Michael Skubala could certainly allow himself a smile or two on Friday night while watching his Leeds United U21s see off Southampton 6-2 at Elland Road. With the first-team clash at Old Trafford being postponed this weekend, a handful of senior players dropped down into the youth ranks for the clash and they cut loose against the Saints.
Patrick Bamford scored a hat-trick on the night as he picked up 75 minutes of much-needed game time, while Crysencio Summerville, club captain Liam Cooper and Sonny Perkins bagged during an eye-catching display in front of 10,639 supporters. The win not only consolidated the Whites' position at the top of the Premier League 2 Division 2 table, but it ensured Skubala extended his unbeaten start to life in charge of United’s U21s.
“First off very impressed,” a beaming Skubala said after the game. “We started the game very, very impressively. I thought we were electric, we were lively.
“We talked about racing to the first goal, going out quick, being lively. We knew Southampton are good, they're quick, they play with intensity as well and I was really impressed with the way we started the game.
“In the second half, it's always difficult when you’re 4-0 up, you've got to keep the intensity in the game and I thought at times we could have done a little bit better. But there was some great performances in there and some great minutes with players as well.”
Bamford took home the match ball on the night, bagging two goals in the first half and one in the second, while fans were watching the impressive Wilfried Gnonto closely, too, on his first appearance in West Yorkshire. However, the names of Summerville and Perkins were on the lips of Skubala after the game.
“Cry in possession, he's a wizard sometimes,” he added. “He's quick and he can open things up and he's a special player. So I thought he was pulling into possession tonight.
“I think Sonny grew into the game, as the game started to open up I thought Sonny had a really good second half and looked dangerous.”
He added: “It’s a good thing, getting some of the senior players some more minutes. Luke (Ayling) did well, Coops did well, Junior (Firpo), it's good to see Junior back playing. So managing the game to win it, managing the youngsters coming in and managing the minutes. I think job done.”
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