'We can't recreate that' - Boss speaks out as Leeds United U21s gain senior experience in EFL Trophy defeat
Leeds United Under-21s produced a spirited performance at Oldham Athletic but ultimately fell to defeat.
Leeds United Under-21s lost their second EFL Trophy game of the season 4-2 at Oldham Athletic on Tuesday night despite a spirited performance.
Callum Mills and Carrick Njinko were on target for the young Whites who came from 1-0 down to lead 2-1 early in the second-half. But the physicality of League Two Oldham eventually showed with a trio of goals inside 15 minutes shortly after they fell behind.
Scott Gardner was able to name a strong side at Boundary Park with the likes of Rory Mahady, Jayden Lienou, Alfie Cresswell and Rhys Chadwick starting. Both sides exchanged early blows before Noah Chilvers made it 1-0 Oldham with a 27th minute penalty.
But Leeds responded quickly, Mills following up a hat-trick in the 4-3 win over Barnsley in the previous round of the competition with a flicked header of Harvey Vincent’s cross. Gardner introduced Njinko at the break and the striker made a telling impact instantly.
Mills fed the in-form striker who was able to spin away from the Oldham defender and finish beyond Oldham goalkeeper Aston Wilson. But that goal rallied the home side with goals from Kane Drummond, Josh Hawkes and Kai Payne all coming by the 68th minute.
“There were a lot of individual actions where we don’t get that type of test in Under-21s football,” boss Gardner told BBC Radio Leeds. “A massive learning opportunity for us with the physicality, the aggression and dealing with moments where they maybe got on top a little bit.
“That was probably the most disappointing thing for us, that we maybe changed our way of playing in the second half when they had a little bit of pressure. But that is why we are in this competition, it’s why we want to have these games. We can’t recreate that.
“They have to learn and build. They will get loads from that experience tonight and we can review with them.”
Defeat on Tuesday leaves Leeds third in Northern Group G of the EFL trophy with only one game left and two of the four teams qualifying for the knockout stages. Gardner’s side face second-place Fleetwood Town in their final fixture and need a win to overtake them.