A crowd of 35,129 were in attendance to watch Leeds safely progress to the second round of the Caribou Cup, but like just they did against Cardiff last weekend, took the long route!

The Shrews, to their credit, more than played their part. They were a well disciplined unit, operating a high press, forcing Leeds into mistake after mistake (in the opening half). Leeds would work hard to retrieve the ball, only to give it away seconds later, a common theme, seen all too often from the Whites, in recent times.

Leeds started brightly. Dan James, Leo Hjelde and Archie Gray all sent early warning shots across Shrewsbury's bow, but failed to test Marko Marosi, between the sticks.

The visitors struck first, just before the half hour mark. Tom Bayliss played a clever ball into Taylor Perry whose strike took a wicked deflection off Leo Hjelde, leaving Karl Darlow stranded. The ball looped up, crashing against the woodwork, on its way in.

Chorus's of boos were heard from large sections of the Elland Road crowd as Farke's side retreated to the dressing room at half time. Whatever was said during the interval did the trick, and within seven minutes were level.

Marosi was only able to parry away Ian Poveda's effort, and Gelhardt was in the right place at the right time to stab the ball home from close distance. Whether he knew too much about it, is another question.

Leeds now had the bit between their teeth, and five minutes later took the lead. Ampadu jumped highest, trying to connect with James' corner. This drew Flanagan out of position, as the ball bounced across the penalty area where Pascal Struijk was on hand to volley Leeds into the lead!

Leeds had chances to extend their lead as Matt Taylor's team began to tire, but as we saw against Cardiff, poor finishing let them down. Leeds face a trip to Salford City in the second round.

	Line Up		Nat	Match Events
		Darlow, Karl Goalkeeper
		Ayling, Luke Defender
		Shackleton, Jamie Midfielder
		Hjelde, Leo Defender
		Cresswell, Charlie Defender
		Ampadu, Ethan Midfielder
		Gray, Archie Midfielder
		Gyabi, Darko Midfielder
		James, Daniel Midfielder
		Poveda, Ian Midfielder
		Gelhardt, Joe Forward
	Subs		Nat	Match Events
		Byram, Sam Defender
		Struijk, Pascal Defender
		Sinisterra, Luis Midfielder
		Drameh, Cody Defender
		Bate, Lewis Midfielder
		Meslier, Illan Goalkeeper		Unused Sub
		Klaesson, Kristoffer Goalkeeper		Unused Sub
		Moore, Kris Defender		Unused Sub
		Perkins, Sonny Forward		Unused Sub

		Debuts	Nat	DOB	Joined
		Darlow, Karl Goalkeeper		8/10/1990 (32)	29/07/2023

	References
	LEEDSTATS: Leeds United Season 2023/2024
	Sheridan Dictates: Season Statistics 2023-24
	Leeds United Programme Guide: Season 2023/24