Post by Taxigirl on Jan 8, 2006 11:41:17 GMT
www.leedsunited.com/report.
Venue
JJB Stadium
Kick-Off Time
07 January 2006 1:00pm
Attendance
10,980
Pre-Match
After threatening to make multiple changes for this cup game, Kevin Blackwell instead made just the one - and it hardly weakened the team.
Rob Hulse returned for his first start in six games at the expense of Richard Cresswell, and that was it. The cup may have come at an inconvenient time - just as United's league form had taken off again - but it was clear Blackwell was taking it seriously.
Wigan meanwhile had made eight changes to the side that lost 2-0 to Birmingham City. With no Jason Roberts, who tormented the Whites in the Latics two victories over Leeds, nor African Cup of Nations bound Henri Camara, Paul Jewell's side appeared at first glance to be less of a threat than had been expected.
The Match
Leeds had two great chances in the opening ten minutes, both of them falling to a man who began his career less than 20 miles away from the JJB Stadium, United's loan signing from Blackburn Rovers, Jonathan Douglas.
The first of them came from a strong run by Eddie Lewis that eventually saw Stephen Crainey swing the ball in, Hulse flicked it on and Douglas was in the clear but the ball was just too far ahead of him to beat Wigan keeper John Filan, who managed to get his body in the way at the expense of a corner.
From it Douglas had another opportunity with the ball being cut across the face of goal by Liam Miller to the penalty spot, but the midfielder had to lean in to get his shot away and put it well over the bar.
Before then it had been largely all Leeds, and they might have done better when Blake found Lewis and the cross was swung into the six yard box but the keeper was just able to get there ahead of Hulse.
Wigan's best chance during the opening exchanges saw Matt Jackson's header plucked away by Neil Sullivan, otherwise Leeds had dealt comfortably with most things thrown at them, Paul Butler and Matthew Kilgallon looking particularly solid.
The home side had another decent one just before the half-hour mark when Alan Mahon's cross was met by Lee McCulloch 10 yards out, but his header was well saved by Sullivan.
Five minutes later it was Leeds who stepped up the pressure and began to threaten again. Kelly's chip into the box was well collected by Blake, but as the striker attempted to side step his man the challenge came in from Jackson and he went down looking for the penalty. He'd have had more luck finding a pot of gold at the end of Wigan Pier.
A few minutes before half-time Eddie Lewis was taken out by a late challenge from Ryan Taylor that earned the Wigan man a yellow card. Lewis was fortunately able to continue after some treatment.
Leeds came out after the restart looking to be in determined mood and quickly fashioned a great chance. Lewis's cross deep into the area was missed by McMillan but fell perfectly for Blake who instinctively unleashed the volley - only to see his effort blocked by the defender who could have known nothing about it.
Wigan made united pay dearly for the miss as they broke and opened the scoring with a simple move.
Despite the attention of a few defenders, McCulloch managed to get a low cross into the six yard box that was simply turned home by David Connolly. It was rough on Leeds but Wigan just showed some of the ruthlessness that has served them so well in the Premiership.
The home side were brought to life by the goal and only Eddie Lewis on the line prevented Connolly from getting his second goal. They were forced into a change just before the hour when Alan Mahon limped off injured and was replaced by Gary Teale.
Leeds were not prepared to head for the FA Cup exit doors just yet, they produced a decent fight back and had Blake managed to connect with Lewis's flighted ball into the box, they would have been level.
David Healy made his entrance into the tie on 68 minutes, replacing Robbie Blake as Blackwell looked to freshen up his attack.
The Whites were seeing plenty of the ball but just not finding a decent finish, Miller shot over from a good position and Healy had one from a narrow angle charged down.
The United defence had been relatively untroubled by the Wigan forward line but all that was to change with the introduction of Jason Roberts. Graham Kavanagh, another experienced campaigner, also came on. Wigan had therefore used all their substitutions and were left scuppered when Ryan Taylor went down injured and was unable to continue. It meant they had to see out the last quarter hour with only ten men.
Leeds had a clearer shout for a penalty five minutes before the end when Cresswell was brought down four yards out but referee Graham Poll waved it away. Paul Butler also appeared to be caught with an arm in the build-up.
With less than two minutes of normal time remaining Leeds got their lucky break and the equaliser.
Lewis took the corner, Kilgallon got a touch with his head and the Wigan defence failed to clear before Hulse, five yards out at the back post, swivelled and hammered the ball home.
Lee McCulloch booked for a cynical foul with Butler that left the Whites skipper dazed and needing treatment. McCulloch could have won it deep into injury time but he shot straight at Sullivan.
United did more than enough in the end to earn a replay out of this game, and that will take place at Elland Road a week next Tuesday, 17th January?
The online vote
31% Rob Hulse
15% Matthew Kilgallon
13% Liam Miller
13% Eddie Lewis
5% Jonathan Douglas
5% David Healy
3% Neil Sullivan
3% Shaun Derry
3% Paul Butler
3% Robbie Blake
2% Richard Cresswell
1% Gary Kelly
1% Stephen Crainey
1% Ian Bennett
1% Simon Walton
0% Danny Pugh
Venue
JJB Stadium
Kick-Off Time
07 January 2006 1:00pm
Attendance
10,980
Pre-Match
After threatening to make multiple changes for this cup game, Kevin Blackwell instead made just the one - and it hardly weakened the team.
Rob Hulse returned for his first start in six games at the expense of Richard Cresswell, and that was it. The cup may have come at an inconvenient time - just as United's league form had taken off again - but it was clear Blackwell was taking it seriously.
Wigan meanwhile had made eight changes to the side that lost 2-0 to Birmingham City. With no Jason Roberts, who tormented the Whites in the Latics two victories over Leeds, nor African Cup of Nations bound Henri Camara, Paul Jewell's side appeared at first glance to be less of a threat than had been expected.
The Match
Leeds had two great chances in the opening ten minutes, both of them falling to a man who began his career less than 20 miles away from the JJB Stadium, United's loan signing from Blackburn Rovers, Jonathan Douglas.
The first of them came from a strong run by Eddie Lewis that eventually saw Stephen Crainey swing the ball in, Hulse flicked it on and Douglas was in the clear but the ball was just too far ahead of him to beat Wigan keeper John Filan, who managed to get his body in the way at the expense of a corner.
From it Douglas had another opportunity with the ball being cut across the face of goal by Liam Miller to the penalty spot, but the midfielder had to lean in to get his shot away and put it well over the bar.
Before then it had been largely all Leeds, and they might have done better when Blake found Lewis and the cross was swung into the six yard box but the keeper was just able to get there ahead of Hulse.
Wigan's best chance during the opening exchanges saw Matt Jackson's header plucked away by Neil Sullivan, otherwise Leeds had dealt comfortably with most things thrown at them, Paul Butler and Matthew Kilgallon looking particularly solid.
The home side had another decent one just before the half-hour mark when Alan Mahon's cross was met by Lee McCulloch 10 yards out, but his header was well saved by Sullivan.
Five minutes later it was Leeds who stepped up the pressure and began to threaten again. Kelly's chip into the box was well collected by Blake, but as the striker attempted to side step his man the challenge came in from Jackson and he went down looking for the penalty. He'd have had more luck finding a pot of gold at the end of Wigan Pier.
A few minutes before half-time Eddie Lewis was taken out by a late challenge from Ryan Taylor that earned the Wigan man a yellow card. Lewis was fortunately able to continue after some treatment.
Leeds came out after the restart looking to be in determined mood and quickly fashioned a great chance. Lewis's cross deep into the area was missed by McMillan but fell perfectly for Blake who instinctively unleashed the volley - only to see his effort blocked by the defender who could have known nothing about it.
Wigan made united pay dearly for the miss as they broke and opened the scoring with a simple move.
Despite the attention of a few defenders, McCulloch managed to get a low cross into the six yard box that was simply turned home by David Connolly. It was rough on Leeds but Wigan just showed some of the ruthlessness that has served them so well in the Premiership.
The home side were brought to life by the goal and only Eddie Lewis on the line prevented Connolly from getting his second goal. They were forced into a change just before the hour when Alan Mahon limped off injured and was replaced by Gary Teale.
Leeds were not prepared to head for the FA Cup exit doors just yet, they produced a decent fight back and had Blake managed to connect with Lewis's flighted ball into the box, they would have been level.
David Healy made his entrance into the tie on 68 minutes, replacing Robbie Blake as Blackwell looked to freshen up his attack.
The Whites were seeing plenty of the ball but just not finding a decent finish, Miller shot over from a good position and Healy had one from a narrow angle charged down.
The United defence had been relatively untroubled by the Wigan forward line but all that was to change with the introduction of Jason Roberts. Graham Kavanagh, another experienced campaigner, also came on. Wigan had therefore used all their substitutions and were left scuppered when Ryan Taylor went down injured and was unable to continue. It meant they had to see out the last quarter hour with only ten men.
Leeds had a clearer shout for a penalty five minutes before the end when Cresswell was brought down four yards out but referee Graham Poll waved it away. Paul Butler also appeared to be caught with an arm in the build-up.
With less than two minutes of normal time remaining Leeds got their lucky break and the equaliser.
Lewis took the corner, Kilgallon got a touch with his head and the Wigan defence failed to clear before Hulse, five yards out at the back post, swivelled and hammered the ball home.
Lee McCulloch booked for a cynical foul with Butler that left the Whites skipper dazed and needing treatment. McCulloch could have won it deep into injury time but he shot straight at Sullivan.
United did more than enough in the end to earn a replay out of this game, and that will take place at Elland Road a week next Tuesday, 17th January?
The online vote
31% Rob Hulse
15% Matthew Kilgallon
13% Liam Miller
13% Eddie Lewis
5% Jonathan Douglas
5% David Healy
3% Neil Sullivan
3% Shaun Derry
3% Paul Butler
3% Robbie Blake
2% Richard Cresswell
1% Gary Kelly
1% Stephen Crainey
1% Ian Bennett
1% Simon Walton
0% Danny Pugh