National League Cup
Tamworth 1 (Dyson 43’)
Leeds United U21 0
Tamworth: MacAulay (GK), Lyttle, Kurtaran, Acquaye, Dyson (Jasper 80’), Cullinane-Liburd (C), Hutchinson (Wyse 88’), Agina (Nyakuhwa 66’), Hollis, Kelly, Carson (Calder 66’). Subs not used: Lovett (GK), Parkes, Edge.
Leeds: Cook (GK), Philpott, Howson (White 46’), Enahoro-Marcus (Matykiewicz 56’), Egan-Riley, Vincent, Pickles (C), Alker, Whitehead, Render, Thompson (Mensah 83’). Subs not used: Ombang (GK).
Venue: The Lamb Ground | Attendance: 450 | Referee: Stuart Morland | Booked: Kurtaran, Agina (Tamworth)
Leeds United Under-21s fell to a narrow defeat against Tamworth in the penultimate Group C National League Cup fixture, despite a spirited performance.
Scott Gardner joined Tamworth boss Andy Peaks in naming a shuffled starting XI from the last respective fixtures, in which the Whites ran out memorable 4-3 victors over League One outfit Barnsley.
Following a quiet opening 17 minutes where neither side were able to carve out a meaningful chance, the hosts managed to produce the first.
Jake Hutchinson was first to a deflected effort which he struck powerfully, but Robbie Cook was equal to it and parried. The Tamworth forward met the rebound, volleying into the ground but only hitting the side netting.
Seeking to threaten the Whites’ goal once again, Hutchinson then picked up a loose ball 30 yards from goal before deciding to unleash, his strike always rising over the bar.
Following Tamworth’s surge in openings, Leeds responded through Louis Philpott, who broke down the left flank with purpose, but his strike was high and wide.
Now beginning to grow into the game, Ollie Pickles, Aiden Thompson and Harvey Vincent exchanged a handful of incredibly slick passes to free the latter down the right flank, but his driven cross was well-dealt with by the defence.
With five minutes to play of the first period, the clash opened up even more. The hosts broke down the left flank through Ben Acquaye, but his smart cross was well dealt with by Philpott.
Sam Alker then skipped past a couple of challenges before rolling the ball out to Vincent, with the Whites number 7 driving towards goal and forcing some impressive defending to nullify the chance.
However, with two minutes to play, Tamworth found the opener through Oliver Dyson, who volleyed into the top corner from range.
Moments after the hosts came forward again and struck the side netting, the referee blew his whistle to signal the break.
HALF TIME: Tamworth 1-0 Leeds United U21
The Whites almost found an instant leveller as the second half got underway.
A clever ball from Pickles down the left freed Alker who crossed low into the area. Vincent picked up possession and, trying to work a shot, forced the ball into the path of Jacob Render, his strike beating the ‘keeper but not Haydn Hollis on the line who cleared crucially.
As the half progressed, Leeds continued to grow into the game. Pickles again driving into the box and forcing a defensive interception and clearance under pressure.
Vincent again took aim shortly after, finding room for a shot on the right but dragging his effort agonisingly wide of the far post.
As Tamworth sought to extend their advantage, Teo Kurtaran sprayed a great pass into the feet of Hutchinson, but the ball got away from the forward and his strike lacked the power to trouble Cook.
Despite Leeds pushing forward hard, another golden opportunity fell to the hosts. Substitute Riccardo Calder met a corner on the floor at the far post, shooting powerfully on target but Cook got down quickly to make an exceptional reflex save.
The Whites’ stopper was called upon again as the clock ticked into the final 10 minutes, making a smart stop at his near post to prevent Acquaye’s mazy run turning profitable.
However, despite a late push from Gardner’s side, Leeds weren’t able to find a leveller and the hosts collected all three points.
FULL TIME: Tamworth 1-0 Leeds United U21
