Match report Leeds United v Cardiff City 25/10/10

The forum coach arrived at my local pub in Derbyshire around 30 minutes late but it could have been alot later as we found out. After being watered and fed we learnt that all the other coaches were well behind schedule due to an accident on the M50. This all resulted in the travelling support getting to the game 15 minutes after kick off due to the police holding us all back at Woolley Edge services. They were not going to allow us to travel onward until all the coaches were there. Understadnable in a way but rather annoying for us aas our plans had gone well.

Before I carry on with this report I would like to thank all the travellers on our coach for their immaculate behaviour at my local. I glad to say my landlord was impressed with our group and would like to thank everyone for their custom. Nice one guys and thanks.

The arrival at Elland Road was a flashback to the old days of police condones. We had the expected reception from the Leeds fans and in fairness the police organised the ushering of us into the ground very well. Personally it felt to me that the police were their to protect the home support more than us as it looked like we could have over run the home support no problem. Fortunately the police were not going to allow us to do that so instead we outsunbg them in the ground and our team outplayed their team on the pitch.

As mentioned earlier we arrived 15 minutes late so I cannot say who started the better. However the first chance we saw went to Leeds. As we were settling into our pattern of supporting the team a Leeds corner circled around the far post from where it was taken. From that you would have been forgiven for thinking it could be a difficult night for us. However you could not have been so wrong.

That corner became Leeds closest chance to scoring. After that the game settled into a tight affair with neither team dominating any of the pitch. Cardiff did look the more aggressive team with their strong attack on Bellamy and Burke on the wing with Bothroyd and Chopra up front. However nothing much really happened until a direct route goal opened the game. From a Heaton kick that cleared the backline Leeds defence resulted in a mix up between our old friend Kasper, the Leeds goalkeeper, and one of their defenders. The ball bobbled between the two of them and ended up at the feet of a pressurising Bothroyd who trickled the ball into an empty net. That settled the Cardiff into the game.

After that it was all Cardiff as the class of the attack force was there to see. The Leeds defence were ripped apart by some lovely dummies that released Bellamy down the left wing. From these runs the ball was passed back to a Bothroyd in space. It was only desperate blocking by the Leeds defence that prevented the lead being extended. Adding to this Burke was creating just as much hassle for the Leeds down the right wing. One such move where Burke just left the Leeds fullback standing reuslted in a low cross that was met by Bothroyd again only for another desperate block that prevented a goal. Surely the Leeds could not keep this up.

A mention should be given to the Cardiff defence here. The Leeds offensive struggled to make any headway at the Cardiff goal. Heaton had little to do and did not have to make a serious save in the first half. Where the defence slipped up, surprisingly MacNaughton was caught out a coupe of time, they quickly recouped themselves and restricted the Leeds attack to long shots that none troubled Heaton. Things are improving in that department lately.

Cardiff went into the break one up but the talk was about a tackle by Bothroyd on the Leeds player Becchio. Texts were being received by us that he should have been sent off. Where the away fans were housed this would have been difficult to see but after lookijg at the scene on Sky he should have been off. Lets just hope Jay avoids a booking against Norwich.

The second half started with the away support asking Kasper to do the Ayatollah which he obliged. Nice one Kasper. However when we asked him to do another one some 20 minutes later he ignored us. Dont blame him for what was about to happen.

Cardiff won an early penalty and from a quality Bellamy cross Gyppes headed the ball to the far post only to see his effort cleared of the line by a Leeds head. This was the start of total possession by the visitors.

From a scrappy possession in midfield Chopra found himself in space and only Kasper to beat. A low shot across the goal saw Kasper get his finger tips to the ball but not enough to stop it going in. I have got to say we got luck there because there was a claim for Chopra being offside. Fortunately for us Chopra is a guy who takes his luck and does so efficiently. What I mean by effieciency here is that a bit earlier on Chris Burke found himself in a similar position but took his time only to be tackled for a corner where as Chopra showed the sharpness of a quality striker and wasted no time in picking his spot and excuting a powerful shot. Quality strike that sent the travellers wild.

Although the first goal had a bit of luck about it and the second one a question mark about it being allowed there was no such luck or question about the third goal four minutes later. Chris Burke once again got the better of his marker down the right wing and sent a low cross ofr the incoming Bothroyd to slide the ball home. Anyone else noticed Jay seems to be getting into the box more this season. Wonder if this is anything to do with him scoring more freely this season? Just an observation.

We only had to wait for another 4 minutes to see the fourth goal. Lee Naylor received the ball 25 yards outside the Leeds area. He decided to shoot and it looked a harmless effort. However the ball ended up in the back of the net. Now from where us away fans were the ball looked like it was going wide. This was mainly because Kasper just stood on his goal line not moving an inch. When the net appeared to stop the ball going to hit the backboards there was a slight pause amongst us before we realised it was a goal.

Now after that fourth goal I am not sure if us travelling fans erupted into celebration. I say this because we were still celebrating Chopras goal and carried on through Jay and onto Naylors. What I am saying here is that we were awesome as fans tonight with us climaxing by taking off our shoes to show our love for the club. Even I did that and I cant believe I did.

The ball did end up in the net again but this time it was the Cardiff one. Fortunately the linesman put his flag up for half time. Leeds did try to get one goal back and cause a coupe of reasonable saves from Heaton but it must be said the defence held firm and actually joined in the string of passes the team put togther. This ended in some showboating display from Bellamy and did we all love it.

The game ended with a nearly emptied Elland Road. The Leeds fans could not wait to get out but the Cardiff fans were held back for 20 minutes. None of us were complaing at first as we all sang "this is the best trip we have ever been on". However we soon starting signing "We wont to go home becuase Leeds is a shit house" and I would have ot agree with that because I felt Eland Road was a disappointment of a ground. I always imagine it being packed to the rafters but tonight it was fairly empty. Now I know why they have their TV cameras in the John Charles stand, its because no one sits there.

Summing up tonights game we basically saw the Leeds weak link and hit it big time. That link being the wide play. It was obvious Leeds had no options on the bench to over come this. Hence why we stuck to it. Now I dont want to be a killjoy here after such a magnificent win but I just wonder what we would have done if Leeds had the answer to this. Could we have changed our play tactics? I will enjoy tonight but will keep my feet on the ground until we have played the more established championship sides then I will reassess.

Ian, that was a good read and I am still on the coach.

It was a great pub too, thank you.

cheers ian another great report

Cardiff won an early penalty and from a quality Bellamy cross Gyppes headed the ball to the far post only to see his effort cleared of the line by a Leeds head. This was the start of total possession by the visitors.

The ball did end up in the net again but this time it was the Cardiff one. Fortunately the linesman put his flag up for half time.

good accurate report fella..

we were awsome..

nice one mate yeh celebrations on the night but better teams to come

second visit for me to the pub in question (wont mention the name, may use it again) great hospitality great prices

Great Report Ian, The Best to Date

Great report mate!

Chopra has broken his duck, so its safe to say we will get about 8 goals in the
next 10 games from him

Bothroyd was pulled up within FIVE minutes of the Doncaster game by Bellamy
for not attacking the box. Perhaps Carl could confirm this but I heard Bellers
told him that if he stops admiring his work and gets in that box he will get
20 goals this season!!.. Bothroyd obviously took that on board!

What on earth are defences in this division going to do once these fellers get
a decent run of games together.

Certain defenders still make me nervous, but today is not the day to have a pop.

Instead.. to the City fans that made the trip......

EASILY as good a performance by you lot as the one by the team! Well done!

Cardiff won an early penalty and from a quality Bellamy cross Gyppes headed the ball to the far post only to see his effort cleared of the line by a Leeds head. This was the start of total possession by the visitors.

The ball did end up in the net again but this time it was the Cardiff one. Fortunately the linesman put his flag up for half time.

good accurate report fella..

we were awsome..

I was still buzzing from the game.

Another excellent report great result last night

Cardiff won an early penalty and from a quality Bellamy cross Gyppes headed the ball to the far post only to see his effort cleared of the line by a Leeds head. This was the start of total possession by the visitors.

The ball did end up in the net again but this time it was the Cardiff one. Fortunately the linesman put his flag up for half time.

good accurate report fella..

we were awsome..

I was still buzzing from the game.

i bet you were! it made me chuckle is all, wasnt having a dig. keep it going

Cheers Ian, Look forward to Norwich C Update