This was a well deserved win after an exciting and exhilarating game and one we had to work hard for. When I left home in the snow, knowing that my trains were all being delayed etc it was one of those days when you question what you are doing but the performance and end result made it all worthwhile. We started with just the one (enforced) change with Hughes for Connolly, so again it was a 5 man midfield with Becchio on his own upfront a formation that I don't really like at home even though it has brought us some success away from ER. We began brightly and soon 'scored' when a ball over the top fell to Howson, as he controlled it I looked to the linesman who kept his flag down and then Johnny buried it in the back of the net only for the flag to go up, It was at the South Stand so I could not tell if he was onside and I suppose the mere fact that I checked may suggest he was very close but right or wrong the flag was very late.(in total we scored 3 offside 'goals;today. The second was by snoddy who earned a very pedantic booking since he shot after the whistle was blown - a poor decision by the ref at 0 0 when one considers that he allowed Palace to waste time with impunity when they were in front. The next incident of note also involved the ref when Max and Johnson combined to trip a Palace player up and both earned a booking.Our best chance, as we controlled the game and passed it well, occurred when Snoddy put it across to Becchio who was only a few yards from goal but made a total hash of it and the ball squirmed back to Max who shot wide when he should have buried it.Then totally against the run of play an interchange between 2 of their players left Johnson for dead on the flank and the resulting cross was met inside the 6yard box by a totally unmarked striker (Hughes where were you ?) Things went down hill for a bit then and only a good save from a free kick stopped us going in at half time 2 down. There were scattered boos at the half time whistle,some fans really need to get a grip. The second half was much the same as the first with us playing well but finding their keeper having a good day and them looking dangerous at times on the break Then came the changes - Johnson off to a chorus of boos and chants of "one greedy b...@rd" and joined by Max. On came McCormack and Sam as we continued to press, Sam especially looking good on one flank and Snoddy on the other. Time was starting to run out when Paynter was brought on, everyone including Becchio himself, expected that the number 10 would go up but instead SG went for it and took Hughes off. Within minutes things turned around when a corner by Kilkenny was hit deep into the penalty area, McCartney headed it on to Paynter who headed it on himself and Becchio just beat McCormack to it and scrambled it home. The crowd who had been quiet for much of the game but had been getting louder and louder as the game entered the final stages went wild. Even better was to follow as a through ball from Kilkenny was latched onto by McCormack who was dragged to the floor but the ball fell loose to Becchio who finished well.We then held on for the final minutes and got a well deserved 3 points. For me Snoddy was just about man of the match with Howson as well producing moments of real quality. All 3 subs looked good, Paynter nearly scoring when the ball was cleared and hit him in the face and ricocheted goalwards but the keeper saved. McCormack also looked very good,showing great vision and close control, my only concern is his lack of real pace- at the end of the game he was put clear but instead of storming forward he was immediate looking for support , and indeed played a nice ball to Paynter (?). He will be a great asset for us but that little passage of play did worry me a bit. I would like to see him partner Becchio (whose place seems unassailable at present) from the start certainly at home So a good perform ace to keep us all warm on a freezing December day and back into the play-off places, 3 points that make the last 2 away draws good results 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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