Leeds United star breaks EFL record in seven-goal thriller vs League One side
Leeds United Under-21s kicked off their 2026/27 EFL Trophy campaign in thrilling fashion.
Callum Mills became the EFL Trophy’s youngest ever hat-trick scorer in Leeds United’s 4-3 win over League One Barnsley on Tuesday night.
The young Whites kicked off their cup campaign in thrilling fashion, building up a brilliant 4-0 lead before holding off a late Barnsley comeback at Oakwell. Mills’ three-goal haul was added to by a Josh McDonald header before home goals in minutes 79, 84 and 86.
Under-21s boss Scott Gardner was able to name a strong side despite being without a handful of young internationals, with the likes of Rory Mahady, Rhys Chadwick and Alfie Cresswell all starting. Ollie Pickles captained the side with hat-trick hero Mills out wide.
Mills had McDonald to thank for his opening goal after some brilliant work down the left before feeding the 18-year-old to fire home via a deflection. Leeds were dominant throughout the first-half and grabbed a deserved second on 40 minutes when Harvey Vincent crossed for a Mills tap-in.
Leeds had a third before the break, Vincent again bursting forward before finding McDonald to head home. The young Whites then defended well before Mills grabbed his hat-trick in the 70th minute on the counter-attack, rounding the goalkeeper in composed fashion before rolling into the net.
Late goals from Jack Shepherd, Armani Richards and Luca Connell threatened to put a serious dampener on Leeds’ performance but they held on to enjoy a massive victory against senior opposition. And according to Opta’s Jonny Cooper on X, Mills became the EFL Trophy’s youngest ever hat-trick hero at 18 years and 3 days old.
“A great feeling,” the record-breaking teenager said after his side successfully held onto their lead. “Three goals and getting my name out there, especially in a competition like this, it is good.
“I hadn’t scored this season so it is a good way to start it off and hopefully keep going. I should have had that one [earlier] but I made up for it with three!
“It was a lot more physical, the game, compared to what we are used to in the U21s but it is good to play these games so you are used to proper men’s football. We just need to keep going and not get complacent against teams.”
A fourth Barnsley goal would have been a hammer blow for Leeds, who were electric for 70 minutes, but they showed spirit to keep themselves ahead. Next up in the EFL Trophy is a trip over the Pennines to face League Two outfit Oldham Athletic.
“Really proud of the lads,” boss Gardner added. “I said to them at the start of the season, I felt like we were getting a special group together and they have showcased it.
“I am just a bit disappointed we couldn’t have gone a little bit further with the scoreline, to be honest. If we would have scored maybe another three in the first half, I don’t think that would have flattered us.
“We knew that they would change stuff in the second half and we are disappointed to concede the three goals at the end. But actually as a learning experience, that is massive for them.
“I was disappointed for them because I think it could have been a real statement. For 75 minutes we were outstanding.”