National League Cup Report: Boston United 4-0 Leeds United U21s | OneFootball

National League Cup Group D

Boston United 4 (Grist 47’, Donnelly 62’, 90’; Lankshear 65’)

Leeds United U21 0

Boston: Lovett (GK), Grist, Teale, Sloggett (C), Hill, John-Lewis (Donnelly 46’), Hiwula (Norkett 63’), Lankshear (Bradley 79’), Richards (Coyle 75’), Raikhy (Mills 46’), Cropper. Subs not used: Jones (GK), Ging.

Leeds: Mahady (GK), Firth (Dudley 74’), Bird, Cresswell (C), Lopata-White (Howson 66’), Enahoro-Marcus (Lienou 81’), Chadwick, Pickles, Gray, Render, Brockie. Subs not used: Ombang (GK), White, Pirie.

Referee: Alan Dale

Venue: The Jakemans Community Stadium

Attendance: 830

Leeds United Under-21s began their defence of the National League Cup with a defeat to Boston United at the Jakemans Community Stadium.

Scott Gardner named a youthful side to start the encounter though could call upon Rory Mahady, Rhys Chadwick and Harry Gray following the trio’s pre-season spent with the first-team squad.

In sweltering heat in Lincolnshire, Mahady’s services were required early on as the Scotland youth international parried Lenell John-Lewis’ close-range header away from danger.

The reigning champions went close themselves shortly afterwards as Coban Bird, fresh from signing a first professional deal this summer, did well to intercept and curled a dangerous strike narrowly past Rhys Lovett’s far post.

John-Lewis was lively up front for the hosts and almost had a sight of goal from inside the area however, under pressure from the retreating Alfie Cresswell and Reuben Lopata-White, the Pilgrims’ attacker was unable to get a shot away.

An amber shirt had to be alert as Leeds broke with pace approaching the hour mark. Gray had raced onto a clever chipped ball from Chadwick and crossed towards the onrushing Jacob Render at the back post before a Boston player stooped to head away.

The game had grown into an open-ended affair and the home team looked certain to open the scoring following a scramble inside the area but Louis Enahoro-Marcus and Chadwick were on hand to charge down two point-blank-range opportunities.

Moments before the break, Bird fizzed another powerful drive wide of the upright from distance before referee Alan Dale brought an entertaining opening period to a close.

HALF TIME: Boston United 0-0 Leeds United U21

Following a slight delay to the restart, Boston took the lead with defender Ben Grist tapping home from yards out after a deep free kick was whipped into the area.

With the home side searching for a quickfire second, impressive defending from Lopata-White and Will Firth then diverted a well-struck Alex Lankshear effort away from danger.

Jordan Richards then rushed onto a swirling delivery and powered a back-post header into the stand behind Mahady’s goal.

There was nothing the keeper could do to prevent the second arriving just after the hour mark as substitute Kieren Donnelly raced through and sent a delicate chip over Mahady and into the back of the net.

Two quickly became three when Lankshear fired home from the edge of the area, leading to Gardner turning to experience as Jonny Howson was brought on for a maiden appearance since returning to the club in his new player-coach role.

Chances came and went for both sides in the closing stages including a Render strike that sailed inches past the upright before Lankshear added a fourth with the final touch of the game.

FULL TIME: Boston United 4-0 Leeds United U21