Pre-season Friendly

Heart of Midlothian 0

Leeds United 1 (Ayling 38’)

Hearts: Clark (GK), Atkinson (Sibbick 71’), Kingsley, Kent, Rowles, Haring (Halliday 80’), Oda (Cochrane 61’), Nieuwenhof (Smith 74’), Shankland (C), Forrest (Wilson 86’), Grant (Devlin 61’). Subs not used: McGovern (GK), Neilson, Denholm, Stone. 

Leeds: Meslier (GK), Ayling (Shackleton 67’), Ampadu (Gyabi 78’), Cooper (C) (Cresswell 78’), Summerville (Poveda 57’), James (Gnonto 67’), Struijk, Gray, Sinisterra (Gelhardt 78’), Rutter (Bamford 26’ (Joseph 81’)), Hjelde (Byram 57’). Subs not used: Klaesson (GK), Darlow (GK). 

Venue: Tynecastle

Attendance: 16,641

Referee: David Dickinson

Booked: n/a

A goal from Luke Ayling ended Leeds United's pre-season warm-up matches with a win in Scotland, after the defender scored in the first half against Heart of Midlothian in front of 16,641 fans. 

Playing in their last friendly of the summer before the league starts next weekend, the Whites travelled north of the border to take on their Scottish Premiership counterparts, who also start their own campaign next weekend.  

Daniel Farke’s side started on the front foot and saw plenty of the ball, but didn’t create too many early chances. When they did come close, it was Luis Sinisterra who forced Zander Clark to make an excellent save between the posts for the home side. 

Leeds were forced into a first half change when Georginio Rutter was withdrawn after sustaining a couple of heavy challenges. Patrick Bamford came on in his place, with 26 minutes gone in the game. 

The Whites did open the scoring as we approached half-time. A quick break forward from Crysencio Summerville saw the attacker slide to ball to his right for the on-rushing Ayling, who made no mistake in slotting home into the back of the net, despite the best efforts of a defender sliding in. 

38' Goal! Ayling breaks the deadlock after Summerville finds him in open space. 0-1 pic.twitter.com/gbvNsNDB4E

— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 30, 2023

Having been on top for much of the half, Leeds nearly doubled the lead moments later. This time it was Leo Hjelde up from his fullback position creating a chance with a strong run, but inside the area Bamford’s chipped attempt was turned behind for a corner. 

That was to be that before the interval and the whistle blew to send Leeds in with a first half lead in Edinburgh, which on the balance of play, was deserved.  

HALF TIME: Heart of Midlothian 0-1 Leeds United

No changes were made by either side at half-time and when they reemerged from the changing room, Leeds started the second half the stronger of the two teams and had two good chances.

Firstly, Summerville was denied by a good save from Clark, before Dan James fired home into the far corner of the goal moments later, only to see the offside flag go up to deny him after Bamford was offside and obstructing the goalkeeper when the shot was taken. 

50' Ruled out for obstructing the keeper, but we can still appreciate this 'goal' by Dan James! 0-1 pic.twitter.com/FIbkwb0Sky

— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 30, 2023

In what was an exciting start to the second half, it was then the home side who pushed forward. Creating their first real chance of the game, Yutaro Oda found space and struck low on goal, forcing Illan Meslier into a good save. 

Shortly before the hour mark, United’s manager did make his first changes. Ian Poveda, fresh from his goal against Nottingham Forest in midweek, replaced Summerville. The other was Hjelde coming off for Sam Bryam at fullback.  

A few minutes later, another double change was made from Farke’s bench. Willy Gnonto and Jamie Shackleton entered the game, replacing goalscorer Ayling and the unfortunate not to be on the scoresheet, James. 

Poveda created the next good chance. He was free on the wing and cut back onto his left-foot before crossing into the box where he found Gnonto who flicked a header wide. 

It was to be a very young team which would finish the match for Leeds as Joe Gelhardt, Mateo Joseph, Charlie Cresswell and Jamie Shackleton were the latest players to be brought on in the closing stages. 

The clock ticked down in Edinburgh and on the pre-season preparations for Leeds United. Another deserved friendly win made it two in a week for Farke’s side, who will now begin their Sky Bet Championship season at home to Cardiff City in a week. 

FULL TIME: Heart of Midlothian 0-1 Leeds United