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Match Report – Leeds United by Jon Tosh
Late Leeds Comeback Checks Blues Survival Hopes
A packed Roots Hall witnessed an electric game between Leeds and Southend, both looking for the three points that would go a long way towards Championship status next season.
Turning onto Shakespeare Drive I wasn’t sure what to expect, I have been both looking forward and dreading this game for weeks. Now the day was here it seemed that many shared my mixed emotions. A tense crowd filled RH and although a few lads tried to get songs going, I was more busy biting my nails and watching our shooting practice. An almost capacity crowd created one of the best KO atmospheres I have heard at a Saturday match this seasons as the teams came out, and soon my nerves were transformed into anticipation, as like many I shared the belief that on our day Leeds should be no problem to overcome.
Leeds started brightly, not letting Southend into their stride as they looked to make use of their superior aerial and physical team. Kandol had the first real chance for Leeds, putting a free header just wide, which was typical of the squandered chances by the Leeds big-men up front. Southend however quickly found their feet and started to get the ball onto the deck and move it around. Gower threw in some challenges that probably would have made McCormack wince, and Maher was a steadying influence as Southend probed but could not unlock Leeds. JCR miscuing a cut back from Freddy Eastwood was the first decent chance for the blues. The breakthrough came half way through the first half, as an excellent Bradbury broke through the high line that Leeds played, before squaring it to Gower to blast a shot past the flailing Ankergen. With the lead, Southend looked for the second goal that would calm the nerves against a dangerous Leeds. Sodje and Clarke were both very busy as they struggled at times with Leeds’ physical nature. Minutes after the first goal Freddy cracked the post with a curling shot… probably the crucial moment in the game. After this Leeds woke up and probably went into the changing rooms at half time knowing that they could break through.
They came out an energised team, and forced a number of freekicks. Flahavan denied Blake with an excellent safe and the game was all about Southend’s defence and whether they could hold out. A few times Southend caught Leeds on the break, but passes were a bit sloppy. Foran had two decent chances on the edge of the box but one was blocked and one went well over. However the defence finally breached and the killer blow came on the 85th minute, as Gower clumsily bowled over a Leeds player. After a false start, the freekick was laid off to an unmarked Healy who drilled it in. Leeds were right back in it and, in my opinion, hard done by when Francis handled in the box, however the ref gave a foul on Francis as he was adjudged to have been pushed. It seemed stonewall to me but as Leeds had had a few decisions go their way perhaps it would have been harsh on the Blues. The game finished as both teams pressed to snatch all 3 points, but it wasn’t to be. Also, to add insult to injury, whilst results went our way, the Blues slipped back into the bottom 3 which increases the pressure to keep the unbeaten run going and to at least get a result up at the KC stadium.
Ratings:
Flahavan – 7: Excellent stop for Blakes freekick. After a nervy start began to boss his area well
Francis – 7.5: Brilliant first half for the youngster, as he covered the centrebacks and often was left exposed by JCR. Probably should have conceded a penalty but the ref adjudged he was pushed
Sodje – 7.5: MOTM, excellent return for form as he worked hard against an awkward Cresswell. Some dodgy sliced clearances but on the whole lead from the back with an awesome display
Clarke – 7.5: Countered Sodje’s all-action game with a more cultured effort against Kandol. When the ball was on the deck he moved it around well
Hunt – 7: Unsung hero today as he did his job with the minimum of fuss. Wasn’t an attacking option but defended well. Hammell back for Hull though?
Gower – 7.5: Would have been my MOTM if it wasn’t for the silly tackle from which we conceded. Had an excellent game in the centre of the park and was great to see someone bursting through the centre to score
Maher – 7: Steadied the ship and whilst set-pieces blew hot and cold, he was a cool head in the midfield as he worked on getting the ball down and playing football
JCR – 6: A poor game which has been the story of JCR over the last few weeks. Seems tired and yet again today his complete lack of end product was evident
Foran – 6.5: Non of the heroics of Tuesday, was an excellent asset in defence as Leeds piled on, but squandered some chances and doesn’t quite seem to have the pace to really be a quality alternative to Gower on the wing
Freddy – 7: Quiet game as he got no time on the ball. Had a couple of half efforts and the usual frustrating offsides
Bradbury – 7.5: Like Marmite, I loved him today but my Dad hated him. Set up Gower for his goal and worked the line well from throw-on’s, especially well seeing as he was in the land of the giants and often Freddy was no where near for his flick-ons
Subs:
Sam – 6: Didn’t seem particularly special in my opinion. Was put through on goal but a weak shot was easily saved
Harrold – 7: Looked lively like usual as he came on with 10mins left
Ref: 7 on the whole had a good game, some dodgy decisions but kept the match from boiling over. Not sure about the pen decision but oh well!!
Crowd – 8: Seemed loud from the front of the west and I must mention Leeds who were excellent for the most part
Late Leeds Comeback Checks Blues Survival Hopes
A packed Roots Hall witnessed an electric game between Leeds and Southend, both looking for the three points that would go a long way towards Championship status next season.
Turning onto Shakespeare Drive I wasn’t sure what to expect, I have been both looking forward and dreading this game for weeks. Now the day was here it seemed that many shared my mixed emotions. A tense crowd filled RH and although a few lads tried to get songs going, I was more busy biting my nails and watching our shooting practice. An almost capacity crowd created one of the best KO atmospheres I have heard at a Saturday match this seasons as the teams came out, and soon my nerves were transformed into anticipation, as like many I shared the belief that on our day Leeds should be no problem to overcome.
Leeds started brightly, not letting Southend into their stride as they looked to make use of their superior aerial and physical team. Kandol had the first real chance for Leeds, putting a free header just wide, which was typical of the squandered chances by the Leeds big-men up front. Southend however quickly found their feet and started to get the ball onto the deck and move it around. Gower threw in some challenges that probably would have made McCormack wince, and Maher was a steadying influence as Southend probed but could not unlock Leeds. JCR miscuing a cut back from Freddy Eastwood was the first decent chance for the blues. The breakthrough came half way through the first half, as an excellent Bradbury broke through the high line that Leeds played, before squaring it to Gower to blast a shot past the flailing Ankergen. With the lead, Southend looked for the second goal that would calm the nerves against a dangerous Leeds. Sodje and Clarke were both very busy as they struggled at times with Leeds’ physical nature. Minutes after the first goal Freddy cracked the post with a curling shot… probably the crucial moment in the game. After this Leeds woke up and probably went into the changing rooms at half time knowing that they could break through.
They came out an energised team, and forced a number of freekicks. Flahavan denied Blake with an excellent safe and the game was all about Southend’s defence and whether they could hold out. A few times Southend caught Leeds on the break, but passes were a bit sloppy. Foran had two decent chances on the edge of the box but one was blocked and one went well over. However the defence finally breached and the killer blow came on the 85th minute, as Gower clumsily bowled over a Leeds player. After a false start, the freekick was laid off to an unmarked Healy who drilled it in. Leeds were right back in it and, in my opinion, hard done by when Francis handled in the box, however the ref gave a foul on Francis as he was adjudged to have been pushed. It seemed stonewall to me but as Leeds had had a few decisions go their way perhaps it would have been harsh on the Blues. The game finished as both teams pressed to snatch all 3 points, but it wasn’t to be. Also, to add insult to injury, whilst results went our way, the Blues slipped back into the bottom 3 which increases the pressure to keep the unbeaten run going and to at least get a result up at the KC stadium.
Ratings:
Flahavan – 7: Excellent stop for Blakes freekick. After a nervy start began to boss his area well
Francis – 7.5: Brilliant first half for the youngster, as he covered the centrebacks and often was left exposed by JCR. Probably should have conceded a penalty but the ref adjudged he was pushed
Sodje – 7.5: MOTM, excellent return for form as he worked hard against an awkward Cresswell. Some dodgy sliced clearances but on the whole lead from the back with an awesome display
Clarke – 7.5: Countered Sodje’s all-action game with a more cultured effort against Kandol. When the ball was on the deck he moved it around well
Hunt – 7: Unsung hero today as he did his job with the minimum of fuss. Wasn’t an attacking option but defended well. Hammell back for Hull though?
Gower – 7.5: Would have been my MOTM if it wasn’t for the silly tackle from which we conceded. Had an excellent game in the centre of the park and was great to see someone bursting through the centre to score
Maher – 7: Steadied the ship and whilst set-pieces blew hot and cold, he was a cool head in the midfield as he worked on getting the ball down and playing football
JCR – 6: A poor game which has been the story of JCR over the last few weeks. Seems tired and yet again today his complete lack of end product was evident
Foran – 6.5: Non of the heroics of Tuesday, was an excellent asset in defence as Leeds piled on, but squandered some chances and doesn’t quite seem to have the pace to really be a quality alternative to Gower on the wing
Freddy – 7: Quiet game as he got no time on the ball. Had a couple of half efforts and the usual frustrating offsides
Bradbury – 7.5: Like Marmite, I loved him today but my Dad hated him. Set up Gower for his goal and worked the line well from throw-on’s, especially well seeing as he was in the land of the giants and often Freddy was no where near for his flick-ons
Subs:
Sam – 6: Didn’t seem particularly special in my opinion. Was put through on goal but a weak shot was easily saved
Harrold – 7: Looked lively like usual as he came on with 10mins left
Ref: 7 on the whole had a good game, some dodgy decisions but kept the match from boiling over. Not sure about the pen decision but oh well!!
Crowd – 8: Seemed loud from the front of the west and I must mention Leeds who were excellent for the most part
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