Well in many ways the game can be summed up in 3 words - very very wet !!
It absolutely poured down second half and the majority of Leeds fans behind the
goal got totally soaked - my coat and jumper are still over radiators drying
out.
The ground was a typical shitty non league place with little in the way of
facilities - things were made worse by the fact that our end had no terracing
steps but rather a very small incline which made it hard from my place in the
corner to see the goalposts at our end.
I must admit their fans were quite vocal and outchanted us big time, although
we did give some grief to a bloke in a scum shirt away to our left.
As for the game SG surprised a few of us with a recall for Crowe at right back
and Bromby taking over from Kisnorbo in the centre - up front Grella was chosen
to partner Becks and Kandol was nowhere to be seen -an unknown injury or is he
totally out of favour after his ban ? Becchio was on the bench.
We pretty much dominated the game from start to finish in terms of territory,
possession and chances. We had had a couple of long range efforts when a
sublime ball from Grella (v similar to Kilkenny at Brighton) picked out Becks
but he hit the bar when he should really have scored - to rub salt in the
wounds the rebound found its way to Snoddy whose shot also thundered off the
woodwork. Snoddy had also had a header cleared off the line after a good chip
back from Becks whose initial touch had taken him too far away from goal.
I can't recall any player having as much of the ball as Snoddy did in this
match - would love to see the prozone stats if they still do them. But he had a
very much in and out game with lots of poor crosses and corners interspersed
with some great wing play - him and Capaldi linked up well going forward and
were solid defensively - one cross by Capaldi on the run showing why Hughes on
his wrong foot is not the answer at left back.
The returning Crowe ( who had 2 great headers well saved) and the out of
position Howson on the other hand and on the other flank were totally the
opposite - lacking width going forward and looking shaky defensively.
At 0 0 at half time we were all fairly confident although the deluge that
welcomed the 2nd half did bring back memories of Histon. The ghost of that game
and of McAllister came back to haunt us on the hour mark when Lubo and Casper
forgot everything good they had been doing recently and all the stuff Grayson
has taught them and basically collided with each other leaving their big lad a
free header from a free kick - real deja vu !!
But under Grayson the team are made of sterner stuff and we always felt that we
would get back in the game although that belief was tested when the keeper made
two great saves, one from Doyle, and we had another shot scrambled away when a
goal seemed certain. Lubo also blasted over a good chance. But before nerves
could really kick in a ball from Howson found Snoddy and his low hard cross was
turned into the net by our talisman Beckford.
After that we huffed and puffed a bit and created a few chances but it just
would not go in and so it is back to ER for a replay.
News came though about our possible next Cup opponents and feelings were mixed
- a trip to the old enemy but the risk of a hammering and the worry that the
game could deflect us from our true purpose this season (over to you Simon)
Things were even worse for me when I realised I would still be away when that
game is played , so no trip down the road for me.
Overall then Kettering was a decent display and a good run out for Crowe and
Grella (who impressed with his touches and vision) and a cameo from Becchio.
Capaldi showed that he may be a worthwhile addition to the side.
On the negative side - we really need to sort the balance of the side out - it
does not really work with Doyle , Howson and Kilkenny. We lack width and it
clutters things up - we miss Johnson !?!. Also a draw against a non league
side(whilst an improvement on last season) is nothing to gloat about.
I do feel confident for the replay and am sure we will have too much for them
at home.
so back to the real thing tomorrow night at Oldham - another night for thermals
- and it will be interesting to see how the new loan player Ephraim plus the
returning Vokes and Gradel. Also what does he do with Grella after a good
display and Becchio ? Also Kisnorbo to come back in ?
Dave
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