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Match Report: Leeds United secure friendly success over Shelbourne
Wednesday, 13th Jul 2016 20:52 by Lucas Monk

Leeds United recorded an expected victory over League of Ireland first division side Shelbourne, as Garry Monk took charge of the Whites for the first time.

Leeds United recorded an expected victory over Shelbourne at Tolka Park this evening, with Souleymane Doukara and Hadi Sacko on target for Garry Monk's men.

There were debuts for a number of new acquisitions, such as Kemar Roofe and Matt Grimes.

Rob Green, Liam Cooper, and Gaetano Berardi did not feature.

Leeds line-up (first 60 minutes) : Turnbull, Coyle, Bartley, Diagouraga, Denton, Phillips, Murphy (C), Mowatt, Sacko, Roofe, Doukara.

Leeds line-up (last 30 minutes) : Peacock-Farrell, Purver, McKay, Bamba, Taylor, Vieira, Grimes, Botaka, Stokes, Antonsson, Wood.

Shelbourne line-up: Brady, Brown, O'Connor, O'Reilly, D.Kavanagh, C.Kavanagh, Boyne, D.Grimes, Shannon, English, Walshe.

Shelbourne substitutes: Murray, Carragher, Harper, Duggan, Evans, Cassin, McTeer, Robinson, R.Coyle.

Leeds started positively, and the Whites' first attack of the game saw Lewie Coyle make his way to the byline before crossing. Unfortunately the youngster's cross evaded the United players waiting in the box, and the attack came to nothing.

United however, would be rewarded for their positive start just 3 minutes later. Kemar Roofe seized upon a poor clearance in the penalty area, and Souleymane Doukara composed himself before opening the scoring with a low finish in at the near-post on 9 minutes.

Leeds continued to probe and press despite taking an early lead, and their attacking endeavor was once again rewarded with a goal on 14 minutes. A slick, incisive passing move culminated in a debut goal of sorts for Hadi Sacko. Alex Mowatt fed the Frenchman with a neat little pass into the box, before Sacko doubled United's money with a cool, low finish to make it 2-0.

Shelbourne responded by conjuring up a chance of their own. United were fortunate to clear an effort from the home side off the line after poor marking from a corner on 16 minutes.

The home side's best chance came on 39 minutes when a lapse in concentration from the United defence saw Shelbourne's English put clean through on goal. Ross Turnbull however, rushed off his line and blocked well his legs to spare the blushes of his back four.

Leeds would go close to making it 3-0 just before half-time, on 43 minutes. New signing Kemar Roofe had a shot deflected behind after Souleymane Doukara jinked past several Shelbourne players to create the opportunity.

Half-time: Shelbourne 0-2 Leeds United - Doukara (9), Sacko (14).

Leeds were looking to be firmly in control of the match, with a comfortable two-goal lead to boot. Unfortunately, their lead was slashed in half just 6 minutes into the second period. A Shelbourne free-kick was played into the box by Lorchan Shannon and Adam Evans bundled the ball in at the back-post to put the hosts back in with a shout.

Slick passing play was often on show from Leeds in the first-half, and they responded to Shelbourne's goal with another exhibition of good quality link-up play. Hadi Sacko and Toumani Diagouraga combined before Souleymane Doukara curled a shot just wide on 55 minutes.

Just 2 minutes later and Doukara, who netted the opening goal of the game on 14 minutes, was looking to add another strike to his name. The Frenchman went for goal on 57 minutes but he saw his shot parried away by Jack Brady in the Shelbourne goal.

New signings Kemar Roofe and Hadi Sacko were lively, and they combined to create another chance on 59 minutes. An inviting cross was played into the box by Sacko, but Roofe could only head the ball onto the roof of the net.

United rang the changes on the 60th minute, with the starting eleven replaced for the last 30 minutes by Peacock-Farrell, Purver, McKay, Bamba, Taylor, Vieira, Grimes, Botaka, Stokes, Antonsson, and Wood.

Marcus Antonsson was involved almost immediately after coming on. The Swede volleyed toward goal at the back-post but his shot was knocked behind for a corner by Shelbourne substitute goalkeeper Greg Murray on 66 minutes.

Not content with lying down and accepting defeat, Shelbourne surged forward to produce another attack of their own. Charlie Taylor could do nothing to prevent Sol Bamba from being forced into a weak clearance, but thankfully Alex Purver hacked away the resulting shot on 70 minutes.

Leeds responded with another attack just 3 minutes later, and Marcus Antonsson was involved once more. The Swede hit a shot toward goal on the turn but Murray was able to take the ball with relative ease.

Greg Murray, the Shelbourne substitute goalkeeper, was certainly being kept busy, and he was called into action again on 80 minutes. Jordan Botaka fired in a low effort but Murray was there again to deny United a deserved third goal, parrying the shot clear.

United's new signings were looking lively and productive, and Matt Grimes was no exception. The Swansea loanee whipped in a great corner on 82 minutes but an off-balance Sol Bamba could only volley the ball over the bar.

Like a pack of hunting wolves, United continued in their relentless pursuit of a third goal. Jordan Botaka went close on 87 minutes, with the DR Congo international having a left-footed shot from outside the box saved by Murray, who got down well to make the save.

That proved to be the final action of the game, and Leeds ran out 2-1 winners over Shelbourne. Hadi Sacko, Alex Mowatt, Marcus Antonsson, and Kemar Roofe all looked lively and there was plenty of slick football on show from Garry Monk's side.

Shelbourne gave a good account of themselves, and we wish them the best of luck for their campaign.

Next up for the Whites, another game in Dublin against Shamrock Rovers on Saturday.

Photo: Action Images



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