August Update...
Breaking News...
Leeds United have announced the signing of Scotsman Steven Smith. Smith, a promising left-back, joins from Glasgow Rangers in a deal believed to be worth £200,000. Manager J.C. Livesey is said to be delighted at winning the race for the player’s signature.
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Coca-Cola League One.
Leeds United 4 Exeter 1.
Leeds carried their fine pre-season form into the opening fixture of the new season -- demolishing a distinctly average Exeter side 4-1 in front of 24,983 spectators. Jermaine Beckford opened his account for the year with a freak goal after 3 minutes. Benjani double the advantage with a powerful header, before Luciano Becchio scored a well-placed shot on 24 minutes. Beckford killed the game off on the stroke of half-time -- a finely struck penalty sending the league favourites into a 4-0 lead at the break. The second-half was a rather more subdued affair -- Leeds took their foot of the pedal -- and Exeter finally managed to get a consolation goal in the dying seconds through Marcus Stewart.
Leeds gave debuts to Joe Lewis, Mark Wilson, Steven Smith, Benjani, John Fleck and Daniel Bogdanovic.
Two goal hero Jermaine Beckford deservedly picked up the Man of the Match Award.
Livesey Commented…
It was a good start to the new season. The lads played well and stuck to the formation and tactics throughout. I‘m very pleased to have started with such an emphatic victory and hope that it signifies the beginning of a successful campaign.
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Carling Cup First Round.
Leeds United 3 Carlisle United 0.
Leeds played hosts to their divisional counterparts Carlisle in an entertaining and full-blooded cup encounter. 28,156 turned up at Elland Road expecting to see a good flowing match -- they weren’t to be disappointed. Daniel Bogdanovic (16) and Jermaine Beckford (45, 75) scored the all important goals to send Leeds through to the next round.
Livesey Commented…
It was a good solid performance today. I’m happy for the team and, in particular, for Jermaine. I was pleased to see him fire home his 50th goal for Leeds. The fans love him here and he deserved his goals today.
Unsurprisngly, Beckford‘s performance earned him the Man of the Match Award.
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Coca-Cola League One.
Wycombe 1 Leeds United 1.
Despite a heavy defeat in their previous league fixture, Wycombe proved today that they don’t intend challenging for this season’s Wooden Spoon Award. A fine, all-action performance saw them dig out a precious and well deserved point against their illustrious opponents. New signing Daniel Bogdanovic gave the hosts an early lead -- popping up in the box to slot home after only 10 minutes. Jon-Paul Pittman was rewarded when he found himself open in the box on 49 minutes -- coolly slotting the ball past the stranded Joe Lewis.
Livesey Commented…
Wycombe put in a battling performance today and it was hard to break them down. Once Daniel scored, I thought we’d be too strong for them, but, credit where it’s due, Wycombe deserved their point today.
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Competition News -- Carling Cup.
Leeds have drawn Championship outfit Watford in the second round of the Carling Cup. The game will be played at Elland Road on Wednesday, 26th of August.
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Breaking News...
Danish giant’s Brondby have swooped to sign experienced goalkeeper Casper Ankergren from Leeds United. The fee involved is believed to be no more than £10,000. Ankergren is said to be happy at the move back to his homeland after falling down the pecking order at the Yorkshire club since the arrival of Joe Lewis from Peterborough.
Left-back Alan Sheehan also left Leeds today -- moving to Bradford City on loan until the end of the season.
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Competition News -- Carling Cup.
Leeds have been drawn against Darlington in the first round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy North. The game will be played at Elland Road on Tuesday, 1st September.
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Coca-Cola League One.
Walsall 1 Leeds United 4.
An efficient performance by the visitors saw them confidently overcome a lacklustre Walsall. The highlight of the game was undoubtedly a superb hat-trick from Leeds’ front-man Jermaine Beckford (24, 26 & 29 pen.) Midfielder Michael Doyle added to the lead with a placed shot on 66 minutes, before Walsall youngster Richard Taundry scored a consolation goal with a close range header.
Once again, Beckford went home with the Man of the Match Award.
Livesey Commented...
This was a decent performance from the team as a whole. Jermaine was brilliant again, but we mustn’t forget the overall contributions of everyone involved. I’m very happy with the squad and the atmosphere here.
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Coca-Cola League One.
Leeds United 1 Tranmere Rovers 0.
The home team showed their superiority in a 1-0 victory, but they could (and should) have scored more. Veteran centr-back Ian Goodison almost gifted Leeds a goal on 3 minutes, but managed to redeem himself by making a great last-ditch tackle. Tranmere dug their heals in and, when Michael Doyle received a red card for persistent fouling on 75 minutes, they must have fancied their chances of taking all three points. Sadly, they couldn’t rise to the challenge as Leeds delighted most of the 25,362 fans with a winning goal -- experienced striker Benjani came off the bench to score a header on 79 minutes.
Benjani was also awarded the Man of the Match Award.
Livesey Commented…
We struggled today, but I’m happy with the 3 points. We had to work hard throughout the match, especially once Michael got himself sent-off.
There was more good news for Leeds today, when Doyle and Beckford found themselves included in the League One Team of the Week.
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Carling Cup Second Round.
Leeds United 1 Watford 0.
Leeds progressed to the third round draw of the Carling Cup after a hard-earned victory over Championship outfit Watford. 28,399 turned up at Elland Road to watch an evenly matched encounter. Chances came and went for both sides and the game looked as if it were heading to extra-time until referee Mr. Stroud awarded the hosts a penalty on 83 minutes. Becchio stepped up confidently, but saw his shot saved by Scott Loach.
Extra Time…
Bogdanovic finally broke the duck after 113 hard-fought minutes and sent the Elland Road faithful into raptures. Watford were gutted -- their players flat-out, and they failed to recover. Leeds held out for a well-deserved win.
Livesey Commented…
Phew… that was a tough one. The players gave their all and I won’t be surprised if we’ve a few sore legs at training tomorrow. It was a fantastic victory. I’m delighted for them.
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Coca-Cola League One.
Colchester United 2 Leeds United 1.
Leeds United’s players and fans came away highly disappointed from their 2-1 defeat at the hands of Colchester.
Benjani fired the visitor’s ahead in the 21st minute -- during a spell of high pressure and slick football from the Yorkshire outfit.
Clive Platt equalised in the 72nd minute when his close range header flew past Joe Lewis. Colchester went from strength to strength and claimed the winning goal when Kevin Lisbie’s 78th minute header nestled in the back of the Leeds goal.
Livesey Commented…
I was disappointed at the end of this match. The team played well and deserved at least a draw. Colchester’s a hard place to get a result of late and it proved to be the same today.
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Competition News -- Carling Cup.
Leeds will pit their wits against Championship outfit Sheffield United in the third round of the Carling Cup. The game will be played at Elland Road on Wednesday, 23rd September.
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International Call-Ups.
Three Leeds players have received international recognition this month. Forward Daniel Bogdanovic has been called up to the Malta squad to face Cape Verde Islands and Sweden. The games will be played on the 4th and 9th of September. Defender Patrick Kisnorbo has also earned an international call-up this week. Patrick will fly out to join up with his Australian team-mates at the start of the upcoming month, whilst Alan Martin has been called up to the Scotland under 21s.
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Breaking News...
Leeds United have confirmed one last signing before the end of the transfer window. Manchester United’s Corry Evans, already a full international squad member for Northern Island, is said to be delighted at joining the club on loan until the end of the season.
Livesey commented…
I’m delighted with the loan signing of Corry. He is young and talented, and will provide me with strong defensive options in midfield.
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League Table.
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Manager’s thoughts…
All in all, it’s been a good start to the new season. Teams seem to up their game a little when they play against us and I’m pleased with how we've coped.
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Coming soon… September Updates.
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