National League Cup

Gateshead FC 0

Leeds United U21 3 (Pickles 26’, 81’, Render 54’)

Gateshead FC: Shelvey (GK), Ferguson, Elliott-Wheeler, Richardson (C) (Williams 37’), Flint, Adom (Fitzhugh 46’), Telford (Lowery 75’), Butterfield (Home 75’), Newton (John 37’), Hurst, Bone. Subs not used: Leech (GK), Edwards.

Leeds: Ombang (GK), Firth, Lienou, Cresswell (C), Howard (Matykiewicz 87’), Enahoro-Marcus, Render, Pickles, Wilson (White 62’), Brockie (Mills 71’), Chambers. Subs not used: Cook (GK), Lopata-White, Dudley.

Referee: Garreth Rhodes

Venue: Gateshead International Stadium

Bookings: John, Ferguson (Gateshead) Chambers, Lienou (Leeds)

Attendance: 120

Leeds United Under-21s’ National League Cup campaign came to an end against Gateshead FC with a spirited performance by the Whites that saw Ollie Pickles net twice in a night where United had 17 shots.

Boss Scott Gardner had named six changes to the side that faced Accrington Stanley in the Vertu Trophy last time out.

Darryl Ombang, on loan this season at National League North outfit Darlington, featured in goal, while Marley Wilson led Leeds’ line in his first ever start for the U21s.

On a brisk Tyne and Wear evening, action got underway from the Gateshead International Stadium with Ombang making a strong save on a long-range effort from Gateshead’s Dom Telford before Leeds’ Sam Chambers broke down the length of the pitch to win the Whites an early corner.

In a frenetic start, Leeds had the next chances, with Jacob Render and Devon Brockie both firing hard into a sprawling George Shelvey.

With the Tynesiders breaking down the right, Ombang was soon called into action himself, sticking out a foot to divert a Kain Adom strike wide.

From there, the game settled, with both teams pressing minimally and few chances forthcoming for either.

But then, out of nowhere, here came Pickles weaving his way toward the box and unleashing a rocket into the bottom lefthand corner to beat Shelvey and propel the Whites to a 26th minute lead!

Pickles did not shirk his defensive duties either, putting in a crucial block to deny Adom’s attempt at an equaliser after the striker had manoeuvred around Ombang.

With the home side threatening from repeated corners, United dug in, holding their ground and seeking chances to get up the pitch through Chambers and Jacob Render. On one occasion, Chambers found Brockie in the penalty area, but the attacker could only manage to find the side netting as the half wound down.

HALF TIME: Gateshead FC 0-1 Leeds United U21

Leeds threatened early in the second half, with Chambers and Brockie combining to feed Pickles on the edge of the area, but his thunderous attempt clanged off the bar and out.

A second goal came soon after, with the lively Chambers picking out Render with a low cross into the box that the winger slotted into the net to double United’s lead.

As the night went on, the action heated up, with players flying into challenges on both sides.

Holding onto their lead, the Whites remained vigilant, with Jacob Howard jumping to block a close-range shot by Telford. Leeds counterattacked quickly with Pickles and Alfie Cresswell but came up empty in the end.

Howard saved the day a second time, racing back toward his goal to deflect a Kyle Hurst cross out of play, before Ombang was forced into two flying save by back-to-back Callum Bone efforts.

Minutes later and still on his toes, Ombang rushed out to shut down Lowery, who had been played through by the enterprising Bone.

It was the Whites who’d next threaten, and they proved the more clinical outfit.

Chambers shot was blocked on the edge of the box, but the winger stuck with it and found Pickles, who rifled a brilliant strike into the top left corner to seal the victory for Leeds.

United desired more, and, pressing high, substitutes Logan White and Callum Mills both saw close-range shots blocked.

Everyone wanted in on the action, and defender Jayden Lienou, bombing up the wing, saw his shot thwarted by a diving Gateshead defender. It was all hands on-deck for the Tynesiders, but Leeds couldn’t find a way through to a fourth, and action came to an end with White’s latest attempt at goal denied by Shelvey.

With that, Leeds closed out their National League Cup campaign with an exciting, energetic 3-0 win against an experienced Gateshead side. It will certainly have proved a worthwhile test for Scott Gardner’s men.

FULL TIME: Gateshead FC 0-3 Leeds United U21