Cockney White
Boobmeister
Joined: 09 May 2007
Posts: 3277
Location: So far from Leeds it's not funny..
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 Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 10:10 am Post subject: Darlington v Leeds United |
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From Yorkshire Post:
THE turmoil Leeds United have found themselves embroiled in this summer was perhaps best illustrated last night by the starting line-up for their latest pre-season friendly at Darlington.
Injuries to Frazer Richardson, Eddie Lewis and trialist Leon Constantine coupled with Dennis Wise opting to rest Jonathan Douglas and David Prutton due to the midfield pair missing the opening day trip to Tranmere Rovers through suspension, meant it was a very different looking United that took to the field and went on to claim a 1-0 win.
Not only were Leeds sporting shirts without a sponsor on the front – a rare enough sight on its own in the modern game – due to the club having to wait to unveil their new deal, but the side that ran out included just six players contracted to the Elland Road club.
Two of those, Ben Parker and Scott Gardner, are yet to start a competitive first-team game, while only Jermaine Beckford of last night's starting line-up had been in the team that romped to a 4-2 friendly victory at Darlington 12 months ago.
Despite the nightmare summer Leeds have endured, 1,467 fans made their way up to the A1 to support the team. And to a man, woman and child, they must have been glad to see the reassuring figure of Alan Thompson patrolling midfield.
The former England international came the closest to breaking the deadlock in an entertaining opening 45 minutes, floating a free-kick for Tresor Kandol to head over the goalkeeper.
The former Barnet striker had scored United's only goal in the five pre-season games previous to last night, but he failed to double his tally as Tim Ryan raced back to clear. Six minutes later, Thompson came within a whisker of scoring himself with a curled free kick.
Elsewhere, however, the signs were not so encouraging with the United defence looking susceptible to balls played through the middle. Tommy Wright spurned several chances as Leeds, who expect to complete the sale of Richard Cresswell to Hull today, had to withstand fierce pressure from Dave Penney's side.
Despite that, it was United who went on to claim the win thanks to Beckford's cool finish from Jonny Howson's well-judged pass.
That, inevitably, led to the Leeds fans in the 3,270 crowd chanting 'we're gonna win the league'.
They will, however, be under no illusions as to just how important it is that the current deadlock with the Football League League over the so-called 'golden share' is broken to allow Dennis Wise to finally begin his rebuilding job.
Leeds United: Loach; Gardner, Rui Marques, Heath, Parker; Weston, Howson, Thompson (Delph 79), Carole (Baily 84); Kandol, Beckford. Unused substitutes: Elliott, Hamman, Madden.
Article here |
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