Leedsunited.com 1/3/08
THAT WINNING FEELING!
SWINDON 0, UNITED 1
United boss Gary McAllister welcomed Neil Kilkenny back to his midfield and Bradley Johnson returned to the left flank with Peter Sweeney missing out.
Worryingly, new loan signing Steve O'Halloran, who was named in the original starting line-up, limped out of the warm-up 20 minutes before kick-off, leaving the boss with a late dilemma. Fellow left-back Alan Sheehan, who wasn't named in the squad, emerged from the tunnel to join the warm-up.
That prompted a late change to the Leeds team with Frazer Richardson stepping into the starting line-up, and Sheehan being added to the subs bench.
It was an untidy opening to the contest - United kicked-off playing into the wind - and it was Swindon who had the first opportunity when Lee Peacock lashed a shot over the top. Jermaine Beckford also put one over the top from close range on 10 minutes after a David Prutton free-kick.
Swindon suffered an early injury blow themselves when centre-back Patrick Kanyuka limped out of the game on 17 minutes, Jerel Ifil coming on as his replacement.
When Leeds threatened again, Tresor Kandol had a shot deflected wide on 22 minutes, but much to the surprise of both sets of players, referee Chris Foy awarded a goal-kick. Moments later, Beckford picked up a yellow card, following a robust challenge after the striker was crowded out in the Swindon box.
Leeds were starting to look the better of the two sides and Kandol made it 1-0 with a terrific header in the 25th minute. Prutton produced a superb delivery and Kandol's header was perfectly placed to leave Swindon goalkeeper Phil Smith with no chance.
Prutton was again involved shortly after the half-hour when Johnson headed a cross narrowly wide after more good build-up play by United.
When Swindon threatened, Rui Marques made a good challenge to thwart the hosts. But, United had an escape on 39 minutes when Marques conceded a corner. Christian Roberts' delivery was allowed to find Simon Cox inside the six-yard box, but the Swindon man somehow headed over the top when it looked easier to score.
The referee added on two extra minutes at the end of the half, and on the stroke of half-time Kandol was denied by an offside flag after a delightful ball from Kilkenny.
Both sides traded early attacks at the start of the second period, and Lubo Michalik, making use of the wind, tried a cheeky downfield shot from a full 60 yards which almost caught Swindon keeper Smith napping.
At the other end, Billy Paynter headed wide after Leeds failed to clear and as play moved quickly Kandol appeared to have a decent penalty shout waved away when he tumbled under pressure from a Swindon defender.
As the game moved into the final half-hour, United were having some defending to do as Swindon looked to force a way back into the game. Darren Kenton, Kandol, and Michalik all made timely clearances.
But when United came forward, Beckford almost got on the end of a neat ball threaded through by Jonny Howson. And on 70 minutes, Smith prevented Prutton from making it 2-0 when he tipped away an inswinging corner underneath his own bar.
Ankergren performed a similar rescue mission at the other end when he saved well to deny Roberts an equaliser.
With 11 minutes remaining, McAllister introduced Thompson in place of Kilkenny.
And it was United who were next to go close on 81 minutes when Howson tried his luck from the edge of the box with a shot that beat Smith but flew inches over.
Three minutes of stoppage time were added on at the end of the contest, but there were no further dramas and McAllister was able to celebrate a first win as United manager.Daily Mail 29/2/08
We've agreed to '15-point' arbitration under duress, reveals Leeds chairman Bates
Leeds chairman Ken Bates has revealed the club have agreed "under duress" to the Football League's offer of a private arbitration hearing into their 15-point deduction.
The league's governing body made the offer earlier this week giving Leeds a chance to challenge the 15-point penalty that was imposed on the Whites in August for breaching insolvency rules.
The arbitration panel will consist of one club representative, one Football League representative and an impartial party but Bates revealed Leeds had reluctantly accepted the offer to hold the trial in private.
"We have agreed, under duress, to arbitration in private but what have they got to hide?" Bates said.
"We believe this should be conducted in the open because people have a right to know. This is supposed to be about transparency. "But we won't be dragging out heels - the League have delayed things over six months, and we want the matter resolved as quickly as possible."

Yorkshire Post 27/2/08
Exclusive: League make deadline-day offer to Leeds
By Richard Sutcliffe
LEEDS United's quest to overturn their 15-point deficit took a stunning twist last night when the Football League invited the club to arbitration.
The Yorkshire Post can exclusively reveal that solicitors acting on behalf of the League made the offer on the day their deadline to respond to a High Court writ elapsed.
If Leeds agree to the proposal, a date will be set for a three-man panel to meet and hear arguments from both parties.
The panel would consist of a neutral Court of Appeal judge plus one representative apiece nominated by United and the League.
With the League One season having just over two months remaining, the earliest date possible would suit all concerned.
The League are making no comment on the legal action, but chairman Lord Mawhinney promised last week, in a letter circulated to all member clubs, to fight the writ "robustly".
Speaking to the Yorkshire Post from Monaco last night, United chairman Ken Bates said: "The letter arrived from the League's solicitors in the morning suggesting that this should go to arbitration with a Court of Appeal judge.
"To quote their words, 'impartiality and independence will be guaranteed and the competence of the tribunal will be par excellence'. Impartiality and independence is what we have been arguing for all along."
Asked whether the club will accept the offer of arbitration, Bates replied: "We only got the letter a couple of hours ago so we will have to discuss what our next move is.
"But, clearly, this matter has to be resolved sooner rather than later or they will have to print two league tables – one with minus 15 and one without.
"What makes me laugh is that it has taken six months to get to this position, six months in which the League have refused to discuss the matter with us.
"Only now, with the writ having been issued, do they instruct their lawyers to come back to us.
"Not only that, it is actually three weeks since we served the writ. Under the law, the League had a week to say they had got it and then another two weeks to respond. And they choose the 21st day to respond.
"The delay has helped no one. It will be interesting to see Lord Mawhinney being cross examined.
"It is a long overdue development and the pleasing thing from our point of view is that a Court of Appeal judge will hear it. After a Law Lord, they are the highest in the land.
"The decision to deduct us 15 points was purely one born of self-interest on behalf of the other clubs."
Leeds, who were relegated after being deducted 10 points in May for going into administration, were hit with the further 15-point penalty in August for what the League board considered to be a failure to follow insolvency policy.
At a subsequent meeting of the other 71 member clubs, the decision was upheld with only five clubs backing United's call not to be punished at all and 64 voting against. It is understood Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric missed the vote due to being late, while Bury did not send a representative to the meeting in London.
The Elland Road club have argued all along that this was unfair with self-interest clouding the voting, especially among all their League One rivals.
Some chairmen such as Bradford City's Julian Rhodes have publicly backed United's fight and Bates believes this, together with 20,000 names having been added to an on-line Downing Street petition since Friday, is a sign that public opinion is starting to change.
The Leeds chairman said: "There will always be those who say 'b****r Leeds, it is their problem'.
"But I believe there are many more who believe this is not a football issue, but one about justice and fairness."Bradford are serious rivals to ourselves and next door neighbours, but they have still shown their support.
"The support is very encouraging. People are beginning to realise that this isn't about Leeds United and that 'it could be us next'. Luton and Bournemouth are already in administration and Rotherham are suggesting they could go into administration."

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