Under-23s Professional Development League
Cardiff City 1 (Tomlin 43)
Leeds United 2 (Clarke 49, pen 78)
Leeds: Miazek, Gotts, Davis, Diaz, Halme (Kamwa 56), Casey, Nicell, Stevens (Odunston 80), Edmondson, Dalby Clarke (Wollerton 90+1). Subs not used: Male, Cresswell, Kamwa, Wollerton, Odunston.
Leeds United FC
Two second half goals from Jack Clarke saw a young Leeds United’s Under-23s come from behind at Cardiff City to win the match and had a goal disallowed.
Leeds ha a good chance to score inside 12 minutes, Clarke did really well to break up the pitch before teeing up Ryan Edmondson on the edge of the box and he fired just over.
The Whites should have taken the lead six minutes later, Cardiff goalkeeper Matthew Hall fired a goal-kick straight to the feet of Edmondson and Clarke went through on goal, but he put his shot wide.
Ibrahim Meite had Cardiff’s first sight on goal when he spun on the edge of the Leeds box, before striking and forcing Kamil Miazek into action.
Clarke then had another opportunity to break the deadlock for Leeds, he did brilliantly to weave his way into the Cardiff box into a great position, but he scuffed his shot which rolled safely into the arms of Hall.
Cardiff then lost possession in their own half giving Leeds another chance, Clarke unselfishly played in Ryan Edmondson, but his effort deflected just wide off Bluebirds defender Ciaron Brown on the line.
At the other end, Cardiff went close from a corner, the ball fell to Brown in the box and his attempt deflected just wide.
Two minutes from half time Cardiff took the lead. Experienced striker Lee Tomlin won the Bluebirds a free-kick on the edge of the box and he struck it sweetly into the left corner giving Miazek no chance.
Half time: Cardiff City 1-0 Leeds United
Leeds equalised inside four minutes of the second half. Leif Davis won the Whites a free-kick in a similar position to where Cardiff scored from in the first half and just like Tomlin, Clarke superbly found the left corner.
The Whites then nearly went in front Sam Dalby poked the ball across the face of goal, but Callum Nicell saw his shot well blocked.
The Bluebirds then went close from another set-piece, Tomlin again tried his luck with a free-kick, but this time fired just off target.
Tomlin then played Jack McKay through on goal, but he couldn’t get the better of Kamil Miazek who made a fine stop. The ball then came out to Paul McKay on the edge of the Leeds box, but his effort deflected wide.
From the resulting corner, the home side thought they had restored their lead when Matthew Connolly converted from close range, but his effort was ruled out by a late offside flag.
Tomlin then showed a great piece of skill before teeing up Paul McKay in the Leeds box, but he couldn’t beat Miazek in the Leeds net.
At the other end, Leeds went close from a set-piece, Robbie Gotts floated a ball into the box and Dalby fired a volley just wide of the mark.
Leeds then had a goal of their own disallowed, also from a corner, Edmondson headed home Davis’ delivery, but the referee ruled out the goal for a push.
With 13 minutes of normal time remaining Leeds were awarded a penalty. Gotts knocked a free-kick into the Cardiff box and Hugo Diaz was felled by Paul McKay. Clarke stepped up for the spot kick and sent Hall the wrong way to give Leeds the lead for the first time.
Edmondson and Dalby both came close to adding a third for Leeds, but two last ditch challenges prevented them from getting a strike away when through on goal.
In the dying minutes, Leeds had Miazek to thank for securing all three points. Tomlin struck two great free-kicks at goal, but they were both denied by even better saves as United’s unbeaten run continued.
Full time: Cardiff City 1-2 Leeds United
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