This is the Louth Branch website. Always Leeds always loyal ! Edited by Gerry Cunningham. Happy new year to all Louth Branch members and families. There will be a Louth Branch magazine complete with Draw card winging its way to all members during the first week of January 2010. Draw will take place in early February.

     League One Fixtures for 2009/10 now updated 

Mon Dec 28th. Stockport Co 2-4 Leeds United. Att - 7,768 (3,077) Leeds. Ankergren. Hughes, Bromby, Kisnorbo, Naylor, Doyle (Howson 65), Snodgrass (Gradel 65), Johnson, Kikenny, Beckford, Becchio. Unused Subs -Martin,Crowe, Grella, Michalik. United got the perfect start after two minutes when Snodgrass's deflected shot went in past the hapless Fon Williams. County who were on a desperate losing streak ( 10 losing matches on the bounce) went level through Baker's free kick on twelve minutes. Johnson hit the crossbar with an super effort but it  was a missed County chance which nearly made it 2-1 to County at half time. Leeds were 2-1 down when Mullins headed home on 62 minutes. Gradel and Howson came on for Snodgrass and Doyle with 25 minutes to go. Two minutes later Beckford got his head to the ball before the keeper to make it 2-2. Kandol was thrown on for Becchio with 14 minutes remaining. With 11 minutes left on the clock Bradley Johnson missed a sitter with his head after good work by Gradel and Kilkenny. In fairness to Stockport, they were playing with loads of spirit. But this Leeds side has character in abundance and a Bromby screamer on 87 minutes made sure the three points were heading back across the Pennines. Fitting it was Bromby, because his earlier harsh booking denied him the appearance at Old Trafford in the FA Cup. In added on a time a Kandol flick put Beckford through and he slotted home to make it 4-2 and his 14th league goal of the season. Simon Grayson : "It was a decent game to watch, difficult afternoon, difficult surface but we have come out and won the three points using another element to our game. They were very good and obviously were wounded after the MK Dons result. The referee deemed the game playable and we didn't really need it called off because of the games coming up. At half time, I said I was delighted with the start but we had to keep battling away, win the second balls and play more along the sides. We are a strong powerful team and we felt that their youth may fade and that's how it panned out. It was a great goal by Leigh. He hasn't scored too many and he won't score a better goal. Becks did it again. We were made to scrape and battle but I don't think anyone can argue that we weren't worth the three points. The ref didn't make it easy for himself with early unnecessary bookings. He made a rod for his own back a bit. We'll speak to a few clubs about who we want to keep and let go. They have all contributed to the manner that contributed to the club getting results while they were here. It's great to finish the year on a positive manner and now we can concentrate on the Man United game and give the fans a treat".It was to be another healthy day in League One as Charlton could only draw 1-1 at Brentford, Norwich had their macth at Walsall postponed just one hour before kick off, but Colchester continued their decent run with a creditable 2-1 home win v Southampton and Huddersfield defeated MK Dons 1-0.

Sat Dec 26th. Leeds 3-1 Hartlepool Att - 30,191. Ankergren, Bromby, Naylor (Gradel 81), Kisnorbo, Hughes, Howson, Doyle (Johnson 72), Kilkenny, Snodgrass, Beckford, Becchio (Kandol 80). Unused Subs- Marin, Grella, Volkes and Michalik.Leeds started off on fire with Snodgrass almost scoring in the first minute. Bromby and Becchio then went close as the Whites won a procession of corners. United were dominant but the large attendance was subdued when Bjornesson headed home on 25 minutes. Boyd almost made it 2-0 a few minutes later with a fine shot. This was the first time Leeds had fallen behind at home all season. How would the react ? The lead lasted just 13 minutes as a Kilkenny shot was diverted in a different reaction by Beckford to score his first league goal since the 3-0 win at Brighton. Snodgrass and Beckford then went close as Leeds went for the jugular. Right on injury tome Becchio headed the ball against a defender who had the misfortune of having the final touch as Leeds went in 2-1 up going into the interval. Both sides went for it in the second half but it was beckford who rattled the crossbar. He wasn't to be denied his second when he latched on to a Becchio flick on and finished deftly on 70 minutes. United had several chances to make it 4-1 and gave Gradel, Johnson and Kandol run outs, but 3-1 it finished. In the early kick offs, Norwich had a decent win against Millwall, Colchester won at Southend but nine men Charlton salvaged a 2-2 draw at home to Swindon Town. Leeds go six points clear with their game in hand (at Swindon) and a goal difference of + 30. Sensational stuff to have 53 points before year end. Next up it's lowly Stockport County away on Monday, and the manager will be pleased to see Beckford back on form by scoring a brace.

Sat Dec 19th 2009. Leeds 1-0 Southampton. Att. 25,948 - Ankergren, Bromby, Naylor, Kisnorbo, Hughes, Howson (Johnson 75), Doyle, Kilkenny, Snodgrass, Beckford (Gradel 75) Becchio. Unused Subs - Martin, Crowe, Kandol, Ephraim, Grella.  In form Southampton came to Leeds confident of winning this clash of the two former Premiership sides. Like most sides that visit Elland Road these days, all they left with was a milky cup of tea at half time, as Leeds stretched their lead at the top to four points. It was a piece of Snodgrass magic on 76 minutes that divided the teams. Just a couple of minutes earlier, Leeds talisman, Jermaine Beckford spat out his dummy when Simon Grayson substituted him for Gradel. He declined to shake the hand of the manager and stormed down the tunnel. It was the only disappointment on offer as Leeds went into Christmas with a valuable three points under their belt. Simon Grayson said he would "speak to Jermaine on Monday about the disrespect that he  showed to his team-mates and would deal with it in house". The crowd let Beckford know whose side they were on :"There's only one Simon Grayson". As with so many of his substitutions this season, it worked a dream as space was created for Snodgrass to score a beauty. Leeds had the best chances in a lively first half and Beckford should have scored when clean through. But Leeds who played nearly all the best football should have scored before half time when Becchio by his standards missed an easy header after a glorious move. Another Snodgrass cross a few minutes later saw Beckford miss with an easy header. Just before half time Saints nearly scored only for a superb Hughes interception, and then Leeds broke and Beckford fluffed his bicylce kick just three yards from goal. The second half started with Leeds still on top and Howson was denied by a super save from a sizzling shot from outside the box. Minutes later Snodgrass slipped Kilkenny through and his cross evaded the sliding Becchio by inches. Southampton were under enormous pressure and it was  Howson again who  beat two players to curl a shot from the corner of the penalty area just around the post in front of the Kop. When Soton did break they found Kisnorbo, Naylor, Hughes and Bromby in brilliant form. It was then that Grayson made his double substitution of Gradel and the returning Bradley Johnson for Howson and the disconsolate Beckford. Howson was having words with Beckford as he slumped off with the look of a man headed for the gallows rather than a warm shower. It mattered not as Gradel and Johnson combined to put pressure on the Saints defence who headed out to Snodgrass on the corner of the area. He feinted to go left and the two defenders had to buy a ticket to get back into the ground as he curled a beauty to the right top corner with Bialkowski standing motionless. There was just 14 minutes left on the clock and even the die hard Saints fans could not have said that it wasn't deserved. With just second left on the clock, Saints top scorer Lambert for once evaded the Leeds defence but his shot trickled past the post. It would have been a travesty had Southampton leveled. Leeds have hit 50 points before Christmas, a tremendous statistic, and the two Ballantines were there to see it. Elsewhere a 3-0 score line at Carrow Road more than flattered Norwich versus Huddersfield, and Charlton fought back from 2-0 down against 10 man Millwall to draw 4-4 after being 3-2 and 4-3 up with minutes to play. Leeds look forward to their next set of fixtures when they play against the supposed "lesser" sides of Hartlepool, Stockport County, Tranmere Rvs, Wycombe Wands and Exeter City. Only H'pool are in the top 11. Leeds will go into these matches in huge confidence with big competition for all places in the squad. 

Tues 15th Dec. Leeds 2-0 Accrington Stanley. Att - 12,696. D. Martin, Crowe, Naylor, Michalik, Hughes, Snodgrass (Kisnorbo 77) Prutton, Kilkenny, Ephraim, Kandol (Gradel 61) Grella (Vokes 61) Unused subs - Ankergren, Doyle. A goal in either half by Ephraim and Kilkenny brought Leeds into the Northern JPT two legged final against Carlisle United. Leeds made nine changes from the side that drew 0-0 at Brentford but were still too strong for their League two guests. It is a sign of the quality squad available to Simon Grayson that he can chop and change several players (in such abundance)and yet win matches, this time against a side in terrific form in League Two. It was also good to see inspirational captain, Richard Naylor complete a valuable 90 minutes. 

Sat Dec 12th. Brentford 0-0 Leeds United. Ankergren, Hughes, Bromby, Kisnorbo, Capaldi, Howson (Crowe 84) Doyle, Kilkenny, Gradel (Ephraim 76)  Beckford, Becchio (Kandol 75). Unused subs - Martin, Naylor, Michalik, Grella. United played on perhaps their most difficult pitch so far this season and just the crossbar separated both sides as (Beckford hit it with a fine effort) in the first half. Howson went close also but chances were at a premium. not many sides have left Griffin park with three points.  The best chance of the match fell to Jermaine Beckford when he missed when clean through. The second half saw Becchio hit the bar but Leeds didn't do enough to win. Snodgrass's flair was badly missed and sometimes, Max Gradel is better utilised coming on as sub rather than starting. Simon Grayson : "We had to battle and scrape today but you have to battle like that if you want to do well in this league. It's not an easy place to come but we have another clean sheet. We'll change the team around again on Tuesday night. If we had put away some of our early chances (especially when Jermaine was clean through) we would have won the game comfortably. We lacked composure in the final half at time but it didn't quite happen today. We'll see how the legs are when we get back to Leeds because it's a game we want to win on Tuesday night and be just two games away from Wembley". Elsewehere, Norwich won at Stockport, Colchester won last night at Brighton but Noriwch could only draw 3-3 at Yeovil. 

Tues Dec 8th. Leeds 5-1 Kettering Town (aet) Att - 10, 670. Ankergren, Hughes (Grella 106), Bromby, Michalik, White (Capaldi 56), Howson, Doyle, Kilkenny, Snodgrass, Beckford, Becchio (Kandol 76). Unused Subs - Martin, Crowe, Prutton, Marques. If does was a boxing match the live ITV 4 FA Cup 3rd round replay would have been stopped at half time as only Becchio's 20th minute header separated the sides. Leeds had countless chances from Beckford, Becchio, Kilkenny and Snodgrass even though the latter players both hit the woodwork. But it's a "funny ol game"and ex Leeds player, Anthony Elding headed home an unlikely equaliser on 62 minutes. Beckford continued to waste chances and the small Elland road crowd became nervy as the Non-Leaguers started to believe. Extra time came and enter Mike Grella who came on after 106 minutes of play and fired home brilliantly after 112 minutes. Class and fatigue began to tell and Kandol headed home excellently after 119 minutes. Grella scored a brilliant fourth on 125 minutes and four minutes later an off-side Beckford made it 5-1. A fourth round cup tie at Old Trafford awaits Leeds and a possible �750,000 windfall. 

Sat Dec 5th. Leeds 2-2 Huddersfield Town. Att - 36,723. Ankergren, Crowe, Bromby, Michalik, Capaldi, Howson, Doyle, Kilkenny (Gradel 63), Snodgrass (Ephraim 86), Beckford, Vokes (Becchio 63). Unused subs - Martin, Prutton, Grella, Marques. Once again a hell of a crowd at Elland Road, this time bolstered by many Louth Branch members from Carrick, Ardee and Ravensdale. The Terriers have been something of a bogey side for United having won the last three meetings, and this time Leeds were lucky to escape with an draw. It started off very good as Snodgrass pranced on to a keeper mistake to put Leeds ahead after just two minutes. Huddersfield had chances to make it level and did so on 48 minutes through Novak. Huddersfield controlled the midfield for much of the game ans it was no surprise when Gradel replaced Kilkenny on 63 minutes. Three minutes later he put Leeds 2-1 ahead after good work by Beckford against the keeper. Rhodes deservedly made it 2-2 on 78 minutes even though Leeds could have been 3-1 up earlier withe efforts by Snodgrass and Beckford. It could have been worse when Pilkinkton smashed a free kick against Ankergren's crossbar. Both managers were happy with the draw. For Leeds Simon Grayson will be concerned about how we were over powered in midefield, and this could be an area he addresses in January.

Tues Dec 1st. Oldham 0-2 Leeds United. Att - 7,793 (4,151 Leeds) Ankergren, Crowe, Bromby, Michalik, Capaldi, Howson, Prutton, Kilkenny, Ephraim (Snodgrass 74), Gradel (Grella 87), Vokes (Becchio 77), - Unused Subs - Martin, Beckford, Marques, White. Larry did tinkerman with his squad and once again it paid off in front of more Leeds fans than the home support. Heavy rain dictated conditions and Leeds had the chances, but it was 37 minutes before Max Gradel put Kilkenny in to put United one up. Flahavan was the busy keeper in the second period also but he couldn't stop Becchio coming on and making it 2-0 on 83 minutes. Leeds were more than 2-0 worthy winners. The only disappointment being that Vokes again couldn't net despite having some clear cut chances. Elsewhere the other big guns won but Huddersfield could only draw 3-3 with Tranmere and MK Dons lost again.                

Nov 09 Update

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

For previous news stories, please click here.

For what you think of Leeds, click here to send in your rants and I'll include them in the "Rants" page.