Daniel Farke Will Have Noticed This: Leeds United Youngster Makes History With Stunning Barnsley Hat-Trick

Leeds United youngster Callum Mills has given Daniel Farke another reason to keep a close eye on the club’s academy after producing a brilliant display against Barnsley.

The 18-year-old attacker scored a hat-trick as Leeds United Under-21s defeated League One side Barnsley 4-3 in the EFL Trophy at Oakwell on Tuesday night. It was a result that looked comfortable for most of the match, before a late Barnsley fightback made the final few minutes far more difficult than Leeds would have wanted.

Mills was the main star of the night, scoring three times and taking home the match ball. His goals came in the 19th, 41st and 70th minutes, while Josh McDonald also found the net as Scott Gardner’s young side built a four-goal advantage.

The result means the Leeds U21s have now made a strong start to the campaign, while Mills has suddenly put himself into the spotlight after making history in the competition.

The young midfielder became the youngest player ever to score a hat-trick in the Football League Trophy, doing so at just 18 years and three days old. That record gives the performance an extra level of importance for a player who had not scored a goal this season before travelling to Oakwell.

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Callum Mills puts his name into Leeds United history

Mills did not simply score three goals and disappear from the game. He was involved throughout the evening and showed why there is growing excitement around his development at Thorp Arch.

The teenager had chances before opening the scoring and could even have finished the game with four goals. His first goal came after Josh McDonald found him in a good position, with Mills driving inside before firing a powerful effort beyond the Barnsley goalkeeper.

His second goal arrived shortly before half-time, with Harvey Vincent providing the delivery and Mills being in the right place to finish from close range.

McDonald then made it 3-0 soon after the break before Mills completed his hat-trick in the second half. The Leeds youngster drove into the box, sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and calmly rolled the ball into the net.

The numbers behind his performance also show how much he contributed. Mills recorded a 9.7 FotMob rating, had 37 touches, won four ground duels, made two tackles and produced two clearances.

Most importantly, his three goals have now entered Leeds United history because of the age record attached to them.

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Callum Mills vs Barnsley: full match details

The official Leeds report confirms that the Whites controlled the game for long periods and were four goals ahead before Barnsley scored three times late on. Around 1,590 people attended the match, including 375 travelling Leeds supporters.

For any Leeds fan following the academy, it was therefore an evening worth remembering.

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Farke could now have another youngster to watch

The timing of Mills’ performance is also interesting for Leeds United.

Daniel Farke recently spoke about using the international break as an opportunity to give more attention to some of the younger players when possible. Mills could hardly have chosen a better moment to produce a performance that would get people talking.

Of course, one big game does not automatically mean a first-team opportunity is coming. The youngster still has plenty of development ahead of him and Leeds will want to make sure he continues playing regularly and improving.

However, scoring a hat-trick against a League One team is a useful experience, especially when the opposition includes players who are already playing senior football every week.

Mills himself understands that point.

After the game, the youngster spoke about the physical difference between academy football and facing senior opposition. He said the experience was good because it helps him become more comfortable with what he called “proper men’s football”. He also admitted that he wants to keep pushing and hopes he can score another three goals in his next game.

That attitude will please Gardner and everyone working with him.

The U21 boss was also very happy with the performance, despite being disappointed by the late collapse. Gardner said his side had been outstanding for 75 minutes and described the group as a “special” one. He also believes these types of games are important because development is the priority for his young players.

That could be particularly important for Mills.

The next Leeds United next game for the U21s in this competition will be against Oldham Athletic, giving Mills another chance to show that the Barnsley performance was not simply a one-off. For the next Leeds supporters watching the academy, there will now be plenty of interest in whether he can continue producing goals Leeds fans can talk about.

The senior side remains the main focus, but performances like this can change the conversation around academy players very quickly.

For now, Mills has his match ball, a record in Leeds United history and three goals to his name for the new campaign.

And with the Leeds football top level now demanding quality from every part of the club, the teenager has certainly made sure his name is being noticed.

The Barnsley game also showed something else. Leeds United away support travelled in good numbers, with nearly 400 supporters making the trip, and they saw one of the club’s young talents deliver a memorable performance.

If Mills can build on this night, his development could become an interesting story to follow when the first-team picture develops further.

The Leeds football ground, Elland Road, may still be some distance away for the youngster in terms of regular senior football, but this was exactly the type of performance that gets academy players closer to that dream.

For now, the goals Leeds supporters will remember are the three that made Mills the youngest hat-trick scorer in the history of the Football League Trophy.

The next challenge is to do it again.

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