Leeds United youngsters spark internal inquest after five-goal display to extend unbeaten run - YEP 29/8/22
Leeds United’s Under-21 side defeated Nottingham Forest’s development squad 5-1 on Monday afternoon
By Joe Donnohue
Goals from Charlie Allen, Darko Gyabi, Sonny Perkins, Alfie
McCalmont and Max Dean capped a five-star display from Michael Skubala’s young
Leeds side on Monday as the Whites continued their unbeaten run in Premier
League 2 this season.
Despite going behind during the first half, Leeds battled
well to break down Nottingham Forest’s deep defensive line and went in level at
the break following a deserved Charlie Allen strike.
Leeds returned for the second forty-five with the bit
between their teeth, determined not to be thwarted as they had been in the
first half.
Spurred on by Skubala and his coaching staff who encouraged
and applauded the high press, Leeds forced opportunities, leaving Forest
players to bemoan a porous 25 minutes.
Gyabi’s 30-yard effort at goal squirmed in under goalkeeper
Ryan Hammond to give Leeds the advantage, and the Whites could smell blood.
Sonny Perkins’ fifth goal in four matches – going level with
top scorer Mateo Joseph – came as a direct result of Leeds’ suffocating press,
turning the ball over high up the pitch, before Perkins assured, left-footed
strike nestled in the far corner.
Northern Ireland Under-21 international Alfie McCalmont then
scored from a similar angle but with his right, opening his body excellently to
curl one into the opposite side of the net.
While speculation surrounds McCalmont’s immediate future,
coach Skubala commended the local boy’s maturity, standing in for Keenan Carole
in an unfamiliar position at short notice after the youngster had taken ill.
Max Dean’s return to the pitch after a summer blighted by injury
received warm applause from the 100 or so spectators using their Bank Holiday
weekend to witness the next generation of Leeds United players.
His signature bravery was rewarded late on as Forest ‘keeper
Hammond hesitated when claiming a looping Harvey Sutcliffe cross, allowing Dean
to utilise his striking instincts and stab into the unguarded net.
Forest players were audible in airing their frustration as
arguments ensued between selected members of their squad.
