U21s Report: Stockport County 4-2 Leeds United | OneFootball

Premier League Cup

Stockport County U21 4 (Mahady OG 27’, Monteiro OG 61’, Kouam 68’, 71’)

Leeds United U21 2 (Chambers 45’, Snowdon 49’)

Stockport: O’Shea (GK), Mingi (S Gardner 62’), Hillary, Mapengu, Hughes, Watson, Fiorini, Johnson (C), Kouam (Williams 86’), C Gardner, Mee (Johnson 86’). Subs not used: Bove (GK), Williams-Lawless.

Leeds: Mahady (GK), Dudley, Richards, Crew, Lopata-White (C) (Moore 46’), Monteiro, Lane (Brown 75’), Toulson, Chambers, Snowdon, Douglas. Subs not used: Grainger (GK), Simo, Dawber.

Venue: Tameside Stadium

Referee: Michael Barlow

Booked: Richards (Leeds)

Leeds United Under-21s slipped to a frustrating defeat away against Stockport County Under-21s in the Premier League Cup, despite goals from Sam Chambers and Joe Snowdon either side of the break.

An even affair in the game’s infancy, the hosts were the first to threaten when Sam Hughes pealed into space to attack a corner from the right, though Leeds skipper Reuben Lopata-White was well placed to head away, before Diogo Monteiro, on his return to the side, cleared a follow up cross.

Scott Gardner’s side were beginning to dominate after a quiet start at the Tameside Stadium, with Charlie Crew and Chambers in particular enjoying time on the ball as United looked to create a first clear-cut chance for themselves.

Wales international Crew, deployed in a deeper role on the evening, controlled proceedings from deep with an array of long-range passes, but in a first half that was slow in bursting to life, the sea of blue Stockport shirts defended resolutely.

Moments before the half hour mark, the hosts took the lead in unfortunate circumstances when a mistake from goalkeeper Rory Mahady cruelly resulted in the ball nestling in the bottom corner.

The Hatters, keen to extend their lead, then went close through Ashton Mee as the winger met a dangerous Jay Mingi delivery from the right, volleying high and wide of the upright.

Looking for a response before the break, the Whites had the ball in the back of the net after Joe Richards latched onto Crew’s incisive pass inside the area and rifled a low strike beyond Cian O’Shea, only for the assistant’s flag to be raised on the far side with the full-back adjudged to have been offside.

Freddie Lane was next to go close when, this time onside, the winger found space before lashing a fierce effort over the bar from a narrow angle.

With half-time approaching, Mahady’s services were called upon as the Scotland youth international made an impressive low save to stop Nathaniel Mapengu’s long range drive.

After Snowdon had seen a well struck shot charged down well by Hughes and Lane miscued a header at the back post as he met a pinpoint cross from Louie Dudley, Gardner’s side finally levelled proceedings seconds before the half-time whistle sounded.

Following a number of blocks and challenges, the ball fell kindly for Chambers who reacted quickly 12 yards out to confidently finish low past O’Shea and into the corner.

HALF TIME: Stockport County U21 1-1 Leeds United U21

Leeds emerged from the break with a change in personnel, with defender Kris Moore making a return to the side and replacing Lopata-White.

United’s backline wasn’t the only thing to differ from the first 45 minutes: the heavens had opened in typical Greater Manchester fashion and the temperature had dropped significantly.

Not hampered by the conditions however, and perhaps using them to their advantage with a slick attacking move, the Whites took the lead minutes into the second half with a sublime flowing move!

Connor Douglas, marauding forward, drove to the edge of the area, threading an intricate pass through for Snowdon who slotted past the onrushing O’Shea to hand his side the lead.

Scintillating one-touch football from Lane and then Chambers teed the ball up nicely for Douglas to strike, with his powerful low shot cannoning off a blue shirt and fizzing narrowly wide of the far post.

Just after the hour mark, Stockport got themselves back on level terms through another own goal, with this time the ball ricochetting off the unfortunate Monteiro and leaving Mahady with no chance to react.

In a rare let up from the relentless rain, Leeds almost retook the lead immediately through Lane, but the winger was unable to wrap his foot around the ball as he looked to place one in the far corner.

Down the other end, the Hatters then went ahead in controversial circumstances when Crew appeared to be fouled inside the area, yet referee Michael Barlow’s whistle never sounded, with Marcus Kouam bundling home at the far post.

The County striker added to his tally with his side’s fourth with just under 20 minutes remaining, meeting a cross from the left a few yards from goal.

Chances came and went for the Whites as they desperately searched for a route back into the tie – Dan Toulson and Snowdon came closest to reducing the deficit – but the home side hung on to claim all three points.

FULL TIME: Stockport County U21 4-2 Leeds United U21