Dave has asked me to pass this on - along with Rich's report I guess
folk get a feel for what a great day out it must have been!
I've also posted this on Facebook on Dave's behalf.
Betty
Now read on :-).......................
Whenever I get to Piccadilly station I can always tell which (if any) of
the Manchester clubs are playing due to the number of fans wearing
shirts etc in and around the station. This has not always been the case
when I arrive at Leeds - sometimes I half wonder if I have got the right
day!
Not today mind you, there were shirts galore around Leeds station, and
somewhat bizzarely I followed a lad up the escalator whose htfc tattoo
on his shin was visible but who had an old LUFC shirt on!
I am not sure of the 'shirt wearing etiquette' but I always thought it
had to be the latest up to date one or one that was viewed as a
'classic' - today at the station and in the pubs and in the ground we
were treated to Leeds through the ages - the new white and the new gold
ones, plus last seasons white, blue and glow in the dark kits, mixed
with Top Man, Yorkshire Post, Strongbow kits and the one with the blue
and yellow hoop on white - they were all on show. Fans who have a
different view from me as to what is 'classic' or fans who have not been
for years - who knows?
The West Ridings was packed at 11.30 and by 12.15 it was 5 deep at the
bar. The queue for the buses snaked all the way to the canal and the
traffic was heavy. This had the feel of an important game, a game
against a top Prem club in the Cup or a three pointer that would
guarantee promotion at the very least. But there was none of the tension
these games generate - the fans all had smiles on their faces and a
general feeling of optimism and looking to the future.
I took my seat and looked around the stadium - South Stand -full, East
Stand Lower -full , East Stand Upper - full apart from a coporate bit in
the middle - West Stand - full except for the segregation near the
Brighton fans. The Kop - full. Brilliant and about time too.
We won 2 1 with a last minute goal to send everyone home happy and I am
so chuffed I will only tell you the good bits -tonight is not a time for
nit picking or even realism - let me enjoy the feeling.
With Byram, Austin and Diouf all unavailable I got the starting eleven
correct. Back 5 as expected a midfield (diamond but fluid) of Green,
Murphy Tonge and McCormack with Hunt and Varney up top.
A cross from Tonge was headed on by Varney and fell to Ross - a couple
of minutes before I had be bemoaning the fact he had not scored in pre
season and said I was worried it would affect him - he controlled it and
slotted home 1 1
Second half we controlled things without creating much - Murphy and
Tonge (both similar in stature and style) kept the ball well and did a
lot of prompting. Kenny made a great double save. Poleon and Smith came
on for the front two and every time Poleon got the ball there was a real
buzz among the crowd, a crowd that was boisterous throughout and 100%
behind the lads in white. Green lifted a good chance over the bar and
Kenny had to pull off another save when they threatened to score against
the run of play, then with time running out a cross fell to Smith, his
cushioned header was met by the onrushing Murphy who controlled it with
his hand and then smashed it through the ex scum keeper, onto the post
and in. Cue pandemonium and a deserved 3 points.
Not the greatest game or performance but who cares - a crowd of over 33k
went home happy - that is all we want !
I loved every minute of it - no doubt others on here will do a proper
report and let you know all of our failings etc but for me and for now
lets just enjoy it - Bates gone, and a last minute winner - it does not
get much better than this !
Dave
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