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No need to panic when such a young side has a bad day, but this was definitely a bad day.
Leeds United u21s were beaten 3-0 at Blackpool as they were unceremoniously eliminated from the EFL Trophy. Goals from Dan Kemp and Ethan Robson either side of a Cody Drameh own-goal giving the hosts a comfortable win.
Blackpool took and early lead through Dan Kemp. Bez Lubala went down the left and Nohan Kenneh and Cody Drameh both missed their tackle, he produced a great outside of the foot ball to find Kemp who had the freedom of the penalty area.
#mildrant I know its only the u21s and they're playing against experienced players but this is so frustrating to watch, were just not stringing any decent passes together when I know for a fact that we can play much better than this #lufc
— Danny ⚽️ Osborne (@Kingdanny30) November 11, 2020
It was 2-0 soon after, Kemp swung in a corner and it was flicked on by Jordan Thorniley, the flick on went straight at Cody Drameh who diverted it into his own net.
Leeds improved after 30 minutes having been very poor since the start as Sam Greenwood and Joe Gelhardt both had efforts on goal. Blackpool still looked dangerous and had Carlie Cresswell to thank for a couple of big defensive moments, before Jerry Yates had a big chance saved by Kiko Casilla following a long clearance from Jack Sims in the Blackpool goal.
Leeds made all their changes at half-time, and may have made more if allowed, Stuart McKinstry, Jack Jenkins, and Niall Huggins replacing Oliver Casey, Ian Poveda, and Leif Davis.
Blackpool had the first chance of the second half when Grant Ward volleyed over from a James Husband cross. Then Labala put Dan Kemp through on goal but it was saved well by Casilla, before Labaal had a shot over the bar after good skill to get into the box.
Leeds weren’t creating anything but had the best chance of the match on the hour mark. Leeds pressed well and Crysencio Summerville won possession from Jordan Thorniley and got the ball to Joe Gelhardt, he was clean through but his finish was poor allowing Sims to make a good save.
The game settled into a pattern of no real chances for a while until the 78th minute when Cameron Antwi was sent off for Blackpool for a second yellow card following a late lunge on Summerville.
The 10 men were the ones to score the third goal though. Keshi Anderson picked the ball up after a corner and played it back to Ethan Robson on the edge of the box, he cut inside and curled in a wonderful strike in off the far post.
81’ 3-0. Great strike from Ethan Robson. Casilla a spectator as he whips a left footed strike in off the post from outside the box. Game over. #UTMP 3-0 #LUFC U21
— LUFC Academy Central (@LUFCacademynews) November 11, 2020
Leeds were second best throughout and it was a deserved result.