Mark Jackson oversaw a spirited display from a young Under 23s Leeds United side, as they played their first match of the Premier League Cup against Group E opponents, Wigan Athletic.
Going into the game, the Whites had the majority of their usual Under 23s side away on international duty, allowing for the majority of the Under 18s to step up and gain experience at a higher level.
Inside just 10 minutes of the game, Kris Moore who was named captain on the evening, put his side ahead. A Sean McGurk corner was whipped into the box and turned back across goal by Jeremiah Mullen and the skipper did the rest, smashing into the roof of the net.
Wigan were level just two minutes later, when Divin Baningime was perfectly placed from Dean Pinnington’s cross to head home at the far post.
In a frantic opening period, the Latics then went ahead in the match. Harry McHugh was alert and picked up a loose pass, before composing himself and smashing in low and hard into the net.
Playing his former side, McGurk looked to get his new side level and had a couple of efforts which had the Wigan defence stretching. Shortly before the interval, Charlie Allen forced the opposition ‘keeper into action with a powerful strike.
HALF TIME: Leeds United 1-2 Wigan Athletic
The second half saw plenty of good football on show and desire at both ends. Jackson sent his team out in search of the equaliser and they came close, with Harvey Sutcliffe heading over the bar moments in the second 45.
McHugh then nearly grabbed his second and the third for his side, as he twisted and turned on the edge of the box before his right-footed attempt struck the crossbar.
Brought on as subs, Keenan Carole and Luca Thomas both came close to making an impact from the bench as the Whites continued to press forward in the game.
In a 90 minutes where both teams had given everything and matched one another, the first clash of these teams in Group E was brought to a close and the visitors claimed all three points.
FULL TIME: Leeds United 1-2 Wigan Athletic
Premier League Cup - Group E
Leeds United 1 (Moore 8’)
Wigan Athletic 2 (Baningime 10’, McHugh 19’)
Leeds: Dani Van Den Heuvel (GK), Harvey Stucliffe, Connor Ferguson, Morten Spencer (Luca Thomas 72’), Kris Moore (c), Jeremiah Mullen, Alfie Hughes (Keenan Carole 60’), Charlie Allen, Ben Andreucci (Joe Littlewood 79’), Archie Gray, Sean McGurk.
Subs not used: Harry Christy, Lui Bradbur
Wigan: Sam Tickle, Kieran Lloyd, Luke Robinson, James Carragher, Adam Long, Scott Smith (c), Dean Pinnington (Arthur Lomax 90’), Baba Adeeko, Tom Costello, Harry McHugh, Divin Baningime (Chris Sze 67’).
Subs not used: Owen Mooney, Levi Welsh, Charlie Hughes.
Venue: LNER Community Stadium (York)
Referee: Daniel Middleton
Booked: Mullen (Leeds) Smith (Wigan)