As there's nothing much happening on the list just now and Gav's match report of old was storming and made us all remember older happier times, as I rummaged around my c:/ drive looking for space I came across some of my old reserves match reports and so thought 'I'll post one', as you've all undoubtedly got nothing better to do than read old match reports about Paul Beesley.
It dates from August 1996. =============== At last, the REAL season begins - RESERVE TEAM FOOTBALL. Leeds vs Birmingham And so I arrive at the all new reserves venue, Elland Road, the new slimline Pontins League meaning I only have 12 opportunities to enjoy such an occasion. I also have the rare opportunity to observe a football game without the "benefit" of a beer induced haze. YES I will actually SEE the game (however a swift one was partaken of in the Old Peacock, well you can't let standards slip too much can you?). So I wended my way across Elland Road eagerly anticipating me reserves ritual. I found the West Stand (only been there once before) and chuckled as I walked in past the sign that says "Please do not throw food or chewing gum on the floor" (you don't get those in the Revie Stand) and took my seat, on the half way line, in the lower tier. I decided to move to the front row of the upper tier to enable easier note taking, only to be asked by a steward to move back as they would not allow me to sit there, afraid I might do terrible damage with my propelling pencil or something I suppose! I note how small the ground looks without loads of people in it, and wonder if the person who sits in the West Stand seat I am occupying can see me when I have my usual place in the Revie Stand. The teams run onto the pitch to a smattering of applause. New names have appeared on the team list - Hackworth, McPhail, Boyce, Dixon and Lynch - but there are a few old favourites - Radebe, Beeney, Wallace and Beesley. The game kicks off in bright evening sunshine. Within 15 seconds Wallace is on the floor and I hear an earry voice somewhere in my imagination shout "WALLACE - GET OFF THE PITCH". The formation, in the words of Ron Manager was "four-four-two, five-three-two, eight-six-twelve, nine-ten-eleven, small boys, at Elland Road, isn't it" - who knows, they seemed to chop and change a bit. Beeney was in goal, and I think they were mostly playing with three centre-back, Mark Jackson, Rob Bowman and Beesley. Alan Maybury and Harry Kewell were the wide backs, Radebe, Martin Foster and Stephen McPhail the midfield, and Wallace and Anthony Hackworth up front. Leeds started, and continued throughout the game, to play a patient passing game, building up from the back, passing square and back a lot, but keeping the ball most of the time. In the first half Radebe played some excellent balls distributing out wide and forward to both sides of the pitch, like he used to. Leeds pressed the game for the first fifteen, but without producing any real clear cut chances. Birmingham came back into it, but got caught off-side on numerous occasions. Alan Maybury made a jinky run down the wing, and put in a fast low cross, the keeper getting down well to hold onto the ball. Birmingham kept throwing long balls forward, but Bowman was solid in the air, however when the ball came to his feet, was let down by his first touch. Wallace was spritely, but often over-elaborated. Harry Kewell had a long range shot saved, and a few went wide. It wasn't until the fortieth minutes that a Birmingham defender slipped in front of his penalty area, Radebe snatching up the ball. He fed it wide and square to Maybury, who gave it back to him, creating some space. Radebe turned, and passed to the oncoming Wallace on the left of the box, who rattled the ball hard and fast along the ground into the far right corner of the net. GOAL. Leeds kept the ball for the last five minutes and the sides went in with Leeds having poked their noses in front. The second half was pretty much the same as the first. Birmingham's best chance fell to Jonathan Hunt, who within minutes of the restart took a long ball well on the edge of the box, turned neatly and found himself on the penalty spot with only Beeney to beat, but lashed the ball wide of the left upright. Should have scored. As the game progressed, space started to open up at both ends. Birmingham had a goal mouth scramble on 34, and a goal disallowed for off-side a little later. If there no 9, Paul Barnes, had timed his runs better, they could have had three or four. Ricky Otto replaced Hunt, but did little. A longish ball out of Leeds' defence found Wallace unmarked and in space on the left, the Birmingham keeper chasing out to meet him 30 yards from goal. Wallace could, and I think should, have chipped him to find the open goal, but chose the harder option of going round him. It was on the other side of the pitch so hard to see, but he fell over as he did this, whether he was fouled or not I couldn't say. He regained his feet to cross the ball but there was no one backing up and Birmingham cleared. Birmingham had the last opportunity of the match with Andy Edwards making a good jinking run and putting Barnes through, who shot high over an oncoming Beeney. Final score - Leeds 1 - Birmingham 0. There was plenty of endeavour, and nice to see them trying to play a passing game. They need more first touch practice however. Beeney looked relatively solid, came when he had to, but wasn't overly exerted. Maybury and Kewell worked well down the flanks, but Kewell's crossing was poor. Bowman was solid in the air, timing his jumps well, but has obviously been to the "Gary Speed Knock the Ball away 10 Yards on Your First Touch" school of first touching. Beesley shouted a lot, hoofed the ball to no one, gave the ball away, and was pretty shite. Radebe was excellent in the first half, seeing the game well, and passing long and accurately, more quiet in the second, letting Mark Jackson go forward and taking his place in defence. Martin Foster impressed me in midfield, he looked fast and committed, and wanted to go forward and Stephen McPhail was OK. Wallace was his usual self, in and out of the game like a jack russell in an rabbit warren. He tended to bottle it a bit as well, turning away on the edge of the box to run square, but still caused problems when running at defenders. Anthony Hackworth was crap. I haven't seen him before, and won't pass judgement on one performance, but he looked slow, unbalanced, and didn't win one header all match. Well shall see. Funniest parts of the night were when Maybury got booked, but I don't know why cos at that moment a little two year old lad in a yellow away shirt went haring onto the pitch, his dad swiftly chasing him which made the stewards blush and crowd laugh, and when the teenage lad next to me said to his dad that he thought Carlton Palmer is Leeds' best player at the moment and should get his England place back soon!!!!!!!!!!! Not a bad night out for nowt, and at least I didn't freeze my bollocks off, although I must say I prefer it at the Shay. Next game is scum away on 4 September, so we need a volunteer for that, although I may go myself. Incidentally, my spell checker suggests BEASTLY for BEESLEY. DRB _______________________________________________ Leedslist mailing list Info and options: http://mailman.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist To unsubscribe, email [email protected] MARCHING ON TOGETHER
