Seven missed penalties in terrible shootout between Crewe and Leeds U21s

There were seven missed penalties in what ended up playing out to be terrible shootout between Crewe and Leeds U21s on Tuesday night.

Th two sides saw their Papa John’s Trophy match go to penalties, only for seven of the spot kicks to be missed or saved and some of which is dramatic bizarre fashion.

It was Crewe who went on to win the shootout 2-1 to claim a bonus point having played out a 0-0 draw in the initial 90 minutes.

𝗦𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡…yes, 𝗦𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡 missed penalties in Crewe and Leeds U21s Papa John Trophy penalty shootout 😬🤦‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/ez7CADhHA1

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) November 1, 2022

Crewe: Richards (GK), Mellor, Adebisi, Griffiths, Finney (Agyei 60’), Brook (Lunt 71’), Leshabela, Sambou, Sass-Davies, Finney, Holicek (Uwakwe 54’). Subs not used: Okonkwo (GK), Thomas, King, Billington.

Leeds: Christy (GK), Drameh, Hjelde, Moore (Spencer 62’), Firpo, Klich, Gyabi, Gnonto (Allen 62’), Gelhardt (Snowdon 62’), Perkins, Joseph. Subs not used: Ombang (GK), Miller, McGurk, Debayo.

Venue: Mornflake Stadium

Referee: B. Toner

Booked: Griffiths (Crewe)

Coming into the match, Leeds’ Michael Skubala knew his side would progress into the Papa John’s Trophy knock-out stages with a win – whilst also knowing a score-draw and subsequent win on penalties could be enough to overcome second placed Tranmere.

When this Northern Group B game got underway, the first half was without incident for the first 20 minutes or so with a slow start to the match mainly influenced by the home side keeping players behind the ball.

Despite plenty of possession and pushing players forward, the Whites couldn’t produce any chances as such. Set-play opportunities arrived and soon went, as the hosts cleared the danger when it was presented to them.

The first effort on goal came from Leo Hjelde, playing in central defence, he was up for a corner and got a header onto the ball which went just wide of the post. Shortly after, good feet from Sonny Perkins saw him break into the box and force Dave Richards into a good save at his near post.

Richards was called into action again moments later, as Leeds were well on top and looking to break the deadlock which could take them through into the knock-out stages.

It was Darko Gyabi who attempted to score this time, putting in a superb curling ball towards the top corner, but he saw the goalkeeper tip his strike onto the bar and then behind.

Perkins and Gyabi had further efforts before the interval but neither caused any real danger with the half time whistle sounding for the break shortly after meaning the teams went in level, with the game in the balance for the second period.

Neither side made a change at the break as they came out trying to get that opening goal in the second half, and there was no early change to the scoreline.

Perkins had the best effort – when his shot was deflected, Richards there again producing a stunning save. The keeper was made to work again shortly after, stopping well from Junior Firpo’s long range strike.

A flurry of changes came for both sides around the 60th minute. Charlie Allen, Joe Snowdon and Morten Spencer came on.

Coming close and adding his name to the list of Leeds players who had been denied by Richards in the Crewe net, Mateo Joseph worked an opening but saw a shot saved. Then, fresh from the bench, Allen dragged an effort just wide of the post.

A number of missed chances later and good stops from the Crewe keeper was enough for the game to end level, leading to a penalty shoot-out.

It would matter little to either side, as the goalless draw meant both teams were exiting the competition anyway – the Whites going out on ‘goals scored’ against Tranmere, whilst Crewe had been knocked out before this game got underway.

The penalties saw the goalkeepers come out on top, then again some of the spot kicks were badly taken. Only three were converted, two for Crewe and just the one from five attempts for Leeds.

The winning spot-kick was scored by Regan Griffiths for the hosts which meaning they added the bonus point to the one claimed from the game itself.

🎥 “𝘞𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘢 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘜𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳-21 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘯.”

Alex Morris’ take on tonight’s penalty shootout victory 👇#CreweAlex pic.twitter.com/GILR5TGtkh

— Crewe Alexandra (@crewealexfc) November 1, 2022

Fans gave their reaction to the seven missed penalties in what was a terrible shootout between Crewe and Leeds U21s…

@jamiefletcher88: 😂😂😂 absolutely shocking

@Ste30orange: How some of these are professional footballers is beyond me

@jpmacca91: Oh wow 😂😂😂

@waynehough13: I was at this game this evening, the game itself was just as bad 😂

@LeoDensian: How far off the line was the keeper for Gyabi’s penalty?? What was the lino looking at??

@LocoTharo: This is the worst penalty shoot out 😂

@RoderickEasdale: Some of these penalties are impressively awful…

@Michael_TSB: Worth a watch. Some awful penalties, with the final one saved by a keeper who was way off his line. Good job the linesman was keeping a close eye on it.

@Trappsradio: Didn’t realise goalkeepers could come out to close down the penalty taker ! That crewe keeper is on the 6 yard line almost! What’s the official’s doing @EFL ? Still fucking @LUFC over after all these years #lufc

@iphilc31: All them stepping up like they Mara fuckin Dona 😡🤷‍♂️😂 #lufc

@Callun_12: Possibly the worst penalty shootout you’ll see. Absolute state of them

@kieranstead95: Professional footballers should never miss the target from a penalty so many bad kicks here 😬

@UnitedLeeds_1: Tell me now the keeper is allowed off his line for the 2 saves it’s farcical

@samsamsamsam92: Keeper was nearly on the half way line for that last pen, what on earth was that assistant ref looking at?

@OLSTFC: Keepers off his line for winning save , clearly 😂

@RandomWordFox: In his defence, if I was running the line for a rainy U21 match in Crewe, I would have let that go as well… And I’m a Leeds fan.

@taycod_: what an earth is this officiating, keepers off his line every time? stevie wonder could do a better job than that lino

@matteohib94: Keepers off his line an absolute fucking mile for gyabi’s penalty not that it mattered in terms of qualifying #lufc

@MattyBray007: Nobody wants to progress in this clearly lol 😂 you go through! No, you go through! 😂😂😂

@Iainchopper: Linesman having a nightmare….

👀 pic.twitter.com/XaOT2n4ZNV

— Adrian Prince (@aidyprince) November 2, 2022