Young forward Leon Ayinde scored his first senior goal as his loan club Rochdale beat Stoke’s U21s 2-0 in the National League Cup at Spotland.

The 20-year-old Irishman moved to Dale in September but injury saw him miss two months of action before returning to action in mid-December.

Having extended his spell to the end of the season a fortnight ago, Ayinde made only his fifth start for Dale and scored their opening goal from close range in the 14th minute of this evening’s tie. The Lancastrians went on to win 2-0, despite being reduced to 10 men with 33 minutes left on the clock.

Former Republic of Ireland U17 call-up Ayinde joined Town from Cork City in January 2023 and featured for the Town first team in pre-season in 2023 and 2024.

Photo: Reuters

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