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

     League One Fixtures for 2009/10 now updated 

Tues 29th. Leeds Utd 1-1 Carlisle. Ankergren, Hughes, Bromby (Kilkenny 38), Naylor, Kisnorbo, Snodgrass, Doyle, Howson (Prutton 66), Johnson, Becchio, (Showunmi 84) Beckford. Unused - Fielding, Grella, Michalik and Robinson.  United started off slowly against Carlisle even though they welcomed back Ankergren, Naylor and Becchio to the first team. Carlisle packed the midfield and had just Bridge-Wilkinson playing as the lone striker. Leeds went close through Becchio and Snodgrass but it was on 29 minutes that Doyle went to ground in the box and referee, Booth pointed to the spot. It was at best a soft penalty kick. Beckford stepped up and the keeper saved his poorly struck kick but he converted the rebound on 30 minutes. Greg Abbott was sent to the stand for complaining profusely. A few minutes later Snodgrass hit the inside of the post with a great effort. It was 1-0 to Leeds at half time following a poor first half. Injuries struck Leeds again with Bromby off injured. The second half saw Carlilse come more out of their shell and they had a few decent efforts without ever going close. Scott Dobie  came on as sub and headed home from a corner on 75 minutes. It was no more than the Cumbrians deserved. Leeds tried to implement some of the urgency that had been missing all night and forced some corners without really threatening. The game finished all square.  Simon Grayson : "Disappointed with the performance but you can't win every game We lacked urgency and looked tired, but I'm not complaining about the amount of games. Our performance didn't merit us winning the game. I would have taken eight wins and two draws from the first ten games. We didn't move the ball around quick enough but you have to give Carlisle credit. We lacked that little bit of quality and tempo. The crowd were fantastic. They got behind the side really well. It sets us up for the weekend and we'll go again. We are three points clear of other teams at this moment in time. We are disappointed tonight because of the standards we have set. They'll have tomorrow off and we'll get the team freshened up and we will have a crowd well into the thirties this weekend. Encouraging start to the season and I'm delighted were we are at this moment in time. Once again a good call by the manager. Many of us would have settled for four points from our last two matches, but most wouls have had the results reversed.  Elsewhere, Charlton lost 1-3 at Colchester, Mk Dons lost at Oldham and Bristol Rvs got a late winner against only drawing, Leeds extend their lead at the top to three points with Charlton coming to Elland Road on Saturday.  

Tues 29th. of Sept. Blackburn goalkeeper, Frank Fielding has joined Leeds on a one month emergency loan deal as cover for Ankergren while Shane Higgs recovers from injury. Fielding goes straight into the squad for the match v Carlisle Utd. 

Sat 26th of September. MK Dons 0-1 Leeds United. Higgs (Ankergren 62), Crowe (Michalik 9) Bromby, Kisnorbo, Hughes (Robinson  55), Doyle, Howson, Johnson, Beckford, Grella : Unused Subs - Naylor, Prutton, Kilkenny. (Showunmi istakenly not names on bench) . It's been quite a few days for Robert Snodgrass. He lead Liverpool's £8M defender, Dossena a merry dance at Elland Road on Tuesday, and followed it up with a  92nd minute winner against League One rivals, MK Dons. In truth United had not played well and it was a niggly first half which ended at 0-0 but saw Dons' best player Jason Puncheon red carded for a reckless two footed challenge on Doyle. Becchio didn't start for Leeds as his wife went into labour, and Enoch Showunmi was unfortunate that Simon Grayson had mistakenly omitted his name from the team sheet. He would have surely seen some action as Leeds were finding it frustratingly difficult to break down the former Wimbledon team. Beckford, Michalik and Grella went close but Leeds were not playing well and the home side looked comfortable, until Bradley Johnson floated over a 92nd minute free kick to see Snodgrass convert with a rare header. The roughly 4,500 travelling Leeds fans went delirious as they maintained their position at the top of League One. Elsewhere, Charlton won 2-1 at home to Exeter but chasing pack, Bristol Rvs and Huddersfield failed to win. Leeds are now six points clear of the third placed side, Bristol Rvs. Simon Grayson was pleased that United ground out the result, especially when his side lost both Jason Crowe and Shane Higgs to injury. Hopefully the latter will not be out for long, because Higgs has added so much quality to the side this season. In contrast the mistake prone Dane is an accident waiting to happen. On Tuesday Leeds play at home to Carlisle United while Charlton have a tricky tie at Colchester United. 

Tues Sept 22nd. Leeds United 0-1 Carling Cup. Att - 38,158 Higgs, Crowe, Hughes (Kilkenny 79), Kisnorbo, Michalik, Howson, Doyle (Showunmi 89), Snodgrass, Johnson, Becchio (Grella 81), Beckford. Unused Subs - Ankergren, Naylor, Prutton, Robinson. Out of Gillingham. Mk, Dons, Carlisle and Liverpool. there is no doubting that the latter match was the least important on paper. Football, however is played on grass. That said, you always want to see a good performance in such a high profile match, watched by over 38,000 in a packed Elland Road arena. Simon Grayson and every Leeds supporter can be proud of the home side who who pitted themselves superbly against a side that started with nine full internationals. Leeds played intelligently and skillfully and one has to say if a crazy off side and red card decision had gone their way, they could have been looking at a famous victory. Robert Snodgrass was immense in the first half with his deft trickery and sublime crosses wrapping Liverpool in knots. Doyle missed an easy header from six yards and Michalik rose like a colossus to head home a corner that may or not have been flicked on by Beckford. The linesman confirmed at half time that he had flagged Beckford offside when he was clearly onside. Liverpool's one clear chance in the first half produced a brilliant point blank save from Higgs. The second half started as the first half had finished with Leeds looking dominant. A long ball over the top found Beckford closing in on goal but he fluffed his chance. In League One he would have flicked it past the keeper with his left foot (not the right that he chose), but against quality opposition you rarely get two chances. Earlier Mascherano flung his elbow at the back of Beckford's head but referee Wilie, standing two yards away chose to ignore the obvious red card. Grella came on and had a half chance and there were one one or two wrong options taken when Leeds could have have scored, especially Beckford's scissors kick just over the bar when Snodgrass could have slid the ball past the keeper if found. All in all a terrific performance by Leeds who thankfully came through the 94 minutes without serious any injuries. I thought Paddy Kisnorbo was supreme at the back and at times Snodgrass was unplayable, he was that good. The critics will point to class telling in the end with a very good finish by N'Gog for the winner, and many will also say that Beckford can't do it against the top teams. I think that is harsh because his pace is a handful and a goalscorer is a goalscorer. He had the pace and strength to trouble Carragher and on another day he would have finished it off. We travel to MK Dons in confidence and if we can repeat that performance we will take three points. Simon Grayson has them marching on together. 

Sept 19th. Leeds United 4-1 Gillingham. Att  21,026- Higgs, Crowe (Michalik 67), Bromby, Kisnorbo, Hughes, Snodgrass (Kilkenny 67), Doyle, Howson, Johnson, Beckford, Becchio (Grella 80) Unused Subs - Ankergren, Prutton, Robinson, Showumni. United moved top of the table with an accomplished 4-1 victory over a hard working Gillingham side. It was another great performance from left sided midfielder, Bradley Johnson with two goals in the first 28 minutes. The Gills did not come to Elland Road to lie back. They had their own chances but it is tough coming up against the meanest defence in the division, marshaled by the best keeper by a country mile in League One. Jon Howson scored his first goal of the season (and Leeds third) one minute into the second half. In fairness Gillingham dominated possession for the next period and their goal on 50 minutes from Barcham was well deserved. Jermaine Beckford deserved his goal on 80 minutes after thundering the crossbar with an earlier effort. Seven wins and one draw from eight games is promotion winning form. Elsewhere, Norwich City did us  a favour by equalising well into injury time against early pace setters, Charlton who lead 2-0. Tuesday night brings Liverpool to Elland Road in a sold out Carling Cup tie, but more important to Leeds is the trip to MK Dons next week. Simon Grayson : "We're delighted to go top. It's still very early days but it's nice to be there, and it's nice to be on top. The main thing is staying up there and maintaining the standards we have set, and hopefully staying ahead of the pack. Being on top gives us a boos for Tuesday's game and a platform for the rest of the season. As I have said on more than one occasion I am incredibly proud of what the players are doing but noting is won at this stage. It's where we are in May that counts. We faltered a bit at times on Saturday but did enough to win the game. We knew Gillingham had pace and would come and have a go but Bradley got a couple of good goals in the first half (he is doing ever so well this season) and that puts us in a good position. The players had to focus on beating Gillingham because that is their bread and butter and they showed the right attitude. We are playing one of the best teams in the world on Tuesday but we will approach that game with a lot of confidence and belief". That's what I like about this guy. He never gets too high when we win and never gets too low when we lose. He always seems to maintain the right balance and the players are obviously playing for him. 

Sept 8th. League One Round up. Charlton failed to capitalise on Leeds result and had to come from behind to draw 1-1 at home to,  Southampton. Huddersfield fought out a 0-0 draw with Brentford and Bristol Rvs scored a last minute winner at home to Oldham Athletic to form a four point gap behind the leading two. 

Sept 7th. Southend 0-0 Leeds United.  Att - 10,123 (2,151 LUFC fans)Higgs, Crowe (Michalik 48), Kisnorbo, Bromby, Hughes, Snodgrass (Kilkenny 75), Howson, Doyle, Becchio (Grella 82), Beckford. Unused Subs : Ankergren, Prutton, Robinson, Showunmi. United's 100% form came to an end with a not too disappointing  point gained at Roots Hall. United never quite controlled the midfield in the match, as Southend were always in their faces. The first half saw few chances with the best falling to Southend on the 45th minute when Gardiner volleyed over. Leeds had efforts on goal from Snodgrass, Howson and Beckford. Our record has not been good at Southend and it looked to be getting worse when a penalty was correctly awarded for a foul by Bromby. Up stepped their top marksman, Barnard but Higgs (our unsung hero thus far in season 2009/10) made a fantastic save. Oh if we had Higgs last season I'm convinced automatic promotion could have been achieved. United threw on Kilkenny for the ineffective Snodgrass and we began to pass the ball  through midfield. Better still was the introduction of Grella for the poor Becchio. His pace alongside Beckford had the Shripmers all over the place. Beckford produced a decent save when he could have scored and Grella went close with two efforts also. A draw was perhaps a fair result and United went top at least for 18 hours. In truth I'm not disappointed with the draw. We would have lost this game last season. 

Sept 7th. Leeds have loaned out central defender, Paul Huntington to Stockport County for a month. 

Sept 6th. Everton have been ordered to pay Leeds United £500,000 for 16 year old Luke Garbutt who they poached from Leeds after United had developed the youngster. A football association tribunal was set up by the FA to determine the extent of compensation due to Leeds, after they had rejected Everton's offer of £200,000. Ken Bates must have been delighted with the timing of the tribunal in view of the recent Chelsea ruling. The panel ruled that Everton should stump up an initial £500,000 that could almost double with add ons to cover international appearances, club appearances, and overall achievements. Everton are committed to footing the bill after Garbutt turned down a scholarship at Leeds in favour of a move to Goodison. Everton felt the timing could not have been worse and that the cost of the 16 year old is excessive. Ken Bates will be smiling all the way to bank. No excuse now for Leeds to purchase Thorp Arch. 

Sept 5th. Leeds United 2-0 Stockport County. Att - 22,870. Higgs, Crowe, Michalik, Bromby (Robinson 64), Hughes, Snodgrass, Howson, Doyle (Kilkenny 42), Johnson, Grella (Showunmi 72), Becchio. Unused Subs : Ankergren, Prutton, Kandol, Huntington. Kisnorbo and Rui Marques were away on international duty and Beckford had a hamstring injury. In came Michalik and Bromby (making his debut) with Mike Grella playing up front alongside the ever present Becchio. Leeds had a couple of chances early on with Grella's touch letting him down for an effort inside the six yard box. On eight minutes he notched his first competitive goal for Leeds with a lovely side footed snap shot across the helpless goalkeeper. Lubo scored a second on 37 minutes after the keeper fluffed a cross. The young Stockport side huffed and puffed but never had the quality to hurt Leeds. United could afford to miss a penalty in the second half (Snodgrass) but in truth were below par in the second 45 minutes. That's six wins on the trot in the league as they lie just behind consistent Charlton on goal difference. Huddersfield won at MK Dons (a good win)  but at this early stage of the season are 5 points behind the top two, who are just edging away. Regarding Bromby, a decent debut and his long throw ins may reap some rewards during the season. One note of caution. We have missed six out of our last seven penalties. Any Robinson is the only flawless penalty take we seem to have, and he is not on the pitch often enough.. 

Sept 1st. The deadline is dead and gone and our best piece of business is the retention of one Jermaine Beckford's services until year end. Sure he can leave in January, but hopefully by then Leeds will be well on track to waiving goodbye to League One and Mr Beckford's contract will be radically amended. Rather than selling a striker, United added one to their ranks, South African born Davide Somma. The guy booked a one way ticket to the UK and impressed Simon Grayson so much that he earned himself a one year contract with United having the option of adding a second. The 24 year old impressed on trial scoring in behind closed doors friendlies versus Newcastle and Hull City. He scored goals with San Jose Earthquakes (with Darren Huckerby) and spent a couple of seasons in Italy. Will he be another Yeboah or Massinga ? Leigh Bromby claimed he didn't "take the decision lightly" moving to Leeds and was attracted by the ambition of the club he supported as a boy and also the four year contract. Going the other way is Alan Sheehan on a one month loan deal to Oldham and Tom Lees on loan to Accrington Stanley.  

                                                                  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.

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