Hi, despite some of you chucking in the Towel to Norwich already, good news from the Stiffs, that Higgs played a full game as did Rui and Parker in a 5 goal romp that saw Gradel get a hatrick.
Max Gradel struck his first hat-trick in a Leeds United shirt on Wednesday evening as the reserves cruised to a 5-0 Elland Road win against Lincoln City. Gradel's 12-minute treble came in the second half as Neil Thompson's men ended a run of four straight defeats by returning to winning ways in some style. And, while Gradel took the plaudits for his goalscoring efforts, the game also saw deserved goals for Paul Dickov and Andy Robinson, and successful comebacks for both Shane Higgs and Ben Parker who returned from injury at Elland Road. Higgs came through the full 90 minutes without any problems while Parker featured for a successful 75 minutes as Leeds cruised to victory. United created all the chances in the game, although it took until the 42nd minute for Dickov to break the deadlock. With Will Hatfield showing plenty of running in the middle of the park, and with the impressive Bradley Johnson and Gradel combining well, United looked a superior outfit to Lincoln. The first opening of the game was instigated by Gradel and when Johnson found himself crowded out at a tight angle, the former Leicester winger saw his shot blocked after latching onto the pull-back. Rui Marques twice went close during the opening period - the first header, from a Johnson free-kick, forcing a great save from Paul Musslewhite - and Gradel also had an effort cleared off the line following more good attacking play. Fittingly, Johnson and Gradel were both involved in the opening goal, which saw Dickov rewarded for some great movement with his first Elland Road goal. The second half started in similar vein with Robinson twice going close, but it wasn't long before Gradel embarked on his scoring spree. Johnson created his first with a neat ball over the top which Gradel converted with aplomb, and his second came eight minutes later following good work by Robinson. The hat-trick goal was another good finish, this time after good work by Dickov, and the quick-fire treble ensured United were cruising to victory. Robinson came within a whisker of making it 5-0 when he sent a shot just wide and the busy Dickov also had an opportunity when he lifted a shot over the top. Robinson was again denied a deserved goal when he had a shot deflected against the upright, but he was finally rewarded in the final moments when he converted after more good work by Dickov. United: Higgs, Crowe, Parker (Baxendale 75), Jones (Darville 58), Marques, Michalik, Hatfield, Robinson, Dickov, Gradel, Johnson. Subs: Martin, Whitwell, Watson. _______________________________________________ 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 and the hardest time in a sailor's day is to watch the sun as it sails away
