Leeds United Under-21s have made history after defeating Sutton United in the first-ever National League Cup final 2-1.
As Leeds United have celebrated their promotion back to the Premier League all week, Scott Gardner’s Under-21 side have given even more cause to party by making history in the inaugural National League Cup final.
The new tournament, in conjunction with the Premier League and National League, has seen 16 academy sides of top Premier League and Championship clubs compete against 16 senior teams from the National League.
Leeds have outlasted the likes of Manchester United and Newcastle United to become the first team to get their hands on the trophy.
3,062 fans were in attendance at Sutton’s VBS Community Stadium, including a healthy contingent of Leeds fans who cheered on the youngsters, to witness the Whites defeat former striker Steve Morison’s Sutton United.
With the newest first-team debutant Harry Gray, Diogo Monteiro and James Debayo all starting, there were plenty of familiar faces in action and they all performed very well.
Here’s how the match unfolded.
Diogo Monteiro gives Leeds a first-half lead
You’d be forgiven for thinking the team wearing all navy was actually the one comprised of senior players rather than hopeful kids, as Leeds took control early on and used the ball much more intelligently than Sutton.
In a similar fashion to Daniel Farke’s first side, the young full-back pair of Connor Douglas and Connor Ferguson marshalled their flanks, with Douglas getting the side’s first shot on target from a tight angle.
The lively Gray soon got involved in Leeds’ good attacking moves, too, as he picked the ball up deep and ran at a clearly rattled defence that began to hold him tight with some questionable methods to stop him from getting in behind.
Yet, their defence was left all at sea after a simple but effective move cut them to shreds. Debayo played a defence-splitting pass to the onrushing Douglas who delivered a cross Jayden Bogle would be proud of for Monteiro to turn in from a couple of yards. Douglas would continue to impress throughout the match.
A young side full of confidence then began to pass the ball around at the back with ease, frustrating Sutton, who flew in with late challenges. Only a barge on Monteiro stopped the Portuguese from charging further forward and letting fly on goal as Leeds pressed for a second.
However, Sutton, in a very attritional and rudimentary manner, managed to apply some late pressure with several set-piece deliveries towards the end of the half.
Yet, centre-back Kristan Moore and goalkeeper Rory Mahady were equal to everything that came their way to ensure Leeds went in at the break with a deserved lead.
Harry Gray gets on the score sheet
Leeds came flying out of the blocks as first-half substitute Ollie Pickles attempted an audacious flick on goal and the colossus Moore got a header on target.
Sutton again seemed to realise they were up against a load of teenagers and tried to assert themselves but were held at bay by a resolute back-line.
Just as it seemed as though the home side were building the momentum, winger Harvey Vincent burst through the defence and played a delightful ball to the back post, which Gray made no mistake in firing into the roof of the net.
Sutton desperately tried to find a way back into the game but the composed Mahady was equal to everything thrown at him and Leeds remained dangerous on the counter, with captain Alfie Cresswell hitting the bar and Gray causing trouble.
Sutton began to turn up the heat and finally got on the score sheet when Lewis Simper lashed into the net after a loose ball fell his way.
The brave Leeds starlets had their backs against the wall for the final 13 minutes and five minutes of added time but managed the game brilliantly as they waited out the final whistle in the opposition corner like seasoned veterans.
It finally blew to crown Leeds the first National League Cup champions and sparked yet more wild celebrations for the club.
It was nothing less than what a valiant and skilful Leeds side deserved, with great performances across the park. It’ll be intriguing to see if any of these talented youngsters break into the first team, with Debayo, Monteiro, Gray, Mahady, Moore and Ferguson all shining especially bright under immense pressure.
The good times for Leeds continue at every level.
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