Tranmere hosted Leeds United U21s yesterday evening for a 7pm kick-off in the EFL Trophy.
Ahead of the match, Leeds U21s manager, Michael Skubala, said, “It will be a really tough test. It’s a different kind of test because it’s the Papa John’s Trophy and Tranmere are a league club.
“We’re looking forward to it, the young lads are looking forward to the challenge. We’re in a good place, the group is in a good place, so hopefully we can put on a good show.”
Match Report: Tranmere Rovers v Leeds United U21
| Tranmere Rovers 3 |  v  | 5 Leeds United U21 |
| Lewis (12′) Hughes (19′) Byrne (45’+3) | Goals | Perkins (26′) Gelhardt (28′, 31′) Mateo Fernandez (56′) Drameh (64′) |
| Assists | ||
| HT 3-3 |
Three goals from Tranmere weren’t enough as Leeds U21s fired five back to claim victory in the EFL Trophy at Prenton Park last night.
Paul Lewis opened the scoring at 12 minutes following a clever turn on the right wing before crossing a curler in that fortuitously bounced in off the inside of the far post.
Before 20 minutes were on the clock, Rhys Huges doubled Rovers’ lead with a left-footed shot from the right finding its way into the far corner, giving Leeds keeper, Kristoffer Klaesson, no chance.
Leeds drew level when Sonny Perkins rescued a rebound and placed it in the top corner of the Tranmere net and just moments later, Geldhardt rifled a shot in the top right corner leaving Hewlett with no chance.
Leeds took the lead when Gelhardt broke the offside trap and found the back of Tranmere’s net for the second time in three minutes.
During added time at the end of the first half, Tranmere drew level through a Neill Byrne header, leaving the score at 3-3 as the half time whistle blew.
Leeds and Tranmere came out for the second half with equal determination, but the the visiting youngsters outclassed Rovers.
A goal from Matteus Fernandez followed by another ten minutes later from Drameh secured victory for Leeds.
Tranmere’s next game of the League Two season is away to Sutton United on Saturday 8 October.
Match Highlights
Post Match Interview
League Table
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Line-ups
Tranmere Rovers – Formation 4-4-2
23 Mateusz Hewelt GK
17 Rhys Hughes DF
6 Chris Merrie DF
19 Neill Byrne DF
18 Kyle Jameson DF
4 Lee O’Connor (C) MF
16 Jon Nolan MF
8 Reece McAlear MF
22 Paul Lewis MF
20 Elliott Nevitt FW
27 Jake Burton FW
Substitutes
13 Joe Murphy SUB
3 Ethan Bristow SUB
15 Ben Hockenhull SUB
26 Dynel Simeu SUB
30 Arthur Lomax SUB
10 Kane Hemmings SUB
32 Samuel Taylor SUB
Manager
Micky Mellon
Match Officials
Referee: Martin Woods
Assistants: Oliver Bickle and Billy Smallwood
Fourth official: Shaun Taylor
Leeds United U21 – Formation 4-3-3
13 Kristoffer Klaesson GK
37 Cody Drameh DF
60 Harvey Suttcliffe DF
52 Kris Moore DF
58 Morten Spencer DF
42 Sam Greenwood MF
18 Darko Gyabi MF
29 Degnand Wilfried Gnonto MF
49 Mateo Fernández (C) FW
16 Sonny Perkins FW
30 Joe Gelhardt FW
Substitutes
55 Harry Christy SUB
56 James Debayo SUB
51 Charlie Allen SUB
38 Alfie McCalmont SUB
32 Sean McGurk SUB
27 Amari Miller SUB
57 Joseph Snowdon SUB
Manager
Michael Skubala
Attendance: 816
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