When I heard the station announcer say the next train at platform 2 is the 10.42 to Hull calling at Huddersfield LEEDS and ... I knew that the season had arrived for me. By 12noon I was in the pub pint in hand talking about Leeds United and listening to those around me do the same. Of course the Olympics got a mention but it was mainly take overs, new players, Warnock and Diouff. When I arrived at the ground and got my first sight of the pitch , that was it, I was home. I am 53 now and been going to ER week in week out (or at least fortnightly) since 1975 and I still get a buzz. Never mind Bates and the fact that we are still in the second division and that I did not recognise the players in white - this is what it is all about. Lees has sustained an injury and so Peltier was moved to centre half, this meant a chance for young Bryam at right back one of 8 in the starting line up making his competetive debut in a Leeds shirt - that figure went up to 10 when Diouff and Poleon came on. White was preferred to Drury at left back , with Pearce making up the final member of the back four. In midfield captain for the day Norris was in the centre with Austin (the player everyone was most excited about) with Varney and Green out wide. Up front it was old stalwarts Becchio and McCormack ,the latter being the fulcrum of the team now - he took corners, free kicks etc. Not surprisingly we got off to a bit of a mixed start (indeed the whole perfomance was a bit of a curates egg - good in parts / bad in parts) with some decent play mingled with mistakes and a lack of understanding. Kenny made a good low save low down and then the defence disappeared as they got the ball into the box, somehow Kenny managed to save it right on the line. In our next foray forward the ball came to Austin who drove forward with the cries of 'shooooot' echoing round the ground (or at least those bits that were open - South Stand was shut) as a decent crowd of 18,000 created a decent atmosphere. Austin duly obliged and, not for the first time, we were the grateful recipient of poor defending by them. The keeper failed to hold it and parried it straight to the centre half whose awful header fell to Becchio. Even Rich W knows what is likely to happen when Becchio has the ball in the six yard box , and he duly obliged with a good finish. 5 minutes later the game was over as a contest as more poor defending allowed McCormack and Varney to play a one-two three with the ball also bouncing off defenders, McCormack looking suspiciously offside then unselfishly played it across the 6 yard box for Varney to tap in. For the rest of the game we were pretty much in control and knew we would win. A scuffed shot from Norris and then a penatly secured the win. The penalty was given when a lovely chip over the defender towards Becchio and a probable goal was deliberately handled - not sure why no red card. At the other end Shrews had one good move when the lad went through and had his shorts pulled on the edge of the area and was then fouled inside the box but he continued with the ball and the ref let play go on - there was no advantage to Shrews as his shot went wide. Then on came Diouff to a 'mixed reception' at best. A lot booed and jeered , others tried to drown the boos with shouts of Diooooouff which also sounded like booing, One lad in the Kop (N10) just abused him for the rest of the game at the top of his voice - some agreed with his sentiments, others tried to shout him down. On the pitch Diouff himself looked Ok , one outrageous back heel (exactly the sort of guile we are lacking) was followed by a blatant dive (not the way to get the fans behind you) On the train home I sat with 3 Shrews fans who kindly shared their beer with me. After telling me they were robbed by ref and deserved to win they admitted that 2 0 to us would have been fair So 4 goals scored and all 3 main goal threats on the score sheet, a clean sheet at the other end, and a full game playing together. All in all a decent day - but it was against lower league opposition and in a crap tournament one step above a friendly There is plenty of work to do during the week to be ready for Wolves on Saturday Dave _______________________________________________ Leedslist mailing list Info and options: http://mailman.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist To unsubscribe, email [email protected]
PETE CASS (1962 - 2011) Rest In Peace Mate
