This is the Louth Branch website. Always Leeds always loyal ! Edited by Gerry Cunningham          

     League One Fixtures for 2009/10 now updated 

Sunday Nov 29th. Kettering 1-1 FA Cup 2nd Rnd. Ankergren, Crowe, Michalik, Capaldi, Bromby, Howson, Doyle, Kilkenny, Snodgrass, Beckford, Grella (Becchio 71) - Unused Subs - A. Martin, Marques, Prutton, Showunmi, White, Prutton. United made sure they were in the draw (later to face Man Utd away) when Jermaine Beckford scored a deserved equaliser away to scalp chasing Kettering. It should never have come to that as Leeds hit the woodwork twice in the first half (through Beckford and Snodgrass) and the latter also had a header cleared off the line. Leeds conitnued their passing game in the second half but couldn't get past player-manager Harper who was having a stormer in goal. Disaster struck in 63 minutes when centre half, Roper got in between Michalik and the despairing dive of Ankergren to head the Non-League side in front. Leeds persisted to pass their way through Kettering and both Jason Crowe and Mickey Doyle were denied by super saves from Harper. Becchio came on for Grella in the last 20 minutes as Leeds pushed relentlessly forward. On 78 minutes United got what their football craved when Beckford fired home Snodgrass's excellent cross. Disappointingly, though Leeds never surged ahead with that relentless appetite to finish off the inferior side and in truth the match fizzled out. Grayson won't take this team lightly at Elland Road on Tuesday fortnight, when Naylor and Kisnorbo will be back. Capaldi had a steady debut but the jury is still out on Bromby. We go to Oldham on Tuesday night when the cup ties loanees will return. 

Thurs Nov 26th. Once again Simon Grayson was a busy man (as he said he would be) in the loan market as Leeds let three players go and took three players in. Alan Sheehan moved to Swindon Town until early January,Andrew Milne went to Darlington to link up with former Leeds coach, Steven Staunton and striker, David Somma got a decent loan move to Chesterfield to get games under his belt. So who came in ? Leeds made a decent loan signing in QPR winger, Hogan Ephraim who arrives until January 4th, with two goals this season in eight appearances for the Loftus Road club. He moved to QPR from West Ham in an £800,00 move last year. Grayson said : "He is quick and direct and can play in either wing. We have a busy time coming up and Hogan gives us competition for places". We also nabbed  28 year old N Ireland international left back, Tony Capaldi who is out of favour with Cardiff City. This may be a view to a longer term deal with Leeds as Cardiff have allowed him to play in the cup against Kettering Town. Grayson said : "Again it will provide us with competition at a busy time of the year, which is what I was looking for. He is a good experienced left sided player, and with Hughesy picking up an injury on Tuesday, we are a little bit light in that area, so Tony gives us a boost". He is also in until January 4th. Last but not least to arrive was 23 year old David Martin, a goalkeeper from Liverpool. He stays until Dec 28th. He is the son of former West Ham captain, Alvin Martin and made 28 apps for MK Dons three years ago before joining Liverpool. Simon Grayson : "David has plenty of experience for a young goalkeeper and comes in at an important time. It's a busy time and it's important we have the keepers here that can step in". Once again, attention to detail is provided by Simon Grayson as he appears to have applied shrewd knowledge ins his three captures. 

Weds Nov 25th. Leeds Reserves 2-1 Lincoln. The score was insignificant. What was important in the detail was the return to playing of one Luciano Becchio . And true to form he bagged a goal with David Somma scoring the other for Leeds. Jason Crowe also played and both players completed 90 minutes. 

Weds Nov 25th. We send our best wishes to Stephen McPhail our former midfielder who undergoes cancer treatment in the next few days. Hoping you are back in action soon, Stephen with that cultured left foot spraying passes all over the park. 

Tues Nov 24th. 2009. Leeds United 1-0 Leyton Orient. Att. 19,744. Team : Ankergren, Bromby, Michalik, Kisnorbo, Hughes (White 47), Howson (Grella 81), Doyle, Kilkenny, Snodgrass, Beckford, Vokes (Gradel 62) - Unused Subs - Martin, Prutton, Robinson, Somma. Simon Grayson named an unchanged side as Leeds hoped to continue with their grat form from the Brighton away fixture. Sadly, there was day and night in the difference as Leeds turned in an indifferent performance. Orient carved out decent chances for Townsend and Thornton but resolute defending, usually with Kisnorbo or Hughes at the centre, prevented the O's from taking a shock lead. Townsend (on loan from Spurs) was real handful and caused Leeds and Bromby in particular serious problems in the first half, as United were fortunate not to go in at least one behind. It was a tame first half performance from Leeds who failed to handle L Orient with one man up and quick players breaking from midfield. That said, the best chance of the first half fell to Vokes when put clear by Beckford, but a bad touch saw him fire his shot well over. Vokes has yet to fire on all cylinders for Leeds.  Leeds started better in the second half with the pacy White introduced on the left for Andrew Hughes. Snodgrass started to get more involved although a swirling wind made conditions difficult for both sets of players. On 62 minsutes Simon Grayson put on Max Gradel on place of Vokes. The Ivory Coast player quickley set about tormenting the L Orient defence with his pace and trickery. His freekcik was almost converted by Kisnrbo and then he shot over after good work by Snodgrass and Beckford had set him up. Leeds were looking dangerous at last. Leeds had two shouts for a penalty turned down, but Orient were definitely on the back foot. Leeds went three up top with Snodgrass and Grella (who was introduced for Vokes) playing alongside Beckford, and Snodgrass's appeals for a penalty were turned down when he claimed he was fouled in the box. Leeds continued to push players forward and their persistence was rewarded when  individual brilliance from  Gradel saw him twisting and turning in the box before firing home in front of the Kop and the two Oliphants. Four minutes of added time was allocated and Leeds continued to press with Snodgrass firing into the side netting. Another victory ground out with Leeds remaining six points clear and 20 matches at home unbeaten. Elsewhere,Charlton,  Norwich and Colchester won but MK Dons slipped up again. On the negative side I worry about Bromby at full back. He clearly is uncomfortable at right full, but the loan market and the return of Crowe may solve that. 

Nov 21. Brighton 0-3 Leeds United. Att - 7,615. Ankergren, Bromby, Hughes, Kisnorbo Howson 81 (Prutton), Doyle, Kilkenny, Snodgrass, Beckford (Gradel 90), Vokes (Showunmi 84), Unused Subs - Martin, Grella, Robinson, White. Gus Poyet landed right back down to Planet Earth today from the heights of last week's excellent 3-1 win at neighbours Southampton. It was a highly accomplished Leeds United machine that wiped the floor with Gus's boys. Leeds went into the game minus form players, Bradley Johnson and Richard Naylor who were nursing thigh and calf injuries. It made little difference as Michalik and Kisnorbo were in total control against Brighton's 15 goal scoring front duo of Murray and Forster. A sublime goal from Snodgrass put the Whites ahead after 27 minutes and Beckford latched on to a super Kilkenny 40 yard pass to make it 2-0 at the interval. Leeds were in cruise control with a comfortable passing game that was light years ahead of the opposition. Ankergren was all but a bystander in goal and Kilkenny made it a deserved 3-0 just before full time which sent a message to the rest of League One : "Leeds United are the team to catch and only second place is up for grabs". Elsewhere Colchester threw away a 2-0 lead at Oldham to snatch only a draw, Charlton drew 1-1 at Yeovil, MK Dons lost 2-1 at Southend and Norwich could only draw 2-2 at Soton. Huddersfield slipped into third with a 2-1 home win over Hartlepool. Simon Grayson "We said it to the players going out that this would be the hardest game of the season so far with Gus coming in. The players worked their socks off, pressed to a man, and we could easily have been four or five up at half time. We know we are fit and we have a desire to win games by three or four. When we came under pressure a little in the second half, we won the ball back and we broke quickly. Kilkenny's pass was out of this world for Beck's goal. If it was on the Premiership they would be showing it over and over, and Robert (Snodgrass) deserved his goal. Full testimony to the players. Neil (Kilkenny) had to be patient as I don't change the team too often. He took his chance against Grimsby last week. (Regarding the other scores in League One today) I'm not bothered about other results. We just try and concentrate on our own game and maintain our lead. We are there to be shot at. The fans are fantastic as they are every week, and it's nice to send them home happy today on such a long journey with a really good performance". 

Nov 10th. JPT Leeds 3-1 Grimsby Town. Att  10,430. Leeds beat Grimsby fairly comfortably to, progress to the Semi Final of the JPT Northern section. More to follow.

Nov 7th. Oldham Ath. 0-2 Leeds United. Ankergren, Hughes, Bronby, Kisnorbo, Naylor, Kilkenny, Doyle (White 90), Howson, Snodgrass, Beckford (Grella 87), Johnson. Unused Subs - Martin, prutton, Michalik, Robinson, Showunmi. Att - 5,552 (2,671). This tie entered the history books as the first ever FA Cup tie to be shown live on the internet. Vokes and Gradel weren't allowed play by their parent clubs, Kandol received a three match game for the handbags after the Yeovil game and Becchio wasn't risked as he neared full fitness. Leeds started rather slowly with Johnson playing up top, close to Beckford. Oldham came out of the blocks fast but lacked the guile and players to really cause the division's best defence any real trouble. Doyle went close with a curler and Ankergre made a fine save from Taylor, easily Oldham's best player. Some neat footwork by Snodgrass presented Howson with a chance on 37 minutes and Jon didn't disappoint with a superb strike. United's defence was well on top and our neat passing game was light years ahead of Oldham. That said we lacked width. The second half saw Oldham with more possession but they rarely created anything, and Grella sealed the win after a nice pass from substitute, Aidy White. 2-0 slightly flattered Leeds and the next day we were drawn away to Kettering in round 2. Grayson's professionalism will in my view account for Kettering unlike last year at Histon. Charlton failed to heed the warning and deservedly lost at Nortwhich Victoria. If I'm being picky, beckford needs to work harder at his first touch and holding the ball up. His concentration sometimes isn't there and Bromby is uncomfortable at right back. The wins keep coming and next up it's Grimsby which will cover Doyle's one match ban and the second of three for the unfortunate Kandol. Don't forget also that our match away to Swindon Town next week has been called off because of the amount of internationals United have had called up.

                                                            Oct 09 Update

                                                           Sept 09 Update

                                                            June 09 to Aug 09

Feb to May 09

Index January 09 

Index Nov 14th 08 to Dec 31st 08

Index June 08 to Nov 11th 08

Index Jan 08 to May 25th 08

For Archived Files for December 07 click here

For Archived Files from October to November 07 click here

For Archived Files from August to September 07 click here

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