Leeds United star lasts 90 minutes in Under 21s Southampton rout as trio's minutes are managed - YEP 16/9/22
Leeds United captain Liam Cooper lasted 90 minutes in the Under 21s’ 6-2 rout of Southampton, as a fellow trio of seniors came through managed appearances unscathed.
By Graham Smyth
Patrick Bamford and Junior Firpo came off after 75 minutes,
the former having helped himself to a hat-trick, while deadline day signing
Willy Gnonto was replaced on 80 minutes along with Luke Ayling.
For Bamford it was his longest run-out since the opening day
of the season victory over Wolves and Ayling followed up his 20-minute
Brentford cameo with a solid showing at right-back.
Cooper, though, was able to last the course and steered a
young side through to the finish in front of a 10,639-strong crowd at Elland
Road.
Leeds and Bamford had already seen one goal chalked off
before the striker’s fourth minute opener. Crysencio Summerville was played in
on the right, cut the ball back and Bamford provided a sweet finish.
It was Bamford’s run that opened up space for Summerville to
dart into the area and slide home goal number two on 17 minutes and the pair
were involved in the third, too. Summerville took a pass from the impressive
Darko Gyabi, cut into the box and drew a foul, allowing Bamford to make it 3-0
from the spot.
Leeds wrapped up the game as a contest before half-time,
Cooper rising to nod an Archie Gray corner over goalkeeper Matt Hall for a
four-goal interval lead.
The fifth arrived eight minutes after the break, Summerville
winning the ball back in midfield, racing upfield and teeing up Bamford for his
hat-trick.
Three minutes after that it threatened to get seriously ugly
for the visitors, Sonny Perkins showing his strength to ride and hold off
challenges before curling the ball low and hard inside the right-hand post for
a 6-0 lead.
Saints, though, added a measure of respectability to the
scoreline with two goals in the closing stages, Dom Ballard taking advantage of
Leo Hjelde allowing himself to be caught out on halfway, before Sam Bellis’
belting finish completed the scoring.
