LEEDS 'A' 1 v 1 SHEFFIELD 8th November
A late switch of venues meant that Leeds hosted their South Yorkshire rivals instead of travelling down the M1. The pitch was on the heavy side and the energy sapping surface made it difficult for both teams.
Leeds dominated early possession without threatening their opponent's goal, until a Lee Rowley pass found Grady Marshall in space in the right hand side channel. Marshall's well struck shot hit the post with the keeper beaten. This effort seemed to give Leeds some self belief and a few minutes later Scott Townend shot across the keeper but the ball came out off the inside of the post. Jack Waters made a couple of sparkling runs and put in some telling crosses which just needed a Leeds head or foot to ensure a Leeds lead, but unfortunately for the home side there were no takers.
The ever dangerous 'AJ' up front for Sheffield was single handily giving the Leeds back four a torrid time and after a mistake by Jordan Emery he found himself in the clear with a sight of the Leeds goal but fortunately Emery recovered and made amends with a terrific challenge to quell the danger. A period of Sheffield pressure followed and after conceding a silly free kick Sheffield took the lead -the shot catching goalkeeper Daniel Crook off his line and the ball looped into the net. Failure to capitalise on their possession had cost the Leeds team dear and in all truth the team seemed flat in spirit in spite of the Management Team's efforts to galvanize them into action. The goal however seemed to give Leeds the 'jolt' they needed and this combined with a few home truths at half-time saw a different team emerge after the break. There was constant pressure on the Sheffield back four who in all honesty were extremely resolute.
Tom Ellliott had joined the fray and his energy and will to win was obvious to all. Emery had been switched to midfield and his tackling and passing started to create even more problems for Sheffield. Emery then struck a left foot shot from outside the area which sped low into the Sheffield net,1-1!
Ross Kershaw and Waters were terrorising the right hand of Sheffield's defence and crosses rained in without any takers. AJ and his colleagues up front were still a considerable threat but Matthew Ingram Dan Sefton and Andrew Slinger coped well but special praise to Elliott for his 'heart of a lion' tackling and distribution. Townend found himself in the clear but unfortunately for Leeds his shot lacked power. Kershaw put at least half a dozen curling corners into the six yard box but again for Leeds the heads shrunk back inside their shirts and these 'tortoise like' efforts at heading the ball leaves much to be desired and needs to be worked on in training.
All in all the effort was there in the second half but the quality was lacking today against a determined set of players who fought hard for their draw and few could begrudge them a share of the spoils. Yes Leeds should have won but paid the price for a lack of a killer instinct in front of goal. The team is a 'fledgling' one however and will improve but it needs to be done quickly as Hull. Liverpool and York await over the next three games and these opponents will be ready for us, the question is will the boys be ready for them! I think so; the glass is half-full not half empty at the moment!!