Post by Taxigirl on May 1, 2006 9:48:20 GMT
www.leedsunited.com/report
Brian Stock, 38
Brett Ormerod, 77
Venue
Deepdale
Kick-Off Time
30 April 2006 1:30pm
Attendance
19,350
Pre-Match
United boss Kevin Blackwell made it clear his mind was on the play-offs themselves after making no less than eight changes for the final game of the regular season against Preston.
Blackwell rested the likes of Rob Hulse, Sean Derry, Eddie Lewis, Liam Miller, Gary Kelly, Stephen Crainey, and skipper Paul Butler. He gave rare starts to Frazer Richardson, Ian Moore, Simon Walton and Danny Pugh, whilst Sean Gregan came back into the team.
Steve Stone started his first game for the club since his recovery from an Achilles injury, but not in his usual right wing role and instead played as a central midfielder.
The bench too saw had a few faces who have not had many chances of late, namely Dan Harding, Gylfi Einarsson and Joel Griffiths.
The Match
Kevin Blackwell's interesting team selection was matched by a formation that provoked plenty of debate as to what it exactly was. Some went for a diamond 4-3-2-1, whilst others insisted it was more 4-2-3-1, with Moore the man upfront.
Whatever it had intended to be, it appeared not to work and quarter of an hour into the game it had changed to a more easily recognisable 4-3-3.
The first half itself was low on real action points, although it had started at a frenetic pace that barely died down until half-time.
Preston had the best early chances, Graham Alexander's cross after three minutes was headed goalward by former QPR and Sunderland striker Danny Dicho but Neil Sullivan held on well.
Three minutes later a 25 yard shot by Simon Whaley was turned wide by Sullivan's right hand as he dived to make the save.
Then Danny Pugh's clearance was charged down on the edge of the area and the ball fell for Paul McKenna, whose shot from the edge of the area only just cleared the bar.
Leeds first chance came on 17 minutes when Claude Davis clattered Moore to give away a free-kick 30-yards out but Healy could only fire high and wide from the set-piece.
Midway through the half Blake's free-kick was handled on the edge of the area to earn him another attempt from a better position, he did come close to hitting the target but his low drive still skidded wide of the target.
Only a great tackle by Sean Gregan inside the area prevented Brian Stock from getting past him with only Sullivan left to beat.
Preston's opener on 37 minutes came after Matthew Kilgallon was judged to have fouled Jason Jarrett five yards out from the penalty area.
Brian Stock too the free-kick and hit it low but around the wall and into the corner of the net with Sullivan left motionless.
Leeds struggled to get back into the game and when Danny Pugh's shot was easily gathered by Carlo Nash it marked the end of a forgettable first half.
Shortly after the break Blackwell made his first change, bringing Ian Moore off and bringing Jermaine Beckford on. It could well have been Moore's last game for the club.
Beckford won a free-kick right on the edge of the penalty box after sub Kelvin Wilson had callously brought his good run forward to an abrupt halt. The Preston man received the first caution of the game and for their part Leeds should have done better but Blake blasted the shot into the wall.
From a corner straight afterwards Simon Walton should have come up with the equaliser but after meeting Danny Pugh's cross he sent his header into the side netting.
United's frustration was growing and Walton earned himself a yellow card for ironic applause at the referee's decision after he was pulled up for climbing over the back of a Preston defender.
Preston should have made it 2-0 with 75 minutes played. A cross into the area from the right was met on the stretch by Dichio but somehow he managed to put the ball over from six yard out.
A minute later the home side did grab their second, coming after an almighty goalmouth scramble. Chris Sedgewick's initial shot caused the danger as it was headed half-clear by Richardson, three or four players from both sides went for it as it came down and eventually Ormerod managed to poke it home from close range.
Right at the end of the game Beckford should have reduced the arrears to 2-1 after Griffiths send in a great cross for him to chase. Beckford's first touch was poor but he still had a chance and his toe-poke was well saved by Nash.
The result meant Leeds finished the season in 5th place and as a result are back at Deepdale on Monday 8th May for the second leg of the play-off semi-final, the first being at Elland Road next Friday.
MAN OF THE MATCH
The online vote
20% Steve Stone
19% Jermaine Beckford
12% Matthew Kilgallon
9% Gylfi Einarsson
9% Simon Walton
7% Neil Sullivan
5% David Healy
5% Danny Pugh
4% Sean Gregan
3% Ian Bennett
2% Ian Moore
2% Frazer Richardson
2% Joel Griffiths
1% Robbie Blake
1% Daniel Harding
1% Jonathan Douglas
Brian Stock, 38
Brett Ormerod, 77
Venue
Deepdale
Kick-Off Time
30 April 2006 1:30pm
Attendance
19,350
Pre-Match
United boss Kevin Blackwell made it clear his mind was on the play-offs themselves after making no less than eight changes for the final game of the regular season against Preston.
Blackwell rested the likes of Rob Hulse, Sean Derry, Eddie Lewis, Liam Miller, Gary Kelly, Stephen Crainey, and skipper Paul Butler. He gave rare starts to Frazer Richardson, Ian Moore, Simon Walton and Danny Pugh, whilst Sean Gregan came back into the team.
Steve Stone started his first game for the club since his recovery from an Achilles injury, but not in his usual right wing role and instead played as a central midfielder.
The bench too saw had a few faces who have not had many chances of late, namely Dan Harding, Gylfi Einarsson and Joel Griffiths.
The Match
Kevin Blackwell's interesting team selection was matched by a formation that provoked plenty of debate as to what it exactly was. Some went for a diamond 4-3-2-1, whilst others insisted it was more 4-2-3-1, with Moore the man upfront.
Whatever it had intended to be, it appeared not to work and quarter of an hour into the game it had changed to a more easily recognisable 4-3-3.
The first half itself was low on real action points, although it had started at a frenetic pace that barely died down until half-time.
Preston had the best early chances, Graham Alexander's cross after three minutes was headed goalward by former QPR and Sunderland striker Danny Dicho but Neil Sullivan held on well.
Three minutes later a 25 yard shot by Simon Whaley was turned wide by Sullivan's right hand as he dived to make the save.
Then Danny Pugh's clearance was charged down on the edge of the area and the ball fell for Paul McKenna, whose shot from the edge of the area only just cleared the bar.
Leeds first chance came on 17 minutes when Claude Davis clattered Moore to give away a free-kick 30-yards out but Healy could only fire high and wide from the set-piece.
Midway through the half Blake's free-kick was handled on the edge of the area to earn him another attempt from a better position, he did come close to hitting the target but his low drive still skidded wide of the target.
Only a great tackle by Sean Gregan inside the area prevented Brian Stock from getting past him with only Sullivan left to beat.
Preston's opener on 37 minutes came after Matthew Kilgallon was judged to have fouled Jason Jarrett five yards out from the penalty area.
Brian Stock too the free-kick and hit it low but around the wall and into the corner of the net with Sullivan left motionless.
Leeds struggled to get back into the game and when Danny Pugh's shot was easily gathered by Carlo Nash it marked the end of a forgettable first half.
Shortly after the break Blackwell made his first change, bringing Ian Moore off and bringing Jermaine Beckford on. It could well have been Moore's last game for the club.
Beckford won a free-kick right on the edge of the penalty box after sub Kelvin Wilson had callously brought his good run forward to an abrupt halt. The Preston man received the first caution of the game and for their part Leeds should have done better but Blake blasted the shot into the wall.
From a corner straight afterwards Simon Walton should have come up with the equaliser but after meeting Danny Pugh's cross he sent his header into the side netting.
United's frustration was growing and Walton earned himself a yellow card for ironic applause at the referee's decision after he was pulled up for climbing over the back of a Preston defender.
Preston should have made it 2-0 with 75 minutes played. A cross into the area from the right was met on the stretch by Dichio but somehow he managed to put the ball over from six yard out.
A minute later the home side did grab their second, coming after an almighty goalmouth scramble. Chris Sedgewick's initial shot caused the danger as it was headed half-clear by Richardson, three or four players from both sides went for it as it came down and eventually Ormerod managed to poke it home from close range.
Right at the end of the game Beckford should have reduced the arrears to 2-1 after Griffiths send in a great cross for him to chase. Beckford's first touch was poor but he still had a chance and his toe-poke was well saved by Nash.
The result meant Leeds finished the season in 5th place and as a result are back at Deepdale on Monday 8th May for the second leg of the play-off semi-final, the first being at Elland Road next Friday.
MAN OF THE MATCH
The online vote
20% Steve Stone
19% Jermaine Beckford
12% Matthew Kilgallon
9% Gylfi Einarsson
9% Simon Walton
7% Neil Sullivan
5% David Healy
5% Danny Pugh
4% Sean Gregan
3% Ian Bennett
2% Ian Moore
2% Frazer Richardson
2% Joel Griffiths
1% Robbie Blake
1% Daniel Harding
1% Jonathan Douglas