This was my first Leeds match this century. I’ve followed Leeds home and away,
season tickets and stuff, since the 60s but work and family problems have kept
from a live game for about 10 years until Saturday.
I got lost driving to Cheltenham (don’t have satnav), got lost in Cheltenham,
had trouble parking, there was a mix-up about where I picked up my ticket which
all conspired to make so late I missed the only goal (doh!). Still haven’t seen
it either.
Loud Yorkshire-sounding roar just as I was going through the turnstiles – it
had to be for Leeds. Waiting for follow-up chanting for confirmation but all I
could hear was a rather feeble “come on Cheltenham”. Hmm, not so sure now.
Climbed the steps to see unsophisticated scoreboard showing CT 0 Visitors 1.
Thank God for that.
“Who scored the goal then?” I asked the steward. “Leeds,” grimaced the steward
examining my ticket.
Seated among the local Eddie Grundys of the cosy In2Print stand I waited
expectantly for our next goal due to the largely one-way traffic of the first
half. Everything went to Beckford, who was far too quick for their defence, but
he couldn’t get a shot on target even when put through one-on-one with the
keeper. He looked desperately in need of a goal to boost his confidence but in
fairness he kept on trying things.
Second half, obviously boosted by Mad Dog Allen’s team talk, Cheltenham came
much more into it. We were still the more composed side but they gave me some
real scares and our inability to get that second killer goal meant they never
gave up. Casper made two fantastic saves to prevent an equaliser. The first one
their guy was unmarked with the whole goal to aim at. He really should have
scored but put the ball too near Casper who deflected it wide. Another day it
might have crept in but Casper’s second save was sheer class, no luck involved
at all. A shot from the edge of the area was curling towards the top left-hand
corner with Casper seemingly wrong-footed but he somehow clawed the ball away
for a corner. Phew!
After that we held out fairly comfortably but it has to be said Cheltenham had
injury problems and look a poor team. I think, one way or another, Leeds and
Cheltenham will be in different divisions next season – possibly two.
It was interesting to see players I’ve only read about here on this list and
WACCOE. Here are my impressions...
Casper: Had a blinder. Nothing to do 1st half, two great saves in 2nd. Fine on
crosses and distribution.
Fraz: Looked good, particularly going forward. Crossed for the goal (or so I am
told). Very quiet for a captain.
Parker: Our best defender
Telfer: OK, might have imposed himself more
Lubo: Same as Telfer
Fab: Obviously too classy for this division. Tired badly late on.
Douglas: Made loads of tackles and defensive headers. Held midfield together.
Kilkenny: Quiet.
Howson: Not a wide man. Did nothing, I’m afraid. Was subbed for Robbo, who gave
us more balance. Although strangely their midfield began to dominate more as
the match wore on.
Becchio: Tireless worker. Held ball up well.
Becks: Just needs a goal to go in off his arse to get him going again. Saw some
posts on WACCOE saying he was “disrespectful” and “uninterested” but didn’t
think that was fair. He’s just one of those languid sort of guys.
So, three points, we go second. Difficult to judge how good this performance
was. Leeds failed to take the game by the scruff of the neck against a really
limited team although the home fans around me thought their lot had played
well. I also worry that our team are too quiet. The stand was close to the
pitch but I didn’t hear much talking or shouting among the Leeds players.
Frazer or someone should gee them up more. Still, they won.
Duncan Lee
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is Michel Kitabdjian dead yet?
