LEEDS UNITED RES 3
NEWCASTLE UNITED RES 2
totesport.com Reserve League
KitKit Crescent, York
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Kick-off 7pm

FULL-TIME SUMMARY

NEWCASTLE United Reserves came agonisingly close to pulling off the most unlikely second-half comeback but a spirited display was to end in defeat as Leeds United clung on to claim victory at York City's KitKat Crescent.

Trailing by three goals entering the final 25 minutes, Alan Thompson's young second-string struck twice in just three minutes through Ryan Donaldson and Nile Ranger to set up a grandstand finale.

However, despite prolonged spells of pressure, The Magpies were thwarted in their quest for parity by some desperate home defending.

It had taken just five minutes for Leeds to find a breakthrough as Enoch Showunmi capitalised upon Stephen Folan's undercooked backpass before lifting past Jak Alnwick.

Ranger then had a chance to level from the penalty spot 10 minutes before the break but keeper Ryan Jones guessed right and leapt to palm clear the striker's low effort.

And the visitors were to pay the price for that miss one minute before the break; South African forward Davide Somma racing onto Showunmi's flick before coolly dropping a clever shot beyond Alnwick to double the home side's advantage.

Two became three shortly after the interval as James Baxendale fired home from inside the area and the game appeared out of sight for Newcastle.

But the introduction of Kazenga LuaLua injected some attacking energy and, on 67 minutes, skipper Donaldson swept a half volley into the bottom corner from Samuel Adjei's centre to give United hope.

That hope soon turned to expectancy when, just 90 seconds later, Ranger showed great determination to get on the end of Stephen Folan's goalmouth delivery to bring his side to within one.

The black and whites pressed and Ben Tozer, Donaldson and LuaLua all had chances to snatch what would have been a deserved equaliser in the closing stages.

And, despite the defeat, coach Thompson was left to reflect on an encouraging fightback.

"On another night we draw and maybe even win," he said.

"But I can't fault the lads for their effort during that second half; their attitude was terrific and they deserved more."

LUFC: Ryan Jones, Liam Darville, Lewis Turner, David Prutton, Callum Williams, Alan Sheehan, James Baxendale, Will Hatfield (Sanchez Payne 62), Enoch Showunmi, Davide Somma, Andy Robinson
Subs n/u: Mike Whitwell, Alex Cairns, Sam Jones, Joe McCann

NUFC: Jak Alnwick, Dan Leadbitter (Conor Newton 70), Ben Tozer, Matthew Grieve, Stephen Folan, Samuel Adjei, Patrick McLaughlin, Brad Inman (Kazenga LuaLua 52), Frank Danquah, Nile Ranger, Ryan Donaldson
Subs n/u: Ben Robinson, James Taylor, Liam Henderson

SECOND-HALF UPDATES (click refresh for latest)

Sadly, though, it isn't to be and Leeds hold on to claim a narrow victory.

90+1min - The Magpies have a corner. But it fails to lead to goal as a white head clears.

88min - Still United press looking for that elusive leveller.

84min - LuaLua stings the palms of Jones from 25 yards - it's a good effort but unfortunately the Leeds stopper is equal to it.

82min - Showunmi cuts in from the left and rattles Jak Alnwick's crossbar with a vicious strike from the edge of the area. Leeds are soon back on the attack and the same man shaves the foot of the post with another well-struck effort from 12 yards.

79min - There's certainly a "give it to LuaLua" notion among the Magpies with the substitute continuously driving his side forward in their quest for an equaliser - the Leeds backline look terrified of him!

76min - The Magpies are being roared on by a quite a vociferous Geordie following - surely that leveller is coming!

75min - United are laying siege to the home goal and Frank Danquah comes within a whisker of drawing the sides level as his rising drive narrowly evades Jones' target - this is some game!

69min - NEWCASTLE GOAL (3-2): That comeback is definitely on now! Kazenga LuaLua threads a ball in behind full-back Liam Darville and Stephen Folan gives chase. The Irishman releases a first-cross and Nile Ranger, haring into the six-yard area, springs to volley into the back of net - great team goal!

67min - NEWCASTLE GOAL (3-1): Nile Ranger slips a pass wide to Samuel Adjei who drives towards the by-line. The Swede works room for a cross and pulls a low ball into the penalty area which is met on the half volley by skipper Ryan Donaldson who does extremely well to steer home from eight yards out - is that the goal which sparks the comeback?

60min - Kazenga LuaLua is now on, but this will be a tall order for the Congolese trickster to help reverse a three-goal deficit.

57min - Leeds should be four ahead but Alnwick's reflex save denies Showunmi after the unmarked forward had headed Robinson's corner on goal from just six yards out.

51min - LEEDS GOAL (3-0): Showunmi and Tozer contest a high punt forward with the ball dropping to Andy Robinson midway inside The Magpie half. The former Swansea wideman has the presence of mind to dispatch a first-time cushion to the unmarked James Baxendale in the inside right channel and the winger is in on goal. Baxendale carries forward before driving into the back of the net via the unfortunate palms of Alnwick to extend the hosts' advantage.

49min - Dan Leadbitter does well to dig out a cross from the right and, despite showing great determination to get on the end of the looping centre, Nile Ranger can only nod onto the roof of Jones' frame - it was a difficult chance.

Both sides remain the same as the second half gets underway -  can the Geordies find a response and get back into this?

FIRST-HALF UPDATES

It's half-time with United trailing by two goals to nil.

44min - LEEDS GOAL (2-0): But that same comination comes up trumps just moments later as, from the giant Showunmi's flick, Somma steals a yard on the shoulder of Ben Tozer before coolly dropping a clever shot beyond Alnwick to double the home side's lead.

41min - Showunmi's headed knockdown presents Somma, the South African striker, with a one-on-one situation with Jak Alnwick. The young stopper races to block and succeeds in his efforts to distract the former San Jose frontman who lobs over the bar from eight yards out before being clattered by Alnwick.

35min - NEWCASTLE MISS PEN: A swift Magpie breakaway culminates in Ryan Donaldson toppling between a sandwich of Liam Darville and Andy Robinson in the area with the referee pointing to the spot. The hosts protest but it looks a fair decision. Nile Ranger steps up but sees his low effort kept out by Ryan Jones who springs to his right to palm clear. Ranger steams in on the loose ball, but, after spinning to work a yard for the shot off recovering defender Williams, lashes over the crossbar from the angle of the six-yard area and Leeds survive.

28min - Brad Inamn's wedged throughball is dummied by Samuel Adjei with the Swede fully aware of the better placed Nile Ranger inside the penalty area. The linesman's flag stays down allowing Ranger to unleash a stinging shot which zips just inches the wrong side of Jones' far upright - that was a chance.

25min - Andy Robinson's floated free-kick is only half cleared by the head of Matthew Grieve. The ball rolls into the path of the oncoming Liam Darville but the defender, from 20 yards out, drills wide.

21min - Newcastle win successive corners but keeper Ryan Jones, after flapping behind Danquah's first delivery, comfortably gathers the second.

17min - After a nervy start United have settled down and are beginning to find their rythmn. Still, though, they are yet to create a clear-cut opening.

9min - Danquah tries to get the visitors back on level terms but drags his 20-yard effort well wide.

5min - LEEDS GOAL (1-0): Irish full-back Stephen Folan undercooks his attempted backpass allowing 6ft 6ins forward Enoch Showunmi to nick in and lift past a helpless Jak Alnwick to strike an early blow for the hosts.

3min - The livewire Scouser Robinson is first to have a go as he manufactures room for a shot 25 yards out before slamming a dipping effort narrowly above Jak Alnwick's crossbar with the Toon keeper airborne.

Leeds get the game started with The Magpies kitted out in their yellow change outfit.

Craig Hope reports from KitKat Crescent ...

We're in position here at the home of York City for tonight's reserve-team game with Leeds United.

Alan Thompson is leading the lads through their warm-up routine on what is, thankfully, a not-too-chilly evening in North Yorkshire.

Nile Ranger will start in attack for The Magpies and will be joined by Ryan Donaldson after the Geordie youngster impressed coach Thompson in a more advanced role during last week's friendly with Middlesbrough.

Leeds include experienced midfielder duo Andy Robinson, formerly of Swansea City, and David Prutton, the ex-Nottm Forest and Southampton schemer.

So make sure to stay logged on for updates from KitKat Crescent with the action getting underway at 7pm.

TEAMS

LUFC: Ryan Jones, Liam Darville, Lewis Turner, David Prutton, Callum Williams, Alan Sheehan, James Baxendale, Will Hatfield (Sanchez Payne 62), Enoch Showunmi, Davide Somma, Andy Robinson
Subs: Mike Whitwell, Alex Cairns, Sam Jones, Joe McCann

NUFC: Jak Alnwick, Dan Leadbitter (Conor Newton 70), Ben Tozer, Matthew Grieve, Stephen Folan, Samuel Adjei, Patrick McLaughlin, Brad Inman (Kazenga LuaLua 52), Frank Danquah, Nile Ranger, Ryan Donaldson
Subs: Ben Robinson, James Taylor, Liam Henderson