retired_sfa97

Chapter 17

Preston NE Vs Leeds Utd, Chapionship: A few changes this time round. Bennett returns in place of Sulivan, Douglas starts ahead of Derry with Whelan on the bench. Healy Replaces the Injured Warner. Kilgallon slots into the centre to replace Butler and Bocanegra starts at left back. As we've been doing for most of the season, we flew out of the blocks. Healy found some space at the byline to cross, they're keeper fumbled it out where Douglas lashed into the bottom corner after 4 mins. We kept the pressure on and doubled the lead not long after. A long ball forward from Gregan found the head of Horsfield who nodded down into the middle just outside the area where Lewis thrashed home a fantastic effort which rattled into the top corner to make it 2-0. Preston came back into it a little but Benett was largely untroubled. Half hour in and we got ourselves another. Healy's cheeky shot was parried out and Douglas again was quickest to it, firing through the crowd of defenders to make it 3-0. Our football was quick and slick, the home side didn't really have an answer to it and it showed as a minute later Horsfield found space in the 18 yard box thanks largely to Walton's pass and he placed the ball into the bottom corner on 33mins. The goal mouth action died down a little until the brink of half time. Lewis's cross wasn't cleared and Blake found space to shoot, it took a slight deflection off Quinn but found it's way past the keepers near post and it was 5-0. The teams returned after the break and followed the same pattern. Preston had a few more chances but nothing really meaningful. With around 20mins left Batty rang in the changes, Healy, Blake and Bocanegra all made way, Bernard, Richardson and Nyatanga coming in. They all worked hard but found it difficult to get into the fast paced game. We managed to add a 6th just before full time. Kelly sent a ball down the wing which Bernard chased down before crossing at the byline, Horsfield controlled and tucked it into the bottom corner to make it 6-0 and another 3 points. No injuries to speak of and we looked alot more solid with Kilgallon and Gregan at the back. Despite having nothing to do, Bennett was named as man of the match.
F/T: Preston NE 0-6 Leeds Utd

I decided later that day that i'd been neglecting the girlfriend for a little while and decided to take her out for a night on the town. We got dressed up, headed out and had a good time, but half way through i noticed a familar face at the bar in the club. It was only Matt Warner, the lad who'd been single handedly destroying whole defences in the championship this season. I mustered up the courage and went over. I was very suprised at how nice a guy he was. I asked him why he wasn't playing and he pointed out his stiches on his cheek saying "It's a crappy injury but the physio won't let me play until it's healed." He bought me and the missus a round of drinks, shook my hand and went off about his business, i'd have asked for his autograph if i'd of had a pen and some paper on me.

The next day i looked over the morning papers and found that Reading had beaten Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park 3-2. With us winning it meant we were very much back in the hunt and maybe, just maybe the cracks were starting to emerge in Palaces solid back line. Our next game was going to be in the league cup, away to Watford. I'd wanted some big premiership team in this round but another win could see my wish granted. Our football was so smooth and fast, it was poetry in motion at times and i was eager for Batty's boys to pit they're skills against one of the big boys.

retired_sfa97

Chapter 18

Watford Vs Leeds Utd, League Cup 3rd round: (gonna start doing the games differently) Starting line up stayed the same, only Whelan and Nyalanga coming out due to being cup tied, they're replaced by Leven and Soley on the bench. We had a tough old game with Watford last time round and i was expecting the same again but i was partly wrong. We opened the scoring quickly through Healy. Blake got free of his marker on the right and crossed low and hard for Healy who just directed it into the top corner. Didn't all go our way though. Walton conceded a dumb free kick 25 yard out and former Leeds lad Spring stepped up and dispatched a beauty of a shot into the top corner leaving Bennett stood static on 11mins. The wall didn't look good. Didn't take too long to regain the lead. Healy again getting free for his forth of the season, this time nodding home Lewis' perfectly placed cross and it was soon 3-1, Horsfield timed his run perfectly onto Healy's flick and buried it at the near post. Half time was beckoning but we found time for another, Horfield again. This time Walton released Healy who managed to stay onside, he tried to dink it over the advancing Foster but he got a touch which Horsfield converted via a slide. Half time and ahead by 3, all good. However we didn't start as we had left off. Bocanegra under no pressure at all looked for Kilgallon with a pass which was intercepted by Henderson who tucked it away almost right after the restart. Things got worse 20mins later. Again, we failed to clear the ball properly, Kilgallons botched effort was hoofed back into the area by chambers, Marlon King got ahead of Bennett and headed home into the empty net. Now 4-3 and we looked in trouble. We tried our best to get our grip on the game back but never really found it. We got a dubious penalty with 10mins left but Blake fired down the middle and it was saved before Soley thrashed the rebound over the bar. We came under alot of pressure after that but we finally put the game to bed in the last minute. Watford caught out when their clearence came right back, Healy knocked it left where both Lewis and Horsfield were unmarked, Lewis took his time and drilled into the bottom corner to put us through. Exciting match but too many errors to make it great for us. Healy was named as man of the match.
F/T: Watford 3-5 Leeds Utd.

Holders Chelsea went out to Psycho's Man City 1-0 but Arsenal, Liverpool and Man Utd went through, one of those would do for the next round but as i found out, i was foiled again. We drew Ipswich away, another win and were into the quarter finals and maybe, a step closer to a final in Cardiff...who knows. David Batty's loan bid for Bolton striker Ricardo Vaz Te was turned down and Robert Green was again whining about moving to a bigger club. Maybe one on the short list should we get promoted. Hulse returned to light training. Anyway, next up for us were newly promoted Luton Town at home. They'd been doing alright but i wanted to see nothing but victory.

Leeds Utd Vs Luton Town, Championship: Whelan came in for Walton who was being rested and Nyatanga returned to the bench. Warner started on the bench ahead of Bernard. We kicked off and started quickly. The Luton keeper had plenty to do, we rattled the cross bar twice and the pressure was unrelenting for long periods before we got the breakthrough on 24mins. Horsfield found space at the back post and tapped home Blakes drive across the area. He looked to have doubled the lead when he broke away from his defender to slot home but it was ruled offside. The half time whistle blew and we led 1-0. The second half was much the same, we pressured them for long drawn out periods and things got alot harder for Luton when Coyne hit out at Healy and got his marching orders with half hour to go. We didn't make use of it, despite trying to again and again. The game ended 1-0 and it was another 3 points for us. Upto 3rd place and next up, Crystal Palace at home. Lewis was named man of the match.
F/T: Leeds Utd 1-0 Luton Town.

retired_sfa97

Chapter 19

As i said, Palace at home. Our biggest game of the season so far. They had a 5 point lead at the top but we could cut that down if our strike force got it right. Warner looks set to return after injury and it will definatly be a battle of the leagues best strikers. Horsfield and Warner Vs Macken and Johnson. Me and my brothers talked about it in great detail every day leading upto the game.

Leeds Utd Vs Crystal Palace, Championship: (Starting line up) Bennett, Bocanrgra, Kilgallon, Gregan(C), Kelly, Lewis, Whelan, Walton, Blake, Horsfield, Warner. (Subs bench) Sulivan, Nytanga, Richardson, Douglas and Healy.

Full strength squad for us with Warner returning to link up with Horsfield. I took my seat, a mixture of excitement and unease. This could make or break our title challenge. The teams strode out into the chilly November air, the stadium was packed. It was a daunting place to come by Dowie looked ready for anything as he shook hands with David Batty. Freedman replaced Johnson up front much to the joy of us Leeds fans as we knew he was lethal. The ref started the game and Palace started the better possession wise but not creating anything clear cut, we came into the game gradually and soon we were dominating. Warner and Horsfield both coming close. Warner hit the side netting and Horsfield forced saves from the Palace keeper. Kilgallon was marking Macken out of the game and Freedman didn't get much of the ball thanks to our captain Sean Gregan. We kept at them for a while before finally, we got the breakthrough. Warner skipped away from his man and into the area, his low shot was parried out by Kiraly. Reich picked up the ball but Whelan refused to let the move die, tackling him on the edge of the 6 yard box. The ball sprang loose and Horsfield netted from 3 yards out. 1-0 and we were loving it. The last few moments of the half followed the same pattern. Warner came close with a 20 yard snap shot with shaved the outside of the post before Palace got their first meaningful chance. Freedman got away from Gregan of the edge of the area and his first time shot trickled just wide. The ref blew for half time and the teams trotted off, we were much the better but the scoreline didn't do us justice.

We started the second half as we finished the first and a goal was our reward. Lewis' defelcted cross eluded Kiraly and Blake slid in at the back post to make it 2-0. We were going mental and with just cause because we'd just been told that Plymouth were ahead against Southampton. We carried on where we left off, pressing Palace every chance we got, Warner forced a save from Kiraly with a good free kick before coming off for Healy 15mins into the second half. From there we just coasted. Kilgallon and Gregan were faultless at the back and Walton ran the midfield like he'd been doing it for years. The final whistle blew and we appluded the excellent effort of our boys for a good 10mins before finally heading home. Lewis was named man of the match.
F/T: Leeds Utd 2-0 Crystal Palace

On the same night Chelsea lost 1-0 to Real Madrid in the champions league. The following morning the sports pages spoke of Kilgallon wanting to move to a bigger club however in the same article Batty played it all down saying he wants Kilgallon to stay and fulfill his ambitions at Leeds Utd. Some big teams have been after him over the past few weeks (Liverpool and Arsenal to name but a few) and with his performance last night i'm not suprised at all. He was astounding really, not a foot wrong and kept Macken, one of the leagues best strikers, quiet as a church mouse. It was also time for the monthly player gongs to be handed out, Walton was named young player of the month and Lewis picked up player of the month for his outstanding performances over the past 30 days. Here's how the tables look.

(pld) (W) (D) (L) (F) (A) (Pts)

1. Southampton (17) (12) (3) (2) (33) (17) 39pts
2. Crystal Palace (17) (11) (3) (3) (40) (22) 36pts
3. Leeds United (16) (11) (1) (4) (49) (19) 34pts
4. Norwich City (17) (10) (3) (4) (25) (10) 33pts
5. Cardiff City (17) (9) (3) (5) (37) (24) 30pts
6. Reading (16) (9) (3) (4) (32) (19) 30pts

The scoring charts looked like this...

1. Geoff Horsfield (Leeds Utd) 19 goals
2. Matt Warner (Leeds Utd) 19 goals
3. Jon Macken (C Palace) 13 goals
4. Dave Kitson (Reading) 13 goals
5. Danny Webber (Sheff Utd) 12 goals

Things remained much the same in the premiership, Arsenal were level on Points with Chelsea at the top of the table, Liverpool lay in 3rd trailing by 2 points and Bolton carried on defying the critics by holding onto 4th. Man Utd lay in 11th after a really poor run and Newcastle, Blackburn and Fulham occupied the relegation places.

retired_sfa97

Chapter 20

Our team was beginning to get alot stronger, Dan Harding resumed full training after a 2 month lay out and would be looking to reclaim his left back position as quickly as possible. Bocanegra has been filling in quite well, allowing Kilgallon to move back into his prefered central defensive position. Stone also returned to full training and declared in an interview that he was delighted with our league form. As he should be, we were flying high, the underdogs doing the business but can't count our chickens just yet, were not even half way through the season. Our next game was to be against Coventry away.

Coventry City Vs Leeds Utd, Championship: (Starting Line-up) Bennett, Bocanegra, Kilgallon, Gregan, Kelly, Jarvis, Whelan, Walton, Blake, Horsfield, Warner. (Subs) Sulivan, Nyatanga, Richardson, Douglas, Healy.

It was a half filled Rioch Arena but i doubt it bothered any of the players. The start was very even, both sides having chances, nothing clear cut though. We slowly took charge of the situation and it didn't take long for Coventry to buckle under the pressure. The opening goal was a strange one to say the least. Duffy played the ball back to Bywater in the Coventry goal who tried to trick his way past Warner, he was wise to it and found himself with an open goal, never going to miss and we took the lead, his first goal in a while. Coventry, not to be outdone almost equalised, Scowcroft's pass found Stern John 6 yards out and unmarked but Bennett pulled off a fantastic save to keep us ahead. Towards the end of the half we firmly took control. Walton jinxed past 2 defenders before lacing a super pass into the path of Horsfield, his first time shot was saved but the rebound fell to an unmarked Warner who netted his 25th of the season. Whelan added a 3rd just before the interval, Jarvis latched onto Horsfield's pass on the left and whipped in a low cross which found Whelan ahead of his man and he lashed home at the near post to make it 3-0. Coventry started the second half much the better and got their reward 10mins into it, Mcsheffrey drew away Walton and Gregan before slipping the ball to McManaman who let loose with a crashing 30 yard dive leaving Bennett helpless to stop it. They had a goal back and it could have been 2 soon after, McManaman finding space again to let rip with another drive but this time Bennett was equal to it. Warner took a bit of a knock and was replaced by Healy and soon after Douglas came on for our other goal scorer Whelan. The rest of the half was pretty much bogged down in the midfield. We broke a couple of times but made nothing of it. Last real chance came for Coventry, McSheffrey again getting free to rocket an effort towards the bottom corner but again Bennett made a brilliant save and with that the game ended, another good result and another 3 points. Bennett was named man of the match.
F/T: Coventry City 1-3 Leeds Utd.

With that win we moved upto second and the hunt was very much on as we now looked to track down Southampton and it was also our 4th win on the trot. Whelan picked up his 5th booking of the season and will serve a 1 match ban. Disappointing as he's really started to come into his own of late and is showing how good of a central midfielder he can be. Looks very at home with Walton in the centre, maybe those 2 will be partnered in there for many years to come. The confidence of the team was building stronger and stronger with each match and the young players were thriving. Walton was bossing the midfield every chance he got and his passing is showing signs of becoming Beckham quality. Kilgallon was an imovable object more often than not, quick, strong and excellent in the tackle. Don't need to say much about Warner as his goal record said it all, future England striker for sure.

Just before the Brighton game though, Einarsson complained about the lack of first team football to which Batty's words were simple "Impress me in training and you'll play, simple as." Never one to mince his words and thats what we liked. People were starting to sit up and take notice of Batty now, he looked like becoming a great manager. Despite being a defensive midfielder by trade while a player, he had Leeds playing some sublime attacking football with a flair and invention that most teams in this league and some in the above could only dream about. Also, Nyatanga and Whelan were called up to play for the Wales and Republic of Ireland U21 sides respectivly. Healy (N. Ireland), Lewis, Bocanegra (Both USA), Einarsson (Iceland) and Douglas (Rep. Ireland) were all called up to play for their countries in the next set of International games.

retired_sfa97

Chapter 21

Next up for us was the visit of Brighton. This would be our game in hand over the other teams around us so a win would be very important for us.

Leeds Utd Vs Brighton and Hove Albion, Championship: (Starting Line-Up) Bennett, Bocanegra, Kilgallon, Gregan(C), Kelly, Lewis, Derry, Walton, Stone, Horsfield, Healy. (Subs) Sulivan, Harding, Richardson, Blake, Hulse.

The game started and it was a slow start for both sides. Nothing cast iron chance wise. Healy shaved the post with a cheeky dink and Knights drive at the other end just glanced over the cross bar. It took around 20mins for the first real chance to come and it came to us, Derry's free kick forcing a good save before Lewis's cross a few mins later was fumbled by Ward onto the head of Healy who knocked home his 5th of the season to give us the lead. From there we tightened our grip on the game and looked to double the lead. Lewis was causing problems down the left again and again before cutting inside to shoot. He was fouled and we had a free kick. With Lewis hovering over it he stepped up but instead knocked it left to Derry who curled in an absolute peach into the top corner just before half time. 2 goals to the good and half time upon us. Both teams moved down the tunnel and out of sight as i went for a burger. The second half started with a bang, only at the wrong end. Winter found space on the edge of the area to let go with a lethal drive into the top corner to put Brighton right back in it. Stone soon made his way off for Blake and the rewards were instant. He won the ball back in his own area before making a 60 yard pass into the path of Healy who poked a low drive under Ward from 12 yards to give us back our 2 goal lead back. We got more and more bold in our attacking play, Ward being very over-worked in the Brighton goal, pulling off great saves to deny Derry, Lewis and Gregan. But it didn't last long, Healy broke away down the right before being felled by Dublin. The ref pointed to the spot and it was to be Blake who would take it. He stepped up and leathered it towards goal, Ward got a hand to it but it still found it's way in to make it 4-1. After that the game died a little, Bright had chances with Knight and Winter but nothing to make Bennett worry. The whistle blew and we got the points, now just 2 behind Southampton and 4 ahead of Palace. Lewis was named man of the match.
F/T: Leeds Utd 4-1 Brighton and Hove Albion.

Later in the week Whelan got on the scoresheet for the Rep. Ireland U21's as they beat Kuwait U21's 4-0 and Simon Walton got a call up to the England U19's while Harding and Kilgallon were called up to play for the England U21's. We were into the last international break of the year with Lewis, Bocanegra, Einarsson and Healy all playing for their countries ahead of our game against Ipswich in the league so they may be rested for that. We'd play Ipswich twice in the space of around a week as we had our League cup 4th round show down with them coming up after our next game, a televised match against Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Utd, but right now the team had a chance to rest and prepare properly for the long and hectic Christmas period. I looked at the league table over the weekend and discovered a few things. First being, we were one of just three teams to be unbeaten at home, winning 8 and drawing 1 and, we'd conceded just 3. Elland Road was becoming a fortress. Our away record wasn't as good, 4th best in the league but that was nothing to be sniffed at. Stuart Pearce became the first manager to get the boot after a poor start to the season with Man City, the papers speculated on who would be his successor with Claudio Ranieri being penned as favourite for the job. Other names in the mix Included Matthias Sammer and Javier Clemente.

England drew 0-0 with Argentina in their friendly, it was a rather drab affair but i suppose had it been in the world cup, a draw would have been welcome. What wasn't welcome though was David Healy coming out saying he wants to move to a bigger club. He stated his ambitions would never be fulfilled at Leeds and a move to a bigger team was what he wanted. It was a shock to me and most of the Leeds support. I don't know how Batty will react but since he's been here, he hasn't taken well to people airing their dirty laundry in the media and i'm sure a few stern words will be had before too long.

retired_sfa97

Chapter 22

Finally it was time for our next game, it would be 2nd Vs 23rd and a prequel to our 4th round league cup tie in a little over a weeks time. We were missing both Harding and Kilgallon for this game so i waited to see who'd replace 'Killa' in the centre of defence.

Leeds Utd Vs Ipswich Town, Championship: (Starting Line-up) Bennett, Bocanegra, Soley, Gregan(C), Kelly, Lewis, Douglas, Walton, Blake, Horsfield, Warner (Subs) Sulivan, Nyatanga, Richardson, Whelan, Hulse.

I settled into my seat as usual, my brothers and dad joined me soon after as the teams trotted out into the cold November air. The starting line up was announced and i wasn't too suprised at the absence of David Healy in the squad. They kicked off but the way they lost the ball showed why they could be in league 2 next season. Only took 8min for us to break the deadlock. Lewis zipped in a cross from the right and Warner rose like a salmon to head home and soon after he added another and what a goal it was. Lewis lofted a long pass from the halfway line and Warner perfectly controlled a first time volley/chip over the keeper and into the goal. Beautiful to see but the lads seemed to want to out do each other. 20mins into the game we had a throw which Bocanegra sent long. Blake got ahead of his marker and hit an overhead kick from a very tight angle, it looped over the static keeper and off the post for 3-0 already. 10mins later we had another, not as impressive as the last 2 but they all count. Warner dinked a 20 yard free kick over the wall and Horsfield managed to get a header on it to get his 25th goal of the season. We kept up the unrelenting pressure, only an effort from Bowditch managed to trouble us before Douglas played a ball ahead of Lewis to chase and his low cross was met by the boot of Douglas at the near post to make it 5-0 and just before the half time whistle we managed to find another one, Lewis again providing with an early cross which Warner volleyed in brilliantly at the near post, a truly great goal. The whistle did blow and not a second too soon for Ipswich who looked like they wanted to be swallowed by the earth at they went into the tunnel. They returned shortly after and the second half kicked off much as the first one finished, with a goal. Douglas found Horsfield wide on the left and his cross was met with another first time volley from Warner which rocketed into the goal. We kept Ipswich quiet, pretty much just toying with them until Kelly relased a long ball for Warner to chase down the right wing, he brought the ball under control and cross low and hard where Horsfield's foot glanced it into the bottom corner. The match died down slightly after that but not for too long, Douglas won a free kick on the left side edge of the area, Warner stepped up and delivered the perfect free kick into the near corner. Another great goal and 9-0 now. Changes were made shortly after, Horsfield coming off for Hulse and Walton making way for Whelan. My brothers were happy having missed the spanking of Millwall a few weeks back and looked like kids on christmas. Blake managed to keep the ball in with a cross after Waltons long ball into the corner. Warner helped it on and Hulse tapped the ball home to make it an amazing 10th goal. Things did turn sour a little, Warner and Willnis got into a scuffle after a late tackle from Willnis. Warner got booked but in the argument Willnis lashed out and was sent for an early bath with a couple of minutes left. Bowditch managed to get an consolation goal in the dying seconds after Bocanegra's poor pass gifted the ball to sam. He beat Soley before slipping it to Bowditch who side footed home from 12 yards past Bennett. Too little too late and hopefuly we'll have the same kind of performance in the league cup. Warner was named man of the match.
F/T: Leeds Utd 10-1 Ipswich Town.

The next day, Healy came out and appogised for his outburst and pleged his future to Leeds, no doubt with a bit of pushing from Batty. Also, Sheffield Wednesday came from a goal behind to beat Southampton and with us winning it meant Leeds Utd were now top of the table. JUSTICE!!!! All the critic's were forced to eat their hats or whatever head gear to happened to be wearing that day and surely, we were one step closer to winning and league and with them getting closer, it meant i got closer to my £30,000 pay out. More shocks were to emerge however when Real Madrid expressed an interest in Eddie Lewis. His form has been awesome but at 31 would he really be worth it. I also doubt very much that Batty would let our only established left winger go, no matter how much was offered.

Ahead of the Sheffield Utd match Sulivan came down with the flu and was sent home to avoid a mass infection (lets home it isn't the bird flu) and Ryan Jarvis suffered a twisted knee in training so he'll miss the next couple of weeks i should think. Joe Royal got the boot after we demolished Ipswich at the weekend, Stuart Pearce seems to be favourite for the job and that would be interesting to see if he gets the job in time for the league cup match. Pearce and Batty, 2 of the toughest players in the game when they played so any off the pitch arguments would probably be more interesting than the actual match itself. Also, Steve Stone suffered an injury and his fight for fitness will be put on hold at least another week.

retired_sfa97

Chapter 23

Pearce did take over at Ipswich and set up a meeting of the former England hardmen and the results were almost instant as they drew with Watford in a midweek fixture. The champions league resumed also this week with all our teams got wins, Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal have qualified for the next stage but Everton and Liverpool need wins in their last games to stand a chance of making it to the last 16. Lee Bernard finished his rather unsuccessful loan spell and returned to Spurs after making just 3 subsitute appearences.

Sheffield Utd Vs Leeds Utd, Championship: (Starting Line-Up) Bennett, Bocanegra, Kilgallon, Gregan (C), Kelly, Lewis, Douglas, Walton, Blake, Horsfield, Warner. (Subs) Lund, Harding, Richardson, Whelan, Healy.

I sat down on my sofa to watch the match, few beers and some snacks in hand for it. The game kicked off and possession wise it was very even, we made the most of ours in terms of chances. Horsfield forced a couple of saves from Kenny and Warner wasted a free header after a great bit of running from Blake. We kept plugging and broke the deadlock. Warner came out wide to collect Blake's pass and delivered a cross to the back post which Horsfield converted with a strong header on 34mins. I also noticed things were starting to get a bit rougher. Tackles were becoming harder and more reckless and bookings were starting to become a frequent sight. Steve Kabba got a yard of space at the front post but his shot was saved brilliantly at the near post by Bennett after Mongomery's cross. Putting this aside though we managed to get another just before the half time whistle. Unsworth brought down Warner on the right to earn a free kick but before it was taken Quinn pushed Horsfield and got booked and in the confusion Lewis hit a pacey free kick towards the near post and the head of Warner helped it on to make it 2-0 to the mighty Leeds. The ref got a mouthful from Warnock at half time, then again so did Batty and they were both escorted down the tunnel, if they hadn't it would have come to blows i think. The teams trotted out for the second half and Sheff Utd were becoming a bit stretched and it showed. Kilgallon launched a clearence to which Horsfield's glancing header released Warner. He rounded the keeper then unselfishly passed across goal for Horsfield to finsh. Tempers were also starting to fly and Unsworth wasn't liking Warner's pace at all, the two exchanged some rather heated words from what i saw and as a result Warner was subsituted for Healy, Douglas also made way for Whelan. The bad blood didn't stop flowing however and another rash challenge, this time from Walton lead to a scuffle and Jagelka recieved a straight red for having a swipe at Horsfield. Warnock and Batty were going at it, all verbal until Batty pushed Warnock and all hell broke loose. The game stopped while Warnock and Batty were wrestled down the tunnel. After about 10mins of waiting the game finally got back underway with us ready to take our free kick. Healy lobbed it forward into the box and Walton stole in with a brave header to make it 4-0. It stayed like that for the rest of the match, Healy hit the post, as did Kabba but the game finished and it was one of the most entertaining i've seen in a long time, although i doubt we've heard the last of it. Walton was man of the match.
F/T: Sheffield Utd 0-4 Leeds Utd.

While i was happy with the win, i was very unhappy to find that we were back to square one. Bennett picked up an injury in training monday morning and now we find ourselves with no established goal keepers (AGAIN!!!!) Lund looks most likely to step into the fold meaning Gregan and Kilgallon will have to be at their very best, as will Horsfield and Warner. What was looking like a clear path to the Quarter finals is now looking like curtains. David Batty and Neil Warnock came up in front of the FA after sundays little doozy and have both been given 10 game touchline bans and fined undiclosed amounts. The ban will start when we take on 2nd place Southampton at the weekend. Batty said in a recent interview that he had considered resting some of his big name stars but in the wake of Bennett and Sulivan's injury lay up's will be forced to play a full stength side against Ipswich and then again against Southampton for our top of the table show down.

retired_sfa97

Chapter 24

Great news!!! Sulivan forced his way through a fitness test and will come to our rescue in time for the Ipswich match. I think every single Leeds Utd fan in the world breathed a huge sigh of relief after hearing that news.

Ipswich Town Vs Leeds Utd, League cup 4th round: (Starting Line-up) Sulivan, Bocanegra, Kilgallon, Gregan (C), Kelly, Lewis, Douglas, Walton, Blake, Horsfield, Warner. (Subs) Lund, Harding, Richardson, Derry, Healy.

Ipswich, taking home advantage ended up taking more than that. We failed to clear our lines and Parkin nodded down a ball for Bowditch who got ahead of Kilgallon and struck home. And it was about to get worse. After a string of fine saves we let ourselves down again after 13mins. Horlock threaded a ball through to Parkin who lashed home to make it 2-0 and then added a second 2mins later. A poor clearence from Walton meant Horlock could again lace a pass through a crowd of Leeds defenders and Parkin took full advantage, placing the ball past a helpless Sulivan....revenge...don't ya f**kin hate it. After that (and alot of rage filled screaming from Batty) we seemed to get better, but not much. Horsfield and Warner looked out of their depth for once, both having half chances and wasting them. The ref blew for half time and Batty had a face like thunder as he went for the tunnel. I knew we had the ability to pull it back, wheather we did or not would be upto the lads and 45 very difficult minutes. The game kicked off once more and that difficult 45min was about to get harder. Kelly felled Parkin in the box and Currie dispatched the resulting pentaly on the rebound after a save from Sulivan. Batty was going ape s**t from what i hear. Changes were made, Horfield, Blake and Douglas came off for Healy, Richardson and Derry. The result was instant. Richardson switch the ball from right to left, Lewis knocked the ball down and Healy lept onto it with a rasping drive into the bottom corner. 4-1 and it was time to mojo! We were starting to pepper the Ipswich goal and we got another with 20mins left. Warner broke free from the half way line and played the ball to Healy, he knocked it on to the running Lewis who set himself and smashed low at the near post past Price. He grabbed the ball and ran it back. 4-2! We let up a little for some reason but then instantly clicked up a gear. Richardson cut inside and pushed a superb ball through to Healy, his first shot was saved but his second wasn't and it was game on in a big way. 4mins left, 4-3 and chasing down a scared looking Ipswich. However, i knew it wasn't going to be our night when Warner raced away onto Walton clearence free as a bird, his low placed drive was saved and cleared. We tried hard but didn't find the equaliser, i doubt Batty could be mad at them, they gave it there all and even i had to stand up and applaud them for that second half perfomance. The penalty ruined it for us but thats football. Healy was man of the match.
F/T: Ipswich 4-3 Leeds Utd.

Batty came out and praised his players in the post match interview with sky, saying that they put there all in. He wished Ipswich good luck in the next round and disappeared into the changing room. Horsfield picked up a booking in this game and will serve a ban but after his perfomance, i doubt he'd have been picked anyway. I'm expecting some changes for the Southampton game.

retired_sfa97

Chapter 25

We swept the board in the monthly awards. Lewis was named as player of the month with Gregan in second. Kilgallon got young player with Walton in second. Batty was named as manager of the month while Shaun Derry's thunderbolt against Brighton got him goal of the month, Blakes overhead kick against Ipswich was second. Here's the tables as they stood at the start of December.

(Pld) (W) (D) (L) (F) (A) (Pts)

1. Leeds United (20) (15) (1) (4) (70) (22) 46pts
2. Southampton (20) (14) (3) (3) (38) (20) 45pts
3. Crystal Palace (20) (13) (3) (5) (43) (26) 39pts
4. Reading (20) (11) (4) (5) (37) (22) 37pts
5. Norwich City (20) (11) (4) (5) (30) (15) 37pts
6. Wolves (20) (11) (4) (5) (31) (19) 37pts

Scoring charts,

1. Matt Warner (Leeds Utd) 27 goals
2. Geoff Horsfield (Leeds Utd) 23 goals
3. Andy Johnson (Crystal Palace) 13 goals
4. Jon Macken (Crystal Palace) 13 goals
5. Danny Webber (Watford) 13 goals

Chelsea still topped the premier league, 2 points ahead of Arsenal who had a game in hand. Liverpool and Bolton still occupy the other 2 champions league spots. Man Utd lay 5th, 5 points adrift of Bolton. Wigan, Blackburn and Fulham sit in the relegation zone.

Next up for us was another big game in the shape of Southampton at home. A win would give us a 4 point lead at the top of the table heading towards the half way point of the season. Defeat would mean we'd fall 2pts behind Southampton going into december.

Leeds Utd Vs Southampton, Championship: (Starting Line-Up) Sulivan, Harding, Kilgallon, Bocanegra, Richardson, Lewis, Derry, Walton, Blake (C), Healy, Warner. (Subs) Lund, Nyatanga, Kelly, Whelan, Hulse.

As expected, the back line was ripped apart and things were changed, hopefuly the likes of Richardson and Harding can get it right and push for a more perminent space in the team. Blake takes the captains armband from Gregan. As usual i settled into my familar seat with my dad and brothers in time for kick off. The game started very evenly, both of us having chances, one being a rasping 40 yard drive from Walton which Niemi couldn't hold, Healy fluffed the rebound. Both sides were causing problems but Southampton drew first blood. Derry's poor pass found Kanu, he spread the ball out wide to St'Juste on the left. His cross nicked off Richardson and Kanu stole in and the near post to flick it in past Sulivan. A goal down, bugger! Didn't stay like that for long, Lewis won the ball on the half way line and nailed an inch perfect 40 yard pass to find Warner who hit a low volley first time past Niemi just before half time. The crowd went wild, another superb Warner goal and we were very much back in the hunt. Half time came around and the boy jogged off down the tunnel and out of sight, wonder what Batty will say? Whatever he did say seemed to work as we started the second half very much in control of the match though we didn't make anything stick. The changes rang in with about 20mins left, Derry (who had been dire) made way for Douglas, Healy went off for Hulse. That seemed to be the spark we needed as Hulse got us a free kick just outside the area on the right and the resulting delivery from Lewis found the head of Warner who's glancing near post header found the back post and then the net. We had the lead and we had them on the run. The minutes started to tick down and with just a few left, Southampton went for broke, sticking 5 men up front. They pressed us hard, Mornar bringing a brilliant save from Sulivan and with Bocanegra's clearence we were away. Douglas got up a big header and Lewis collected to the loose ball, he ran it down the wing before laying a low cross into the area. Hulse, Walton, Douglas and Warner were all lining up but it was the unmarked Blake at the back post who side footed home to give us the 3 points for sure. The stewards struggled to keep the crowd at bay. The seconds ticked down and eventually the whistle came along with an almighty cheer. Massive win, 4 point lead. The players swapped shirts and we departed the stadium happy. Lewis was named man of the match.
F/T: Leeds Utd 3-1 Southampton.

retired_aurie1201

LOL

Good Story Matty -- Keep it up.

And get well soon