U23 REPORT: BARNSLEY 1-4 LEEDS UNITED
Professional Development League
Barnsley 1 (Chisholm
Leeds United 4 (Edmondson 41, 69, 78, Dalby 49)
Leeds: Huffer, Ayling, Davis, Nicell, Struijk (Oduor 17), Diaz (Halme 72), Stevens, Gotts, Edmondson (Huggins 79), McCalmont, Dalby. Subs: Turner, Amissah,
Venue: Oakwell Training Complex
Ryan Edmondson netted a hat-trick as Leeds United came from behind to beat Barnsley at Oakwell Training Complex.
Barnsley took the lead with the first opportunity of the match inside eight minutes, Gerry McDonagh crossed low from the right, Tai-Reece Chisholm then controlled, before firing beyond Will huffer and into the back of the net.
The home side almost doubled that lead seven minutes later from a free-kick, Jordan Barnett striking just inches wide for the Reds.
At the following goal kick, Leeds had a mix up at the back, which led to a Barnsley corner and Barnett hit the crossbar directly from the set-piece.
Clarke Oduor was introduced after just 17 minutes with Leeds under pressure, but four minutes later, Leeds conceded a penalty. Another mix up in defence led to Amir Berkovits getting the ball in the Whites box and he was tripped by Callum Nicell. However Leeds were let off when Chisholm blasted the spot kick over the bar.
McDonagh struck on goal from the edge of the Leeds box forcing Huffer into action, whilst Leeds had a first sighting on goal, but Alfie McCalmont scuffed his effort, which Henry Kendrick saved.
In the 28th minute, substitute Oduor teed up McCalmont in the Barnsley penalty area and only a super stop from Kendrick kept the scores level.
A Barnsley counter attack led to another opportunity for the hosts, Chisholm teed up Louis Walsh to strike on the edge of the Leeds box, but his attempt was too high.
Six minutes before the break Leeds had a fine chance to level, Jordan Stevens provided a delightful cross and Ryan Edmondson had a free header, but he put the chance wide.
Two minutes later though, Leeds did level. Robbie Gotts delivered a corner and Edmondson made amends for his missed chance moments earlier, by heading home.
Leeds could have gone ahead before the break when McCalmont was played in on goal by Stevens, but he was denied by another fine stop from Kendrick and the Barnsley stopper also kept the scores level by denying Stevens from a narrow angle shortly after.
Half time: Barnsley 1-1 Leeds United
Leeds take the early into the second half, the Whites drove up the pitch, Sam Dalby sent Oduor to the byline, Edmondson saw a strike blocked and the rebound fell back to Dalby who made no mistake from close range.
The Whites had another chance following a corner when McCalmont found Dalby, looking for a second goal in the Barnsley box, but he saw his effort blocked.
The impressive Oduor then did well down the left, getting to the byline once more and putting a dangerous low ball into the box, which nearly resulted in an own goal.
Leeds added a third goal in the 69th minute, Gotts played the ball into the box from the right, Stevens showed some fantastic control and skill before laying the ball off to Edmondson who slotted home with cool.
Edmondson now on a hat-trick, looked determined to grab a third, he turned well on the edge of the box, before firing just over.
Oduor causing problems for the Barnsley defence won a free-kick on the left flank. From the set-piece Gotts laid the ball off to Oduor who floated a fine ball into the box and Edmondson headed home his third of the afternoon.
Luke Ayling almost added a fifth for Leeds, but he saw an effort cleared off the line from a corner in the closing stages, as the Whites saw out what proved to be a comfortable victory after a difficult start.
Full Time: Barnsley 1-4 Leeds United
