National League Cup

Scunthorpe United 1 (Ubaezuonu 47’)

Leeds United U21 3 (Gray 33’, 73’, 88’)

Scunthorpe: Watson (GK), Horton, Boyce (C) (Evans 46’), Ubaezuonu, Brogan, Beck (Eze 61’), Scales (Sellars-Fleming 46’), Starbuck (Rowley 61’), Dawson, Chadwick, Denton (Gjoshe 34’). Subs not used: Johnson (GK), Howe.

Leeds: Mahady (GK), Douglas, Lienou, Enahoro-Marcus, Lopata-White, Howson, Chadwick (Vincent 46’), Cresswell (C), Gray (Pirie 90’), Pickles (White 90’), McDonald (Brockie 81’). Subs not used: Ombang (GK), Dudley, Firth.

Referee: Jamie O’Connor

Booked: Dawson, Gjoshe (Scunthorpe) Gray (Leeds)

Venue: Attis Arena

Attendance: 1,016 (145 away)

A Harry Gray hat-trick inspired Leeds United Under-21s to a superb 3-1 victory over Scunthorpe United in the National League Cup.

Having began the defence of the trophy with a defeat on the road at Boston United, the Whites went into this tie determined to bounce back and register their first points on the board.

Boss Scott Gardner made two changes to the side that faced Port Vale before the international break on Vertu Cup duties, welcoming goalkeeper Rory Mahady and experienced mentor Jonny Howson back into the starting lineup.

Backed by a vocal travelling contingent, Leeds began the encounter in Lincolnshire immediately on the front foot and went desperately close to taking the lead inside the opening few minutes.

A driving burst forward saw attacker Josh McDonald find the overlapping Jayden Lienou who in turn played an incisive low ball into the path of the onrushing Gray. Striking confidently, the in-form forward’s right-footed shot sailed past Rory Watson in the Iron net but cannoned off the foot of the woodwork and away from danger.

The lively Lienou then flashed a teasing delivery across the face of goal, inches away from the outstretched boot of Rhys Chadwick, stopping him from bundling home at the back post.

A first opportunity of the evening for the hosts came just before the 20-minute mark when Mark Beck flicked on a long, hopeful ball forward which Billy Chadwick set off in pursuit of, though the York City loanee skewed a speculative effort wide of Mahady’s upright.

Another header onwards from focal point Beck sent Carlton Ubaezuonu through until a superb recovering challenge from Reuben Lopata-White diverted a drilled strike behind. From the resulting corner, skipper Andrew Boyce then volleyed over from the edge of the area.

Just as the hosts were beginning to get a foothold into proceedings, Gardner’s side launched an electric break with McDonald threading an intricate pass in behind for Chadwick.

Marauding into the area and bearing down on goal, the midfielder selflessly opted to instead to square it to Gray, laying it on a plate for the strike to tap home!

Approaching the break and this time Gray looked to turn provider for Chadwick, picking out his teammate’s run, but this time a claret and blue shirt was able to make a timely block.

HALF TIME: Scunthorpe United 0-1 Leeds United U21

The teams emerged from the interval having both made changes. For the Whites, Harvey Vincent made a welcome return from injury to make his first appearance of the new campaign.

Just two minutes into the second period and Scunthorpe drew level courtesy of Ubaezuonu’s drilled free kick that arrowed into the top corner from 20 yards out.

Looking to restore the lead almost instantly, a whipped, dipping effort from midfielder Ollie Pickles had Watson scrambling across his goal but fortunately for the Iron stopper, the ball whistled agonisingly wide of the woodwork.

Having grown into an open-ended encounter, a rasping drive from Scunthorpe’s Chadwick then sailed into the stand from distance before Leeds broke at pace.

McDonald did brilliantly to wrestle back possession and release Gray who in turn found substitute Vincent, forcing a necessary intervention from Watson. The Whites recycled possession and a floated ball back into the middle was met by Alfie Cresswell but the captain couldn’t direct his header on target.

Gray was next to go close for the visitors, firing a powerful effort narrowly past the post from the edge of the area as the 16-year-old struck towards the top corner.

Andy Butler’s side hadn’t heeded the warning and moments later, the forward stepped up and curled a sublime free kick into the postage stamp to double his tally for the evening and put the visitors back in front!

Heading into the fixture’s closing stages and with the tie finely poised, player of the moment Gray sealed proceedings with another sublime effort.

Leading an electric counter, the forward drove at the heart of the Iron’s defence and his fierce drive proved too powerful for Watson, who could only get a hand on the ball as it arrowed into the back of the net!

The victory moves Gardner’s side on to three points from their opening two Group D matches in their defence of the National League Cup, ahead of next month’s trip to FC Halifax Town.

FULL TIME: Scunthorpe United 1-3 Leeds United U21