Well that was a top day out - my wife did ask me if they have moved Doncaster, since I managed to make the day out last over 13hours !! To be fair a lot of that time was spent in the pub and so my recollections of the football are a bit hazy. We had a couple of pints in Spoons at Leeds station and then arrived in Donny at 3pm. The first pub we went in was by the market and was full to bursting so you can imagine the clientele - mind you it was brightened up by 3 rather large bosomed 'ladies' with low cut tops ! The entertainment was a very gay, pink haired, open shirted, young lad singing and going outside every so often to drag more people in. His music had at least one old drunken tramp dancing away - where are the Britains got talent judges when you need them ? After such a start all the other back street pubs were a bit of a let down but at 7.30 we left the last one and jumped a taxi to the ground with 3 other Leeds fans who we did not know - we literally jumped into the cab with them and I lay on the floor hoping the driver did not see me and the fact that there were 6 of us in all - he did spot me but agreed to take us to the ground for an extortionate fee. So we arrived just as the game kicked off and, before we had time to work out all the changes, Donny nearly scored but a good block by Hughes saved the day. Somma had one rasping shot - he can sure hit a ball - that was tipped onto the bar and they later hit the post with a good curling shot as the game ebbed and flowed with clear cut chances at a premium, the best falling to Somma who was clean through but hit his shot tamely at Sullivan. We were on the back foot at times especially early on but with Bruce playing well we stood firm and I cannot recall Higgs making a save all game. Second half was similar but we were more in control, passing the ball around and harrying them when they had it. McCormack had a good shot from outside the box, and then with about 15mins to go a shot from Johnson was spilled by Sullivan and Somma poked it home - both his and our performance deserved the goal but our wild celebrations were cut short when we all noticed the offside flag. Our only other chance of note was when a really wayward shot from Johnson nearly resulted in a bizarre own goal but Sullivan managed to scramble it clear. So a clean sheet and a very good and well earned point against a team who are reckoned to be one of the better sides. Of the players who came in, McCormack looks like he will be decent, White and Hughes both coped pretty well and Bruce was immense and steadied the back line. As for Somma he does look the real deal - both Grayson and Sutton (at Lincoln) have been reported as saying he is a good goal scorer but his general play needs massive improvement - well not on yesterdays showing, he held the ball up well, brought other players into the game and seemed very aware of what was happening around him, the only thing that let him down yesterday was his finishing. He MUST start the next game. We also got a brief glimpse of Snoddy who did a few good things including one excellent run to the byline beating a couple of defenders. The team selection for Sheffield U will be interesting. If Connolly is fit I expect him to return and this may mean White being dropped for Hughes, although I hope White keeps his place. Bruce should keep Naylor out based on performance but will SG be true to his words - 'if you take your chance,you stay in the team' . Somma should start and if McCormack is fit ( he went off with a knock) then it is a toss up between him and Becchio - long term I am sure McCormack will replace him. One last point, as usual with Leeds away, there was a huge police presence, and as usual they are useless - we asked 3 different groups of them where the bus back to the station was and not one of them knew "we're not from here !!" - surely in the briefing they should be told where to direct fans to cars, coaches, buses, trains etc. This meant a very long walk back to the station and a morning in bed in agony for me - tossers ! Dave _______________________________________________ Leedslist mailing list Info and options: http://mailman-new.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist To unsubscribe, email [email protected]
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