Leeds United’s latest academy star was the standout player once again.
Harry Gray’s outstanding start to the season continued with a hat-trick on Tuesday night as Leeds United Under-21s beat Scunthorpe United 3-1 in the National League Cup.
As inaugural winners of the competition last season, Leeds kicked off their title defence with defeat at Boston United but bounced back quickly to get three points on the board, with Gray to thank. The 16-year-old scored all three of his side’s goals, twice putting the Whites ahead at 1-0 and 2-1 before ending the contest with a brilliant finish to make it three.
Gray’s 33rd-minute opener was among the more simple finishes of his young career, with the teenager tapping in from a few yards after being found in the box by Rhys Chadwick. Leeds’ young sensation then whipped in a wicked free-kick from a tight angle to make it 2-1 midway through the second-half.
But Gray left his best effort until last, breaking forward as Scunthorpe pushed for a late equaliser before arrowing a right-footed effort beyond the goalkeeper's grasp from 20 yards. Victory got Scott Gardner’s side off the mark in terms of points ahead of their next National League Cup trip to Halifax Town in October.
“I’m happy with the three goals, but I should have had more to be fair,” Gray said after claiming the match ball. “Two chances I missed, so I can always improve. It was good to have different types of goals you can score too, it makes your game unpredictable, so yeah, it was important to score, but goals are goals at the end of the day, I don't care how I score them as long as we win.
“That was definitely important tonight [winning], because we've had some decent performances against professional first teams and had nothing really to show for it. So today we played well and we got a result from it, which is great for everyone. Now we just need to keep working hard as always and enjoying the games, being confident and feeling good.”
Harry Gray sends message to Daniel Farke with lightning Leeds United start
Gray was undoubtedly the star for Leeds on Tuesday night but another 16-year-old got his reward for a fine start to the campaign, with Logan White making his Under-21s debut off the bench late on. The winger has three goals and an assist in four games for the Under-18s and is deserving of the promotion.
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With a lack of goals being the major concern for Daniel Farke’s Leeds team so far this season, Gray’s start to the season is even more interesting. The teenager has now scored seven goals in just six games across all competitions, with a further two assists to boot, and Tuesday’s hat-trick came against senior opposition - albeit in non-league.
After providing more first-team opportunities over pre-season, Farke has been conscious not too give Gray too much attention in the media, pointing to the fact he is still just 16 and has plenty of room to improve. But the teenager might hope to build on his senior debut against Stoke City last season and is doing his best to get noticed.
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