National League Cup

Hartlepool United 3 (Bondo pen 25’, 70’; Popov 28’)

Leeds United U21 1 (Hodja 75’)

Hartlepool: Fisher (GK), Hunter (C), Hugill (Ilunga 63’), Eccleston, Penman, Nolan (Smith 63’), Popov (Foreman 83’), Penprase, Gibson, Bondo, Lavelle (Kouogun 46’) (Gilbraith 79’). Subs not used: Merrick (GK), Clark.

Leeds: Mahady (GK), Lane, Philpott, Pickles (C), Egan-Riley, Enahoro-Marcus, Vincent, McDonald (Mensah 83’), Render, Alker (Thompson 90’), White (Hodja 71’). Subs not used: Ombang (GK), Bennett.

Venue: Victoria Park | Referee: Andrew Miller

Leeds United Under-21s fell to defeat against an experienced Hartlepool United side in the final National League Cup match of Group C, despite a first goal in white for Ditmir Hodja.

With both teams unable to progress to the knockout rounds, Scott Gardner’s youngsters went into the last clash looking to end their campaign on a high with a positive display in County Durham. They were immediately on the front foot as Josh McDonald picked out the run of Harvey Vincent who in turn crossed looking for Jacob Render but a timely slip allowed the hosts to clear.

The game was frenetic in its infancy and veteran EFL forward Jordan Hugill went close for the Pools. Rory Mahady spilled the initial strike though the Scot reacted quickly to clutch the looping ball. A cross from the left flank was then bundled behind by Roman Egan-Riley.

Referee Andrew Miller awarded the National League outfit a penalty after 25 minutes when Freddie Lane was adjudged to have brought down Hugill inside the area. Terry Bondo stepped up and fired a powerful spot-kick into the bottom corner.

Hartlepool doubled their advantage shortly after the restart. Chris Popov was well placed in the middle to profit on a loose ball and reacted accordingly, drilling low beyond Mahady and into the back of the net.

Keen to respond, a fine threaded pass from Roman Egan-Riley released forward Jacob Render who raced through on goal. The attacker struck towards the far corner but Nathan Fisher was equal to it with a superb diving save.

Gardner’s side thought they had reduced the arrears when McDonald’s fizzing shot was parried into the path of the onrushing Vincent to tap home, until the assistant’s flag was raised for an offside against the goalscorer. United continued to threaten, particularly through Vincent who had two further sights of goal, until the half-time whistle sounded.

HALF TIME: Hartlepool United 2-0 Leeds United U21

Leeds emerged from the interval unchanged as they sought to end the National League Cup campaign on a high. The visitors had to defend early on, however, and Louie Philpott did just enough to put Hugill under pressure as he headed over the upright.

McDonald, who had been lively all evening, then dragged a rasping effort agonisingly beyond the far post from the edge of the area, after his quick feet initially worked a yard of space 20 yards from goal.

From distance, Ollie Pickles’ free-kick had Fisher scampering across his line to intervene, denying the skipper as the Whites knocked on the Hartlepool door searching for a route back into the tie.

With Leeds dominating the ball, a rare venture forward from the hosts saw Jack Nolan curl a powerful set-piece narrowly wide. Down the other end, Vincent again went close as he forced Fisher into a low stop.

Against the run of play, the hosts extended their advantage through Bondo’s second of the evening. The attacker found space in the middle to meet a cross from the right and bundled home.

United finally got the goal the play deserved through substitute Hodja. Just minutes after his introduction, the North Macedonia youth international reacted quickly inside the area, took a touch to compose himself and lashed beyond Fisher.

The striker was nearly the architect of a second shortly after the restart. Hodja showed great hold up play to win the ball and release McDonald who ignored the option of Philpott and went alone, powering over the crossbar.

As the game entered its closing stages, Mahady made a superb double save to deny Charlie Smith and then Bondo following up. Hodja also rattled the woodwork down the other end before Miller brought the tie to a close.

FULL TIME: Hartlepool United 3-1 Leeds United U21