National League Cup Quarter-Final
Aldershot Town 1 (Corbett 31’)
Leeds United U21 3 (Chadwick 56’, 71’; Pickles 59’)
Aldershot: van Stappershoef (GK), Jenkins, Frost (C) (Nditi 81’), Corbett, R Jones (Lewis-Evans 82’), Anderson, Bray (Barham 73’), Mullins, Henry (Hargreaves 73’), Maja, Ellison. Subs not used: Dewhurst (GK), A Jones, Stanley.
Leeds: Mahady (GK), Lane (Vincent 58’), Ferguson, Monteiro, Lopata-White, Moore, McDonald (Morris 90’), McFadden, Douglas, Chadwick (C), Pickles (Nfonkeu 81’). Subs not used: Ombang (GK), Hamilton, Firth.
Venue: The EBB Stadium
Referee: Harry Wager
Booked: Maja, Hargreaves (Aldershot)
Attendance: 851
Leeds United Under-21s booked their spot in the National League Cup semi-final with a stunning comeback victory over Aldershot Town.
Behind at the break, a double from Rhys Chadwick and a powerful volley from Oliver Pickles capped an inspired second-half showing at the EBB Stadium to see the Whites progress!
The hosts had impressed in recent weeks in the Vanarama National League and started brightly on a chilly Hampshire evening, with Freddie Lane required for the Whites to head a dangerous Tyler Frost delivery away from danger.
Scott Gardner’s side themselves enjoyed a lot of the ball in the game’s infancy, however; clever play between skipper Chadwick and Max McFadden saw the latter arrow a drilled effort narrowly past the upright from distance in the only real chance of note inside 20 minutes.
That was until a low cross from the right landed the way of Shots’ forward Kai Corbett in space, though the striker’s touch was a poor one that allowed Reuben Lopata-White to hack clear.
Corbett was again involved approaching the half-hour mark, linking up with James Henry before forcing a low save from Rory Mahady, with the young Scot scampering across to his right to gather the effort.
Jordi van Stappershoef was next to be called into action down the other end. A lightning break from United saw Lane slide Connor Douglas through on goal, with the hosts’ stopper making a superb intervention with an outstretched boot to keep the scores level.
Tommy Widdrington’s side would reap the rewards almost immediately, when Corbett profited on a mistake at the back to bundle home an opener.
The attacker almost grabbed a second in quick succession, denied by the foot of the post as he tried to curl one from a narrow angle into the far corner, with Emmanuel Maja unable to follow up on the rebound.
HALF TIME: Aldershot Town 1-0 Leeds United U21
Unchanged at the break, the Whites emerged for the second 45 minutes intent on restoring parity, pressing high up the field and breaking quickly whenever the opportunity arose.
Josh McDonald was first to do just that, twisting and turning his way into the area before his low cross deflected kindly into the path of Luke Jenkins to glance away.
The winger was again a threat from the left flank shortly afterwards. A blue and red shirt prevented Lane from tapping in McDonald’s cross at the back post, before Chadwick was unable to guide a half-volleyed rebound on target.
The pressure finally told and it would be the captain who fired his side level. The dangerous McDonald had marauded into the opposition territory and drew a fine save from van Stappershoef initially, but Chadwick was on hand to fire in as the ball trickled across the face of goal!
In what had been a hectic few minutes at the EBB Stadium, momentum truly shifted when Pickles lashed a thunderous volley beyond the Aldershot keeper to hand Leeds the advantage.
Douglas was at the heart of the action this time, crossing low which caused the hosts all sorts of issues. McDonald and Chadwick had attempts charged down, but there was no stopping Pickles who crashed in an emphatic strike, cueing great scenes amongst the vocal travelling contingent!
Two almost became three after yet another scintillating move though substitute Harvey Vincent, under pressure, was unable to find the back of the net after a clever cut back from Connor Ferguson.
The third did come and it was Chadwick again well placed in the middle, showing great composure to place a low shot beyond van Stappershoef and into the bottom corner. Whatever the half-time memo was from Gardner, the players had understood it!
The hosts, rocked by the whirlwind turnaround, finally began to find their feet in the dying minutes and went close through Corbett, but Gardner’s side held on to see out a sensational comeback and book a spot in the semi-final!
FULL TIME: Aldershot Town 1-3 Leeds United U21
