Joe Gelhardt voices personal regret after latest outing and sends message to fans - YEP 22/7/22

Young Leeds United star Joe Gelhardt was pleased to get more minutes in the tank against Crystal Palace - but with one regret as the Whites looked to double their lead.

By Lee Sobot

Twenty-year-old forward Gelhardt replaced Whites no 9 Patrick Bamford during the interval of Friday's pre-season friendly against the Eagles in Perth which was goalless at the break.

Jesse Marsch's side then went ahead 11 minutes after the restart as Rodrigo tucked home a penalty awarded for a foul on Crysencio Summerville and Leeds then pushed on in search of a second.

After a brilliant through ball from Sam Greenwood, Gelhardt was left one-on-one with Eagles keeper Vicente Guaita and attempted to chip the Spaniard to double the Whites lead.

Guaita, though, scrambled back tip Gelhardt's clever attempt just wide although the striker known as Joffy insists he should have laid on a pass for Crysencio Summerville who was running through to his right.

Palace equalised shortly afterwards as Jean Philippe-Mateta was left with a tap-in from a rapid Eagles counter but Gelhardt was only denied a winner afterwards via another fine save from Guaita to send his vicious shot from the edge of the box just wide

Gelhardt, though, was harsh on himself for his first chance, declaring: "It was my bad.

"I should have squared it to Cree when I was through on goal and I think the other shot, I think it was a good save from the keeper.

"I should have squared the other one to Cree!

"I'm glad to get more minutes with the first team and it was amazing to see all the fans that came out to support us.

"It just shows how incredible the support is and we appreciate them for that."