National League Cup Final Report: Sutton United 1-2 Leeds United U21s | OneFootball

National League Cup Final

Sutton United 1 (Simper 77’)

Leeds United U21 2 (Monteiro 25’, Gray 56’)

Sutton: Sims (GK), Ransom, Odelusi, Simper, Davies (C), Muller, Boateng (De Silva 46’), Wadham, Jackson (French 61’), Nadesan, Topallaj. Subs not used: Kerbey (GK), Vaz, Tume, Woodyard.

Leeds: Mahady (GK), Douglas, Ferguson (Richards 85’), Monteiro, Debayo, Moore, Vincent (Snowdon 76’), Cresswell (C), Gray (Nfonkeu 90’), Chadwick, McDonald (Pickles 26’). Subs not used: Grainger (GK), Lopata-White, Bird.

Venue: VBS Community Stadium

Referee: Sam Mulhall

Booked: Boateng, Nadesan (Sutton) Ferguson, Mahady, Chadwick (Leeds)

Attendance: 3,062 (443 away)

Leeds United Under-21s were crowned inaugural National League Cup winners after a superb victory over Sutton United in the final of the competition!

Goals from Diogo Monteiro and Harry Gray fired the young Whites to victory over the Vanarama National League outfit, lifting silverware to crown what has been an impressive campaign for the side.

Backed by a fine travelling contingent in the capital, the Whites started on the front foot in glorious sunshine at the VBS Community Stadium, with Harvey Vincent winning an early corner, from which Kris Moore glanced narrowly wide of the upright after meeting Rhys Chadwick’s out-swinging delivery.

The opening stages were an even affair with the services of United defender Monteiro called upon, well placed to hack away after Sutton’s Jack Wadham had found space inside the penalty area.

Leeds almost took the lead after 10 minutes when a pinpoint long pass from Rory Mahady was brought down excellently by Connor Douglas. Racing to the edge of the area, the full-back’s low delivery almost caught Jack Sims out at his near post, though the hosts’ stopper got down well to make a fine diving save.

Excellent tenacity from attacker Josh McDonald then did brilliantly to keep an attack alive deep into opposition territory, laying off a low pass for skipper Alfie Cresswell who lashed a fierce drive narrowly over the crossbar.

Sims was again busy moments later, reacting quickly to gather a miscued clearance from Siju Odelusi before Vincent could latch onto the loose ball.

The Sutton keeper’s next intervention was even more crucial in keeping the scores goalless, making a sprawling point-blank save to smother from Vincent after a driving run into the area from McDonald.

There was nothing Sims could do to prevent the opener, however, with Monteiro on hand to bundle a low finish into the bottom corner!

Douglas had darted down the right flank, flashing a dangerous delivery across the face of goal which fell the way of the defender who made no mistake from close range.

Gardner’s side went close to doubling their advantage when Monteiro was felled 25 yards from goal, but Chadwick saw a powerful curling effort sail over the upright.

In the remaining seconds of the opening 45 minutes, Mahady was called into action for the Whites, firstly clawing a low cross out from underneath his own crossbar in impressive fashion, before making a crucial punch to help clear the resulting corner kick.

HALF TIME: Sutton United 0-1 Leeds United U21

Leeds emerged for the second half unchanged, whilst an alteration in personnel from former United striker Steve Morison brought Dillon De Silva into the action in place of Nana Boateng.

The visitors began once more on the front foot. An electric break saw Douglas find the run of Vincent down the right flank. Crossing early, the attacker’s low delivery was met by an inventive flick on by Oliver Pickles at the front post which was blocked well by Ryan Jackson.

The busy Sims again then denied the Whites a second by clutching Moore’s goalbound header, after the defender was found by Chadwick from a set piece.

Despite the mounting pressure, Mahady had to be at his very best to preserve his side’s lead, making a stunning stop from yards out to parry away Will Davies’ close range effort!

In a second period that was as electric as the first, United doubled their lead through striker Gray! Chadwick had done excellently to work possession out to Vincent on the right flank, whose enticing delivery was pounced upon by the forward at the back post!

Looking for an immediate response, Sutton midfielder Lewis Simper tried his luck from range, firing a curling strike that was dealt well with by Mahady.

Leeds then came within inches of adding a third as Cresswell left the crossbar shaking with a rifled drive after an incisive break, with desperate defending then preventing Pickles and Connor Ferguson’s follow up opportunities.

The hosts halved the deficit with just over 10 minutes remaining, as Simper smashed a powerful strike beyond Mahady and into the back of the net to set up a nervy ending to proceedings.

Sutton threw everything at an exhausted Whites’ defence in the dying moments looking to take the tie to penalties, but Gardner’s side defended heroically until Mulhall’s final whistle sounded, crowning Leeds United Under-21s inaugural National League Cup champions on a memorable evening.

FULL TIME: Sutton United 1-2 Leeds United U21