Due to recent upheaval, there has been very little in the way of match reports/LUFC news on this pages for a good few weeks. Rather than try to remember every single event that occurred since the Watford game, I’ll simply give a brief run-down of what’s happened…
August Transfer Window, Leeds sign Leigh Bromby from Sheffield United. Bromby, a lifelong Leeds fan, has signed a four year deal with the club, and will provide competition across the defence due to his versatility. Also signing is South African striker Davide Somma, who impressed after a trial at the club. Moving out of the club were Alan Sheehan on loan to Oldham Athletic and a couple of youngsters who were allowed to gain experience with lower league/non-league clubs.
Saturday 29 August…
Pandemonium in Braintree town centre as Leeds fans celebrate after the League Cup draw pairs Leeds with Liverpool. The tie takes place on 22nd September and is live on satellite TV. Leeds fans were in Braintree drinking before the game vs Colchester, which saw both sides‘ 100% go on the line…
Colchester United 1-2 Leeds United (Johnson, Beckford)
A drab first half which was notable for seeing whether each side would finish 11 v 11 after a pernickety official booked and reprimanded players for fun was quickly forgotten after Bradley Johnson headed home a free-kick in front of the away end. The Weston Homes Community Stadium has swapped the ends for home and away supporters this season, leading to fans’ confusion as they were trying to enter the wrong end of the ground with a couple of minutes spare before kick-off. Kevin Lisbie (who once scored a hat-trick v Liverpool way back when…) equalised from the spot after Rui Marques gave away a second penalty in as many away games (and received an earful off Patrick Kisnorbo). Beckford decided the match with a typical poacher’s goal, latching onto a poorly executed clearing header by former Leeds man Alan Maybury and prodding in.
Saturday 5 September…
Leeds given home tie in Johnstone Paints Trophy against Darlington. It will be the second time both clubs have met this season after the 1st round League Cup tie in August. It’s also the second time both clubs will have played each other in the JPT, Leeds have won each of the last two games by 1-0 scorelines. The game takes place on 6th October.
Leeds United 2-0 Stockport County (Grella, Michalik)
L’ubo Michalik celebrated his first start of the season by prodding home a loose ball to double the lead Mike Grella had given Leeds. Grella scored his first competitive goal for the club after eight minutes, curling the ball in from the edge of the penalty area, whilst Michalik was able to react earliest after the Stockport goalkeeper dropped a Johnson free-kick. Leeds should have trebled their lead in the second half, when Robert Snodgrass missed a penalty, hitting it too close to the Stockport ‘keeper Fon-Williams.
Friday 11 September…
Southend United 0-0 Leeds United
Leeds were indebted to a penalty save by Shane Higgs to preserve their unbeaten record. Never offering anything other than half-chances, the cagey game was set alight in the 66th aminute when Lee Barnard was pushed in the area by Leigh Bromby, but Higgs guessed right, dived left, and superbly saved the resultant spot-kick. Jermaine Beckford spurned two great chances, firstly allowing a ball to run away from him when presented with a chance on goal, and secondly firing directly at Shrimpers ‘keeper Mildenhall from point-blank range in the final five minutes. A point was a fair result although the highlight involved a minibus, alcohol, Meatloaf’s ‘Bat Out Of Hell’ album and a successful alcohol pit-stop after the game.
