Tuesday night’s EFL Trophy game between Leeds United’s Under-21 side and Accrington Stanley’s League One outfit was a 7-0 massacre. Make neither bones nor excuses about it!
It was on a par with Custer’s 7th Cavalry being wiped out in the Battle of Little Big Horn. The British being ambushed and wiped out at Rorke’s Drift. The…you get the picture.It was to be expected when the bulk of the side were way under 21 and were captained by a 16-year-old. It was a 6th Form side up against seasoned pros.
There was only ever going to be one result and, unfortunately, United’s youngsters were on the shellacking end of it. A steady procession of goals saw them shellshocked and reeling and 5-0 down at half-time. To their credit, they only conceded twice in the second half.
🎥 The full post-match interview video with #asfc manager John Coleman is now available to watch on the club’s official YouTube channel.
➡️ https://t.co/e6AAtyjD89 pic.twitter.com/6E3hB2cMGo
— Accrington Stanley FC (@ASFCofficial) September 8, 2020
Kind words from Stanley boss Coleman there but Leeds United were hamstrung by two contrasting, yet linked pulls. First, they had to name SIX genuine Under-21 players due to the competition rules. Second, they only had a limited pool of players to pick from in order to preserve the integrity of the first-team bubble and players who are potentially training as a mirror to the first-team squad.
That being said, the young Whites will need to pick themselves up again and get on the bike as there are another two group games lest in this competition for them.