Leeds United Under-21s take on Sutton United in the National League Cup final on Tuesday and you can follow the game LIVE right here.
It’s been a week Leeds United will never forget after two wild parties at Elland Road to celebrate the club’s glorious return to the Premier League.
Daniel Farke’s side are now one win away from claiming the Championship title on the final day and the Leeds U21s could make history by claiming silverware themselves on Tuesday.
Scott Gardner’s young side will take on Sutton United in the first-ever National League Cup final, taking place at their opponents’ home ground, the VBS Community Stadium, on Tuesday night.
Kick-off comes at 7 pm and Leeds United News will bring you live commentary and goal updates in our live blog below.
Full-time: LEEDS ARE CHAMPIONS!
Leeds U21s are the inaugural winners of the National League Cup after defeating Sutton United 2-0 with goals from Diogo Monteiro and Harry Gray.
[Link]90′ 1-2: Gray goes down hurt
Gray does brilliantly to launch a 3 on 1 counterattack but suffers some cramp at the crucial moment of his pass. Leeds win a much-needed corner though and they keep the ball in the corner. Three minutes to go.
[Link]87′ 1-2: How have Sutton not scored!
Simper delivers a fantastic ball from a free-kick but evades everyone as it flies by the far post.
[Link]82′ 1-2: Leeds up against it
Sutton are really turning the screw now and Leeds are up against it. They need to get the ball as far away from their box for as long as possible.
[Link]78: 1-2: Sutton score
After a period of sustained pressure, Sutton get one back as Simpler lashes into the box. Mahady and Ferguson are booked after a scuffle breaks out in the box when the goalkeeper refused to give the ball up.
[Link]65′ 0-2: Off the bar!
Leeds counter with speed as Chadwick picks out Cresswell but his shot bounces back off the bar.
[Link]64′ 0-2: Sutton trying to fight back
Sutton have made more changes and are trying claw their way back into the game but every ball that goes into the box is easily gathered by Mahady.
[Link]56′ 0-2: Gray makes it two!
Vincent plays the ball across the box and Gray fires it in to the roof of the net!
[Link]54′ 0-1: Mahady gets treatment
The goalkeeper suffered a knock in that collision for the ball but is fit to continue.
[Link]51′ 0-1: Mahady gets away with one
Mahady charges off his line but midjudges the ball as Davies gets a shot away on the turn but luckily its wide. The goalkeeper does a lot better moments later to smother out Davies.
[Link]49′ 0-1: Moore on target
Moore rises highest again but this time in the opposite box to meet a corner but his header is straight at the goalkeeper.
[Link]46′ 0-1: Free kick Leeds
Cresswell earns a free-kick after being upended just outside the D. Great early pressure.
[Link]45′ 1-0: Back underway
We’re back underway and Leeds have started very brightly, with Vincent crossing for Pickles who tries to flick it home but is blocked.
[Link]HT, 0-1: Leeds lead at the break
Monteiro’s opener separates the two sides at the break and Leeds fully deserve the advantage with some exciting attacking play and strong defending.
[Link]45′ 0-1: Late pressure
Sutton are peppering the box as the half comes to a close but Leeds are valiantly holding firm for now.
[Link]36′ 0-1: Monteiro brought down
Monteiro charges forward on the ball and is eventually barged over by Odelusi, Leeds now have a free-kick in a dangerous position… Chadwick fluffs the chance.
[Link]33′ 0-1: Brilliant defending from Moore
Centre-back Moore has been gigantic at the back so far, heading four straight set piece deliveries into the box away for Leeds.
[Link]32′ 0-1: Defenders all over Gray
Leeds are trying to unleash Gray with a long ball over the top but Sutton’s defenders aren’t letting him out of their grip, with some questionable defending being used to keep him in check.
[Link]28′ 0-1: Leeds look confident
The youngsters look really confident after the opener. They’ve just dealt with another corner and played the ball out of their box really well, with a lovely bit of Chadwick skill earning himself a late foul from a frustrated Sutton midfielder.
[Link]25′ 0-1: A deserved lead
Leeds are fully deserving of their lead, however, there’s some bad news as McDonald has been forced off with his injury and Pickles has replaced him.
[Link]GOAAAAL! Leeds have the opener!
Monteiro scores again, this time turning the ball in from a yard out! 1-0!
[Link]23′ 0-0: Pause in play
There’s a pause in play as McDonaldi receives treatment after colliding with the goalkeeper.
Sutton had a couple of dangerous corners back to back but Leeds are looking much more dangerous at present.
[Link]13′ 0-0: Cresswell fires over
Leeds get into a dangerous position in the box as Sutton fail to clear their lines, the ball eventually drops to Cresswell but he blazes over the bar.
[Link]12′ 0-0: Lively play from Gray
Gray drops deep into the Leeds half to pick up the ball and his sudden burst of pace to take it forward rattled the Sutton defence, which had to drag him down.
[Link]10′ 0-0: First shot on target
Right-back Douglas gets a shot away as he slips from a tight angle but he still forces a save from the goalkeeper. Leeds are holding their own so far but Sutton clearly have the physical advantage.
[Link]4′ 0-0: Sutton fire wide
Sutton have their first foray forward but Jackson shanks his shot well wide and out of the ground.
[Link]2′ 0-0: First chance goes to Leeds
Captain Cresswell rises highest at a corner but can only direct his header wide. There’s 2,500 in attendance here with a healthy Leeds following.
[Link]A glorious day
The sun is shining down in Sutton and Leeds’ youngsters can continue the club’s celebrations with a victory today. Kick-off is at 7 pm.
[Link]Harry Gray starts for Leeds
Harry Gray starts the match up front after his recent involvement with the first team.
The starting XI is as follows: Mahady; Douglas, Moore, Debayo, Ferguson; Monteiro, Cresswell; Vincent, Chadwick, McDonald; Gray.
[Link]Harry Gray makes the trip
Journalist Joe Donnohue reports that Harry Gray is with the squad for today’s game.
Leeds’ route to the final
Group: Boston United 3-4 Leeds
Group: Gateshead 1-1 Leeds (Whites win on penalties)
Group: Halifax Town 2-2 Leeds (Whites win on penalties)
Group: 2-1 L vs Tamworth
Quarter-final: Aldershot Town 1-3 Leeds
Semi-final: Altrincham 1-2 Leeds
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Scott Gardner’s pre-match thoughts
Under-21 boss had this to say ahead of the match, telling Leeds’ official website:
“We have had a little bit of time with the season finishing in terms of the league for us but the prep has not be any different and we are looking forward to it,” the coach said.
“Any exposure we can get against senior opposition and senior professionals is massive. I think we have stood up to the test really well, which is why we have got to the final and it is about finishing the job now.
“Every game has had a different test, a different exposure to the players. They have learned a lot and we have learned a lot about them in the time that we have been in this competition.
“Our focus is always on us and what we can do well with and without the ball. We don’t want to spend too much time thinking about the opposition. We obviously do our homework and we are not going to change that going into the final.
“It would round off what has been a strong year for us. A lot of younger players are playing up, having moved up from the Under-18s.
“We have had a young group, so I think it would cap off a really strong season for us. I think the players deserve to have something to show for at the end, but ultimately they are going to have to turn up on the night to deliver.
“I think this club has always been able to produce its own players and there is a lot of good work that goes on behind the scenes at all ages.
“It is not just when they arrive in the Under-21s, it starts with the younger age groups and the work that goes on there gets them to a point where they can arrive here in the condition that they are in.”
[Link]Good evening
Welcome to LUN’s LIVE coverage of this evening’s inaugural National League Cup final between Sutton United and Leeds United Under-21s.
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