Scarcely can the first home game of the season have been played in such dire weather conditions. A horrible driving drizzle and temperatures well below the norm for this time of year did nothing to keep away the folk of the West Riding who queued round the block looking for tickets for our first home game in the third division, so much so that they kick off was delayed by 15 minutes. There must still have been hundreds if not thousands outside unticketed and decidedly damp, when Alan Thompson strode up to drive a 3rd minute free kick over the wall and flashing past the keeper's finger tips inside the right hand upright, from all of 30 yards.
This set the tone for the remainder of the first half, which was played mainly down at the South Stand end, the one that Southend were defending. Leeds had the lion's share of possession creating half chances, winning corners and free kicks galore, without every really looking convincingly like they expected to score another. Kandol was winning everything in the air while Beckford chased and harried, but the dominance was founded on the midfield in which Prutton and Douglas ran and scampered and tackled everything that moved, and on winning the ball back gave it to Thompson who in the main, used it sensibly and imaginatively; short balls into feet or long searching passes attempting to switch the play and link with the runs made by team mates. Beckford and Kandol both missed pretty decent opportunities in this spell. Westlake, the other member of the 4 man midfield, flitted somewhat more ineffectual than his midfield colleagues but nevertheless linked well with Hughes and Beckford at times, down the left. Westlake picked an injury towards the end of the first half and was replaced on the left, initially, by Carole. The only action of note at the Leeds' end in the first half was a snap shot from outside the box, after Thompson lost possession needlessly, which slammed into the left hand post with Ankergren well beaten. Otherwise the Leeds back four were comfortable, keeping Southend at arm's length in the first 45 minutes. The second half continued pretty much where the first left off. But slowly Leeds began to defend deeper and deeper - or were increasingly forced onto the back foot by Southend who had some bloke (I didn't catch his name) in the middle who was everywhere. Midway through the second half and Hughes went off injured making way for young Parker. After a few half chances the goal innevitably arrived. A ball in from their left was uncleared, the first effort on goal drew a great save from Ankergren but Southend followed up quickest and buried the rebound. With about 15 minutes left to play they certainly seemed to be in the ascendency. A couple of minutes after their goal Wise swapped Prutton for Flo; Prutton's last contribution had been to come close to scoring with a header guided high back across the Southend goal that had the keeper back-peddling to deal with. As well as bringing Flo on at this time Carole was moved from the left where he had achieved little, to the right. Almost immediately he started running at the left back, at pace, and swinging crosses in. One of these was only half dealt with by a Southend defender, the ball sat up nicely on the penalty spot from where Flo hammered home a right foot volley, that you could see he knew, was never going anywhere else except the back of the net. Cue pandemonium on the already noisy terraces - 24 000 plus, not a bad turn out. Two minutes later and Carole again causes mayhem down the right and a long cross is somehow looped home off Marques' head - I haven't seen the replays, but I remember it being a back header - could be wrong though. Southend were well and truly beaten now and when a chipped ball over the top into the inside left channel wrong footed everyone except Beckford, he took one stride to set himself and lashed home nervelessly from 15 yards with his left foot. All instinct rather than having time to think. He looked delighted. A thoroughly enjoyable, well earned 3 points. ANKERGREN - very efficient when called on, unlucky to be beaten at the second attempt for their goal when he really was entitled to expect one of his defenders to cover RICHARDSON, HEATH, MARQUES, HUGHES (PARKER) - a very solid back four performance - a unit - not often breached - few errors of any consequence - nice for Rui to get a goal and good for Parker to get a decent 30 minutes under his belt. PRUTTON - can be very satisfied with an energetic and influential home debut THOMPSON - a vast improvement on last week's lacklustre performance - the kind of king-pin game that Wise will have been looking for - he looks good with workers around him - belting free kick DOUGLAS - a good understated workmanlike game - can offer something at this level (if he stays) WESTLAKE - less influential than his fellow midfielders - but steady BECKFORD - MOTM for his effort - never letting the defence settle - well taken goal - lets hope it's the first of many KANDOL - caused endless problems for Southend - could forge a decent relationship with Beckford Subs CAROLE - dynamite, when finally played in position PARKER - looked steady and composed after a few early flurries FLO - goal with first or second touch - having Flo on the bench may be worth more in propaganda value against our third division competition, than in actual on the pitch worth to the team - as having 24 000 people coming to see your home games. Good lively crowd. _______________________________________________ the Leeds List is an unmoderated mailing list and the list administrators accept no liability for the personal views and opinions of contributors. Leedslist mailing list [email protected] http://list.zetnet.co.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist Join The Leeds United Supporters Trust at www.lufctrust.org
