National League Cup Report: Boston United 3-4 Leeds United U21 ...

National League Cup Group C

Boston United 3 (Ward 14’, 76’; Marriot 39’)

Leeds United U21 4 (Vincent 15’, Thomas 54’, 85’; Cresswell 83’)

Boston: Craven (GK), C Green (Perry-Burdett 59’), Leak, Ward, Marriott (Burden-Whittleton 59’), Mooney (Wood 74’), Rowe (Bradley 67’), Aderoju (W Green 74’), Tomlinson, Nicholson, Frostick. Subs not used: Owen, Alonzi.

Leeds: Mahady (GK), Cresswell, Moore, Toulson (McFadden 57’), Lopata-White (C), Mullen, Vincent, Coleman, Thomas (Pickles 88’), Chadwick, Bird (McDonald 73’). Subs not used: Baird (GK), Dudley, Billett, Pirie.

Venue: Jakemans Community Stadium

Attendance: 467

Referee: Jamie O’Connor

Booked: Frostick (Boston) Bird (Leeds)

Leeds United Under-21s opened their National League Cup group stage campaign with a stunning 4-3 victory over Boston United late on!

Scott Gardner’s side had fought back from behind on three separate occasions, before in-form striker Luca Thomas continued his imperious goalscoring form to win it in the dying minutes for the Whites.

In pouring rain and swirling winds, United enjoyed a large share of possession in the opening stages at the Jakemans Community Stadium, keeping hold of the ball well and looking to use the flanks to make the early inroads.

Despite the pressure, it would be the hosts that went ahead just before the 15-minute mark, when midfielder Keaton Ward curled a stunning strike into the top corner from distance.

The lead only lasted a matter on moments however, as Leeds fought back to restore parity almost immediately.

An incisive pass from Cian Coleman found the marauding run of Kris Moore down the left flank, with the defender in turn flashing a dangerous delivery across the face of goal which Harvey Vincent bundled home at the back post!

The frantic start continued, with forward Thomas dragging an effort narrowly wide on the turn from inside the area, before Vincent drew a fingertip save from Ellis Craven as he rifled a powerful effort towards goal from the edge of the area.

From the resulting corner, Jeremiah Mullen, on the back of his goal last time out against Tottenham U21s, rose highest to meet Rhys Chadwick’s in-swinging corner but could only head into the ground allowing Craven to collect.

For all the Whites’ possession, the hosts still offered a threat on the break and winger Dan Mooney twice went close, initially flicking a low cross from the right narrowly past the post, with Mullen blocking a well-struck effort just after the half hour mark.

Approaching the break and perhaps wanting to use the gusting winds to his advantage, Mullen then let fly from 45 yards out as he looked to surprise Craven, fizzing a thunderous strike narrowly wide of the upright.

Again somewhat against the run of play, the Pilgrims retook the lead when Adam Marriott profited on a loose ball down the left and drove inside the area, finishing low beyond Rory Mahady into the corner.

HALF TIME: Boston United 2-1 Leeds United U21

The Whites started the second half on the front foot as they looked for an equaliser, with Thomas picking out the run on Vincent, only for Boston’s Cameron Green to make a fantastic last-ditch challenge as the winger broke into the area.

And just nine minutes into the second 45, the Whites deservedly levelled proceedings as impressive forward Thomas continued his record of scoring in every match he has featured in so far this term!

Captain Reuben Lopata-White floated a superb pass over the top for Chadwick to race onto down the right. The midfielder crossed low for Thomas who needed no invitation, emphatically finishing into the top corner.

Chances came and went for both sides following the equaliser, with Coban Bird, Vincent and then Chadwick seeing efforts blocked for Gardner’s side.

The Pilgrims’ Charlie Burden-Whittleton was then the beneficiary of a fortunate ricochet and found himself on-on-one with Mahady, but a superb sprawling save from the Scotland youth international denied the substitute from close range.

Approaching the final 10 minutes, Boston’s Ward grabbed his second of the evening and his side’s third, capitalising on a mix up at the back to score from distance.

The Whites refused to be beaten on a sodden evening in Lincolnshire however and levelled for the third time, when Alfie Cresswell rose highest at the back post to power home a header from a corner!

As soon as the Whites had equalised they took the lead with what would prove to be the winner, as Thomas unleashed a vicious strike with his weaker right foot that arrowed into the top corner!

Chadwick initially did superbly to win back possession inside the hosts’ territory, finding the striker who twisted and turned past two yellow and black shirts before powering into the back of the net.

FULL TIME: Boston United 3-4 Leeds United U21