Wrexham 3 Leeds United 2: Mistakes prove costly despite midfielder shining and immediate Harry Wilson impact — YEP 26/7/26
By Lee Sobot
Harry Wilson impressed on his Leeds United debut but in the
face of defeat as Daniel Farke’s Whites began their pre-season friendlies with
a 3-2 reverse against Wrexham at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
Wilson was named on the bench as Farke went with a mixture
of experience and youth but Leeds got off to an awful start as Wrexham went
ahead with just 31 seconds on the clock through Kieffer Moore.
George Thomason ran from his own half to the edge of
United's box before slipping in Moore to the left of Joe Rodon and Moore fired
a low shot back across Alex Cairns into the far right corner of the net.
Leeds were then presented with a golden opportunity to
equalise as Dan James was taken down in the box by Wrexham keeper Arthur
Okonkwo for a penalty but Joel Piroe missed the spot kick as his effort bounced
back off the post.
The frame of the goal then saved Leeds at the other end as a
fantastic free-kick from Nathan Broadhead smashed back off the crossbar with
Cairns beaten, Moore unable to head home the rebound.
But Leeds improved after the first-half hydration break and
a lovely pass from James led to the Whites equalising on the half hour mark
through Piroe who flicked home a low cross from Longstaff who had been slipped
in down the right of the box by James.
More good work from Longstaff and youngster Callum Mills
then set up an excellent chance for Wily Gnonto to fire Leeds ahead, a clever
pass from Mills finding Longstaff who played in Gnonto whose rising shot from
close range was beaten away by Okonkwo.
Instead, Wrexham went back ahead in the 41st minute through
Leeds-born Bailey Cadamarteri who found himself in on goal after Rodon failed
to win a tackle on halfway, Cadamarteri advancing on Cairns and clipping a neat
finish past him that went in off the post.
Leeds, though, drew level for a second time in the 45th
minute through the excellent Longstaff who seized possession in a crowded box
and took time to set himself before firing a lovely finish into the top right
corner.
Farke made a host of changes at the break including handing
a debut to summer signing Wilson who immediately caused a threat.
Within two minutes of being on the pitch, Wilson's lovely
dinked pass over the defence had Gnonto in on goal but the Italian was again
denied by another save.
Fellow half time substitute Anton Stach was also quickly
involved, Leeds now on top with Wrexham largely playing on the counter.
With 15 minutes left, Farke brought on two more youngsters
as Rhys Chadwick and Ollie Pickles replaced the lively but wasteful Gnonto and
the pacy James.
The contest appeared to be petering out towards a 2-2 draw
but more poor defending cost Leeds in the 86th minute, Ao Tanaka losing the
ball on halfway and Sam Smith able to charge into the box and evade Rodon and
Jayden Bogle before firing past second half keeper Lucas Perri.
Even then Wilson nearly saved the day, the summer signing
sending a neat chipped effort towards goal in the 93rd minute from just inside
the area but the ball floating inches over the top.
Leeds United vs Wrexham: Cairns, Lienou, Justin, Rodon,
Cresswell, Ampadu, Longstaff, Gnonto, James, Mills, Piroe. Subs: Perri, Mahady,
Ombang, Bogle, Lane, Crew, Stach, Tanaka, Chadwick, Pickles, Wilson, Nmecha.
