National League Cup Group C
Boreham Wood 5 (Booty 8’, Richardson 31’, 45’; Ali Wahid 41’, Allarakhia 45’)
Leeds United U21 2 (Chambers 69’, McDonald 75’)
Boreham Wood: Gunter (GK), Clarke, Bainbridge (Golden 46’), Bush (C) (O’Connell 46’), Richardson (Rush 59’), Cashman, Allarakhia (Brunt 59’), Ali Wahid, Marshall-Miranda, Booty (White 46’), Kensdale. Subs not used: Abdulmalik, Stapelberg.
Leeds: Cook (GK), Lane, Philpott, Howard, Enahoro-Marcus, Howson, Vincent (McDonald 58’), Pickles (C) (Trialist 71’), Njinko (Render 71’), Chambers, Alker (Bird 81’). Subs not used: Kenyon (GK), Whitehead, Mensah.
Venue: Meadow Park | Attendance: 704 | Referee: Sam Mulhall | Booked: Howard, Lane
A very youthful Leeds United Under-21s side endured a difficult evening in their National League Cup tie at Boreham Wood as they fell to defeat.
The Group C opener pitted the two sides to have the lifted the trophy previously against one another. The Whites were victorious in the inaugural edition of the competition while the fifth-tier outfit were successful last time around.
Despite the end result, United had started the match on the front foot. Sam Alker spearheaded a counter attack down the right and after marauding to the edge of the area, the England youth international curled a left-footed strike narrowly over the upright.
Then, with Scott Gardner’s side again searching for the opener, Carrick Njinko laid the ball off for the onrushing Ollie Pickles who saw a fierce 20-yard drive deflect wide of the post.
Boreham Wood took the lead with their first venture forward of the evening. Regan Booty was well placed in the middle to loop a header over Robbie Cook and into the back of the net.
Keen to restore parity almost immediately, forward Harvey Vincent slid a dangerous ball across the face of goal which Alker would have met just yards out if not for a fine piece of defending by a retreating home shirt.
Approaching the half-hour mark, Louis Enahoro-Marcus towered above everyone in the middle when attacking a Pickles set piece, but was unable to power his headed effort on target.
Moments later, the hosts doubled their advantage through Lewis Richardson in what would prove to be a difficult spell before the interval for Gardner's side.
Farhaan Ali Wahid added a third on the break for Boreham Wood before a fantastic curling Tarryn Allarakhia shot cannoned off the woodwork and into the top corner. With seconds remaining of the half, Richardson then grabbed his second of the night as the whistle sounded.
HALF TIME: Boreham Wood 5-0 Leeds United U21
The Whites emerged unchanged after a tough opening 45 minutes in Hertfordshire. While the result was out of their hands, United were still showing pride as they battled for every ball, showing the determination required to reduce the deficit.
Clever link up play down the left saw skipper Pickles chip a pass over the top for Philpott who raced to the byline, delivering dangerously for Njinko, but under pressure from a white shirt he flicked a first-time effort over the crossbar.
A first substitution of the evening from the dugout introduced Josh McDonald into the action, replacing Vincent in a change down the right flank.
The Scottish attacker was involved from the off, forcing a fine diving save from Luca Gunter who parried an arrowed drive that was destined for the top corner, with the home side managing to deal with the rebound.
Leeds finally got the goal their play deserved with just over 20 minutes remaining. McDonald was again influential, driving in from the left and releasing Sam Chambers. The attacking midfielder took a touch to compose himself, chopped past a defender and lashed a low strike home.
Further alterations in personnel followed with Jacob Render replacing the hard-working Njinko. The Whites then continued on the front foot and Alker drilled a powerful strike from the edge of the area, forcing Gunter into a good save.
The arrears were further reduced moments later. Seizing on a loose ball inside the opponents’ half, the lively McDonald darted into the box and left a defender in his wake, then wrong-footed the Boreham Wood goalkeeper!
As Leeds threw everything at their opponents in the remaining minutes, the game began to stretch. Cook made a series of magnificent saves – the third of a quick-fire trio to deny Ali Wahid was outstanding – to prevent Boreham Wood’s advantage from extending before the final whistle.
Next up for Gardner’s side is the Premier League 2 opener at the weekend, where they will welcome West Bromwich Albion U21s to Thorp Arch.
FULL TIME: Boreham Wood 5-2 Leeds United U21