Well, that was frustrating.
Years ago, my first trip to Leeds was the first and only time I've watched a match from a seat in with the home fans. How did that happen again Fatha? A big night at Elland Road started with a startling stat reminding me that Leeds had over double our goal difference.
Although passive in a majority of January's games, one thing was sure - we aren't afraid. We'd shown our claws last week and not given Luton an inch. Leeds sang their shitty songs but our travelling hoards had made their way down the A1 and outclassed the home fans throughout.
Big Dan had kept his position at the back and rightly so. Rigg had also again kept Enzo out of the middle.
We began with a bang. Enzo broke his marker’s legs with aplomb within seconds of the get go. Then within 2 minutes we'd had our first shot on goal. Every time Leeds got the ball they headed for our half and each time the home fans exploded. I couldn't understand a word they were saying but they seemed to mean it. Bogle bothered Dennis and we faced our first corner on the 5 minute mark, putting everyone behind the ball. We pressed well early on. Promising.
Hume took a knock which gave everyone an early rest. We spent the next ten minutes in our own half, Leeds still hadn't had a shot on goal though. A marvellous run from Wilson after being clipped by a defender saw him wonderfully wind his way out of our half. Fifteen minutes in and with four corners against us we needed to find more time on the ball but our aggression would also need to step up. Make that 5 corners...
A fantastic tackle from Trai felled the in-form Solomon, hitting him so hard he knocked his special gloves off. Hume called him a rude word after too. So that was nice. Their supporters seemed confident every single time they got on the ball, even when it was 2 on 5 and they weren't even out of their own half. A free kick on the right side of our box then gave them a mini corner which we dealt with well.
25 mins in we hadn't added any other shots to our tally from the two in the opening minute. The home fans made more unintelligible musical grunts. I'm assuming swear words and nonsense. Leeds were now looking frustrated, with the bong-eyed Aaronson leaving a boot print on Enzo. Can you still say bong-eyed? I guess I'll find out when this gets printed. He is bong-eyed though. Leeds saw the first yellow of the evening as Captain Dan saw himself once again admirably attempt to fight his way out of a tight space surrounded by white shirts. The resulting free kick found Wilson on the edge of the box. He'd had a white shirt on his shoulder for most of the match but this time he spun the player inside out and coolly slotted the ball into the back of the net. The director decided to turn up the mics at the away end for the first time this evening.
A goal with only our third shot of the night. More of both please.
Captain Dan drew another foul from Aaronson. I think whoever put his hair band on for him must fasten it too tightly. Enzo produced more for his highlight reel and some slick play up the left gifted us another free kick. Wilson went in with his head but it was straight at the keeper. Some classic daftness from LO9 led to Wilson going in with his head again. Earning him a yellow card for hurting the defenders feelings.
The second half began and we came out the gates with gusto. Roberts provided a lovely flick awa the top to Hume who caught it first time with a perfect volley, albeit straight at the keeper, but as we all know said keeper does have fluff for hands.
Deep in Leeds territory we were showing some excellent creativity. Wilson had clearly been introduced to the powers of having your Weetabix. Bellers got a yeller and reminded us games of this tempo often produce plenty of cards.
With 60 mins just round the corner, Leeds' subs started getting ready for action. A period of us sitting back had tested Tony Patterson and potential cracks began to appear. Fire in our hearts but a bit too much ice in our veins. Trai had been great in the opening 30 mins in but finally found his way into the book. He got the ball but he got more of the player first. The Leeds fans came to life for the first time in the second half with a half-shout for handball against Dennis.
We were now being a bit too standoffish for my liking. Jobe had begun to return to his slightly frustrating habit of holding up the ball for too long after ploughing forward only to pass back, undoing the ground he had made up. Still a beast for a teen though. 66 mins in and no subs from either side. We were sitting in our defensive third, 70% possession their way and only 5 shots on target. All on target mind you.
Paddy tried his token cut-in-from-right-and-shoot. On target this time though. He's definitely getting closer though. I'm really looking forward to when he actually pulls it off. Now on the front foot, Leeds bolstered their advantage in possession with a double sub. We followed shortly after with Samed for Rigg and Mayenda for Issy.
Four subs and 20 set piece practice finally paid off for the home side and the foul-mouthed home side found their voice again. Samed was on the floor for some reason, again. Farke. 1-1 With ten minutes to go, we still had time to make a difference. Leeds also had more than plenty of time to double down. Haway RLB, give Mundle ten mins.
It took 3 players to dispossess Enzo on one of his furious runs and we pushed up the pitch. Poveda appeared (on time) to replace the even increasing recklessness of Roberts. Paddy had put in a good shift despite his foul that led to the free kick which led to the goal. Anyway...
We were gunning for it. Samed put through Poveda who caused bother, and made his way into the box. Ian and Salis looked sharp.
5 mins added time.
A few mins into extra time a jammy free kick saw Leeds just scrape a lead. We'd done well against free kicks but we'd drawn too many and although most of them were poor, we'd afforded them too many. Leeds celebrated like they deserved it and the fans promptly showed they couldn't even sing a Kaiser Chiefs song.
We hadn't done much wrong but we'd hadn't done enough right. Even Enzo had been quiet.
I googled it, you can say bong eyed.
Next up - Hull. See you there...
Keep the faith,
GPD.
