as they remain 10 points clear atop of the Premier League 2 Division 2 table.

The Whites lined-up with a younger starting 11 as several regulars were called-up to the first-team game later on. This resulted in Liam McCarron moving to left-back with Max Dean and Charlie Allen stepping-up from the under-18s while Bobby Kamwa also returned to the side.

It was a rough and tumble start to the game for Leeds, with chances few and far between. But rough and tumble ended up giving The Whites a penalty on 33 minutes when Crysencio Summerville dribbled through five players and got to the by-line where he was brought down by the Norwich left-back.

Bobby Kamwa took the resulting spot-kick, but he put it wide of the bottom-left corner having beaten the goalkeeper.

Another chance arrived on 40 minutes as Charlie Allen laid the ball off for Liam McCarron who drove through the heart of Norwich’s midfield before slipping the ball toward Max Dean who tried to turn his man before throwing himself into a sliding finish, but a heroic block kept the keeper out of business.

From the resulting corner, Leeds had to work the ball back into danger as the corner ended up at the feet of Summerville on the edge of the box. Cresswell did brilliantly to work his way through the swarm of yellow jerseys and keep things going. The ball came back in and Cresswell was on the end of it, hitting a decent strike which forced a good save.

Leeds hit the back of the net on the stroke of half-time as a magical pass from Stuart McKinstry took the Norwich defence out of the game, as he lofted the ball over the top for Max Dean. The youngster spun on the spot and fired the ball past the keeper, but the linesman ruled his position as offside.

Norwich came incredibly close early in the second-half as a free-kick from the right found Dennis at the back post. He side-footed the ball across the keeper and it drifted just wide of the post with Elia Caprile at full stretch.

However, Max Dean managed to get his goal on 52 minutes as Leeds persisted in building from the back despite the difficulties faced in the first half. Cody Drameh found Summerville on the right before overlapping for the return pass at the by-line. He cut the ball back toward Max Dean at the near post who couldn’t miss and gave Leeds the lead.

Norwich City then went down to ten men as James McAlear received a second yellow card for a late challenge on Charlie Allen who latched on to a poor pass and almost put Max Dean through on goal.

But The Canaries would not allow the game to be dropped despite their position. Matt Dennis was on the end of an excellent low cross from the left, hitting the inside of the post with a first-time strike. The ball trickled along the line with Charlie Cresswell the first to arrive and clear the ball off-the-line ahead of the Norwich attacker.

Nohan Kenneh was then sent-off after receiving his second yellow card on 67 minutes. The Norwich right-back was dribbling across the midfield from right to left under the pressure of Bobby Kamwa before Kenneh slid in and didn’t manage to get the ball rather than the man, and the referee gave the youngster his marching orders.

Yet another red card was shown on 74 minutes as Shitti in central-midfield was booked for a second time following a challenge on Crysencio Summerville as he barged into the Dutchman’s side.

Olly Casey was just inches away from doubling Leeds’ lead with ten minutes left of normal time. The ball came to Liam McCarron on the edge of the box from a free-kick before the Scotsman tried to whip the ball toward the far-left corner. It hit Olly Casey inside the penalty area who turned well and hit the ball on the volley, flying just over the crossbar.

Leeds United were awarded yet another penalty in the 96th minute as Stuart McKinstry was brought down in the box while slipping Crysencio Summerville through on goal. Summerville took the penalty and sent the keeper the wrong way, firing the ball into the left corner as he continues his excellent run of form.

Another excellent victory for thee young Whites who retain their place at the top of The Premier League 2 Division 2 table, leading the way by 10 points with seven games to go.