Wednesday put on a largely encouraging display at Leeds today despite going down to a three-goal defeat.
Two late goals, one in added time, gave the home side a flattering final scoreline as they went back to the top of the Championship while Wednesday sit in tenth place, four points from the play-off places.
The last thing we wanted was to concede an early goal at Elland Road but that is just what we did, going behind after just three minutes.
Our defence was caught flat-footed as Leeds played a pass into the box, the outrushing James Beadle allowed the ball to bounce off his chest as he dived to block the danger and Manor Solomon was there to shoot home from 10 yards, despite Di’Shon Bernard and Max Lowe trying to cover on the line.
However, Wednesday shrugged off the early setback, Michael Ihiekwe’s header deflected over for a corner and, when that came in, Josh Windass saw his close-range shot blocked.
Windass had a big chance on 18 minutes, Bernard playing him clear into the box but the striker took an extra touch before shooting and Ethan Ampadu was able to block the effort.
Wednesday, with Shea Charles outstanding, saw another chance go begging with Yan Valery shooting into the side-netting and when Leeds did threaten again towards half-time Beadle twice saved from Dan James.
Overall, we failed to match the first-half display in the second period but Djeidi Gassama brought a full-length save out of keeper Illan Messlier after his fine run ended with a drive from 20 yards.
Leeds created few chances of their own after the break, Wednesday rueing another opportunity to equalise on 86 minutes when Valery flicked on Charles’ corner at the near post but the ball flashed past the head of Ike Ugbo and there was nobody at the far post to convert.
And we paid the price almost immediately, Largie Ramazani turning on the edge of the box before shooting past Beadle and, in effect, making sure of the three points for Leeds.
Then, six minutes into added time, Ao Tanaka deflected home a Ramazani shot with a clever flick to make it 3-0.
Beadle, Valery, Ihiekwe (Valentin 70), Bernard, M Lowe, S Charles, Bannan, Ingelsson (Johnson 54), Musaba (Paterson 79), Gassama, Windass (Ugbo 79). Unused subs: P Charles, Palmer, Otegbayo, Kobacki, J Lowe.