Leeds United under-21s update as young Whites see off Stockport County in Premier League Cup clash

Leeds United Under-21s beat Stockport County 3-1 in the Premier League Cup on Monday evening. The Whites fought back from 1-0 to beat the Hatters at the LNER Community Stadium in York. They have now got their first three points on the board in the competition and have gone top of their group. Charlton Athletic and Birmingham City are also in Group H.

Leeds’ youngsters went into half-time 0-0 against Stockport after a tight first 45 minutes. Their opponents then took the lead after 57 minutes and gave them some work to do. Scott Gardner’s men equalised through an impressive free-kick by Rhys Chadwick. They then made sure of their victory with Jeremiah Mullen and Joe Richards on the scoresheet.

Connor Ferguson, Joe Snowdon and Connor Douglas all got some minutes under their belts following recent injuries. They will now be eager to kick on over the coming weeks and months.

Leeds: Mahady (GK), Dudley (Hamilton 89’), Bird (McDonald 67’), Toulson, Lopata-White (C), Mullen, Vincent (Ferguson 46’), Cresswell, Douglas (Snowdon 46’), Chadwick, Richards. Subs not used: Baird (GK).

Stockport: Metcalfe (GK), Okeke, Hillary, Williams-Lawless, Atkinson, Watson, Adshead (Dialundama 71’), Johnson (C), Kouam (Redshaw 46’), C. Gardner, S. Gardner (Fowles 81’). Subs not used: O’Shea (GK), Okoligan.

Leeds United Under-21s

Gardner was appointed as Leeds’ Under-21s manager back in January. The 35-year-old was placed in interim charge last November and stepped up from his position with the Under-18s before landing the permanent role. He joined the Whites back in 2012 and has worked his way up their ranks. Former Middlesbrough and Liverpool winger Stewart Downing is on his coaching staff along with Michal Pujdak and Chris Elliott.

Leeds’ Under-21s compete in the Premier League 2, the Premier League International Cup, and the Premier League Cup these days. They are back in action on Monday with an away trip to Nottingham Forest before clashes against the likes of Newcastle United, Birmingham and Charlton.

Defender Richards scored against Stockport County and he was handed his first professional contract over the summer. A statement from the club read at the time: “Leeds United are pleased to announce Joe Richards has signed his first professional contract with the club. The versatile defender has put pen to paper on a one-year deal, tying his future to Elland Road until 2025. 

“The 18-year-old featured in every minute of the Whites’ FA youth Cup journey last season, as Rob Etherington’s side reached the final at the Etihad Stadium. Capable of playing at full-back or in a more advanced role on the wing, Richards also made a handful of appearances for Scott Gardner’s Under-21s team, scoring against Fulham in just his fourth Premier League 2 outing.

“The club would like to congratulate Joe on signing his first professional contract and we look forward to seeing his development at Thorp Arch.”

Under-21s upcoming fixtures

Nottingham Forest (A) - 28th October

Newcastle United (H) - 1st November

Birmingham City (A) - 11th November (Premier League Cup)

Charlton Athletic (H) - 25th November (Premier League Cup)

Fulham (A) - 29th November

Blackburn Rovers (H) - 13th December

Stockport County (A) - 17th December (Premier League Cup)