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Best on Target as U23s Beat Leeds 4-0
Monday, 19th Sep 2016 20:56

Leon Best netted his third goal in three U23s games as Gerard Nash’s side thrashed Leeds 4-0 at Portman Road. Best added the second after the break, sub Ben Morris - who had replaced the injured Luke Varney - having put the Blues in front in the first half, Josh Emmanuel scored a third soon after Best’s goal before Morris netted his second of the game to complete the scoring.

Strike pair Best and Varney and keeper Dean Gerken all started with Andre Dozzell also in an XI which lined-up in the same 4-4-1-1 system employed by the first team on Saturday.

The visitors, backed by a small but noisy travelling army, started the stronger and in the fifth minute Jack Vann was prevented from getting in a clear header from a corner by Paul Digby, again lining up in the centre of midfield.

On nine Mallik Wilks should have put the Whites in front but blazed over after Jack McKay had knocked down Tom Pearce’s left-wing cross.

The Blues began to get into the game and on 20 Andre Dozzell almost found Best with a clever through ball but a defender’s toe intervened. A minute later James Blanchfield was booked for a late tackle on Billy Whitehouse.

In the 25th minute Varney was replaced by Morris having picked up an injury. No problem was obviously evident, although the one-time Leeds frontman, who went straight down the tunnel, had stretched for an overhit cross from the right moments earlier.

Five minutes after coming on sub Morris put the Blues in front. Best used his strength to hold off a number of Leeds players before threading in the England U18 international who confidently placed the ball past the advancing keeper and into the net for his second U23s goal of the season.


The visitors weren’t far away from getting on terms in the 34th minute when Ewan Mulhern burst through a crowd of players on the right before cutting in and hitting a shot with the outside of his right boot beyond the far post.

The scoreline remained the same at the break with the Blues perhaps fortunate to be in front having scored with their only real chance, the visitors having had the better of the opportunities.

Other than creating the goal Best had been largely a peripheral figure, while Varney had been unable to make much of an impression before being replaced.

Leeds continued to look the more dangerous side in the opening 10 minutes of the second half and Town manager Mick McCarthy made his way to the front of the directors’ box to offer some instruction to U23s coach Gerard Nash.

Blanchfield, booked early on and having been spoken to by the referee after a subsequent transgression, was replaced by Kundai Benyu on 63.

Best was coming more into the game, playing Emmanuel in on the right in the 65th minute after exchanging a one-two with Dozzell, then two minutes later he doubled Town’s lead.

The Irish international dispossessed Vann midway inside the Leeds half on the Town left and brought the ball in on goal. Whites keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell pawed down Best’s initial chip but the ball fell back to the striker, who volleyed home his third goal for the U23s.

Two minutes later it was 3-0. Emmanuel picked up a half-cleared ball on the right, made a couple of step-overs before hitting a shot which deflected past Peacock-Farrell.

While the teams lined up Best, who had been more influential in period up to the goal and will have benefited from getting 70 minutes under his belt as he works towards full fitness, was withdrawn having created one and scored one. Monty Patterson took over.

By the final 10 minutes Leeds were very much looking like a beaten side and with five minutes left on the clock Morris made it 4-0, robbing Mike Taylor on the left of the area and again very confidently beating Peacock-Farrell.

Patterson was booked for pulling back a Leeds player as the visitors broke in the closing stages and Dozzell cut in from the right before seeing his shot blocked, before the referee blew his final whistle.

Despite having taken the lead in a first half, the Blues didn’t really get on top until the period just prior to Best scoring the second goal.

Emmanuel’s third a couple of minutes later sealed the U23s’ second win of the season and Morris’s second goal of the game added some gloss.

U23s: Gerken, Emmanuel, Kenlock, Digby, Fowler, C Smith, Blanchfield (Benyu 63), Dozzell, Best (Patterson 70), Varney (Morris 25), McLoughlin. Unused: Crowe, Webber.

Leeds: Peacock-Farrell, Whitehouse, Vann, M Taylor, Pearce, Oduor, Shaughnessy, Stokes, J McKay, Mulhern, Wilks. Subs: Huffer, Shackleton, Vieira, Haidara, Wollerton.


Photo: TWTD



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Currie10 added 21:01 - Sep 19
Delighted for Best, 70 in his legs now gotta be closer to half an hour for the first side. The sooner he's fully fit the better.

Shame for Varney.

McDonnell injured?
9

TractorCam added 21:02 - Sep 19
Look much better under Nash than we did Kennedy, that was a superb performace. Hopefully 1st team can replicate it saturday
10

scottrock added 21:02 - Sep 19
Put Best in the starting line up please!!
10

Smithy added 21:12 - Sep 19
Morris certainly looks one for the future
17

Rudyard83 added 21:57 - Sep 19
Currie, yes McDonnell is injured. He posted about it on Instagram. No idea how long for though
1

MickMillsTash added 23:32 - Sep 19
Do tattoo's help you get laid?
3

BrettenhamBlue added 00:17 - Sep 20
Great result and looked like a very balanced team. Mcdonnell injured so understand the inclusion of Webber. But where on earth was Coke? Hope Varney's injury isn't a bad one. Leon Best looked a threat throughout.
7

harlingblue added 01:16 - Sep 20
Under the cosh for the first 25 minutes by a Leeds side that looked easier on the ball but toothless in attack despite creating 2 fairly good chances,our U23 team grew into the game, Varney having to be replaced by Ben Morris joining Best, strong throughout in attack. The youngster showing great composure gave us a halftime lead with a cool finish.
The second half belonged to Town, Best scoring at the second attempt, Emmanuel scoring after a mazy run and finally the impressive Morris adding his second goal with another composed finish. Fine entertainment throughout, but a second half to savour.
11

battyblue added 05:34 - Sep 20
Well done nice to see a 4-0 win a rare event at town these days and Morris is doing very well but i wonder if Mick will take any notice? sad Varney injured again lets hope nothing major and finally well done Gerard Nash for constructing a great win.
9

ThatMuhrenCross added 08:43 - Sep 20
With the goals not exactly flowing at first team level right now, it's about time Best and Morris get a look in. I'm not saying either are necessarily ready for a start just yet, but I'm sure they'd both be capable of making an impact from the bench. With Varney injured, McGoldrick injured, Sears misfiring, Pitman ageing - it's not going to hurt to freshen things up in that department.
4

RaymondovicBlue added 09:04 - Sep 20
That Muhren... I don't disagree with the idea of giving in-form reserved some game time but you can't say Pitman is ageing at 28??? Personally I'd play SEARS up top with all the other attacking midfielders joining him at will....

Does seem to be taking a long time for Mick to realise that Murphy isn't there so wet can't play one up top "the old way" ... BUT CHANGE IS HAPPENING..... pacey attacks with ball at feet will happen on the pitch... Or in my dreams.... Hopefully both!!!
6

JewellintheTown added 09:29 - Sep 20
"And tonight, it's the Leon Best show"? Morris scores twice, Best once yet Best gets mentioned 11 times and Morris only 6.
Phil, good article as usual, thanks, but surely Morris deserves a more balanced mention and coverage under the circumstances, especially being a youngster?
1

Kikapu added 09:44 - Sep 20
harlingblue. Nice bit of writing. Thanks.
1

PhilTWTD added 09:48 - Sep 20
JewellintheTown

Fair point and delighted to see Morris score twice and take his goals so confidently, but Best is the bigger story, given he's a first-teamer just come to the club. Morris is a little way off the senior side at the moment. Does seem to have that happy knack of scoring goals though.
11

Gazelle added 10:25 - Sep 20
Put Nash in charge of the 1st team
-3

BrettenhamBlue added 10:53 - Sep 20
PhilTWTD

Any idea why Coke wasn't in the team or even on the bench. He's fully fit so seems strange?
0

PhilTWTD added 11:15 - Sep 20
PJewellisaGod

No, perhaps he suffered a reaction after playing in the previous game, his first back.
4

sereneblue added 13:35 - Sep 20
Thrash and Ipswich Town in the same article. Can't be right
2

Ferguson added 14:10 - Sep 20
Morris looks a good 'un. If he's as good as Peter Morris was, and yes I know he wasn't a forward, he'll do for me.

Bench at Elland Rd would be a fantastic reward for his performance last night.

Best to start please Mr M

0-2 to the TOWN

Let's all hop Varney's injury is nothing serious and that he's back in contention soon. wish him a speedy recovery.
2

Ferguson added 14:12 - Sep 20
But what WOULD Mr John or Mr Patrick have had to say about an Ipswich Town player interviewing in a basketball top !

I say ! What are these modern footie types like !
1

Ferguson added 14:13 - Sep 20
AND IT'S GOT YELLOW AND GREEN ON IT !!!!
1

iaintaylorx added 14:46 - Sep 20
PJewellIsAGod

I think it is because Coke is absolutely horrendous? Why should he get on the bench and stunt the growth of our youngsters?
0

Surco72 added 17:23 - Sep 20
Don't understand why Best is the big story ? Are you not reporting on the game and surely the big story is that a youngster who was not deemed good enough to start above injury prone journeymen comes on and scores two and turns the game around in our favour ?
2

Surco72 added 17:23 - Sep 20
Don't understand why Best is the big story ? Are you not reporting on the game and surely the big story is that a youngster who was not deemed good enough to start above injury prone journeymen comes on and scores two and turns the game around in our favour ?
0

blueboy1981 added 18:01 - Sep 20
...... yet again, this guy has much potential - played to his strengths, and given service from where it should come.

But will it happen ? ............ or will yet another players strengths and potential be wasted ?

Over to you McCarthy .......... !!!!!
1


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