Leedsunited.com 28/10/08

SUNK AT SOUTHEND

 29 Oct 2008

Leeds slip to another away defeat...

SOUTHEND UNITED 1 (Harding 18)  LEEDS UNITED 0

Southend: Federici, Francis, Clarke, Barrett, Revell (McCormack 83), Robson-Kanu, Christophe, Betsy, Harding, Laurent (Scannell 75), Sawyer (Grant 80). Subs not used: Walker, Sankofa

United: Ankergren, Richardson, Michalik, Telfer, Parker, Kilkenny (Robinson 66), Douglas, Delph (Snodgrass 66), Howson, Beckford, Becchio. Subs not used: Lucas, Prutton, White

Referee: P. Miller

Att: 10,132  (1,988 Leeds)

 

United fielded an unchanged side after Saturday's 3-0 win against Walsall in the hope of making it three wins in a row, with Luciano Becchio looking to find the net for the 5th game in succession.

Dougie Freedman failed to recover in time to take his place in the Southend side against his former teammates and Lee Barnard also missed out which was a further blow to the home side. Former Leeds player Dan Harding took his place in the side at left back.

 

Leeds started the brighter of the two sides attacking the goal at the opposite end from the Leeds fans, who were in good voice early on, and forced the game's first corner inside a couple of minutes. Douglas had a chance after 5 minutes, but dragged his shot just wide of the right hand post from 20 yards.

Southend started to come into the game after 10 minutes and Francis Laurent, making his first start for the club, forced Casper Ankergren into two good saves, the first when he cut in from the lett and bent a right foot shot that Ankergren had to stretch to his left to push round the post.    

United fell behind in the 18th minute after good work again by Laurent forced a free kick on the right hand side of the box. Former Leeds player Dan Harding then stepped up to curl a superb left footed free kick into the top corner.

Southend continued to have the upper hand after the goal and should have made it 2-0  after Laurent again forced a good save from Casper Ankergren who palmed the ball into the path of Kanu, who then blasted over with the goal at his mercy.

After the opening half hour Leeds were fortunate to be only a goal down after concerted pressure from Southend resulted in numerous balls flashing across the Leeds goalmouth.

Leeds started to give their back four some respite as the midfield began to get a foothold in the game, which resulted in Howson forcing Federici into his first save of the game after 35 minutes. Good work by Killkenny on the edge of the Southend box as he beat his man and played Howson in on goal, be it a tight angle from the right side. Howson shot was straight at the Southend keeper.  

Jonathan Douglas then had Leeds best chance of the game as the ball was pulled back to him on the edge of the box but he could only hook his shot wide of post.

Fabian Delph then forced Federici into a great save as his superb 25 yard strike was tipped one handed round the left hand post.

After getting back into the game in the last 10 minutes of the half and creating a few chances, including a Beckford header that was just over the bar, Southend probably ended the stronger and could have had a penalty in the last minute of the half as Laurent, once again causing problems, turned Lubo Michalik in the box and appeared to be pulled down, only for referee Miller to wave the home side's cries away.

Half Time  Southend 1 Leeds 0

Similar to Saturday's game against Walsall, Leeds started the second half strongly with Luciano Becchio crossing from the left and Howson heading down for Kilkenny to strike a right footed volley from 10 yards that was excellently saved again by Federici, who pushed the ball over the bar.

In the opening 10 minutes of the second half, Leeds continued their bright start with good sharp passing without creating a clear cut chance. Then against the run of play, Harding forced a great save from Ankergren as he bent another free kick that was heading for the top corner before Casper's intervention.

In an ever increasing end to end start to the half, Alex Revell was sent clean through on goal only to clip his shot just wide of the post.

As the half grew older the game started to get scrappy and chances became few and far between and on 66 minutes Gary McAllister made a double substitution, replacing Kilkenny and Delph with Robinson and Snodgrass.

Robinson's impact was almost immediate as he found himself in a good position just inside the box, only for his strike to be deflected into the keepers arms.

With 10 minutes remaining Leeds really started to press and pressure the Southend goal, Snodgrass and Robinson combining well down the right wing, only for Snodgrass's floated cross to avoid everyone in the box. As Leeds continued to push, Southend still looked dangerous as they by passed the midfield and looked to get their frontmen in behind the Leeds defence.

Leeds struggled to create any clear chances in the remaining minutes even though they were now dominating possession and sank to their third straight league loss away from Elland Road. All in all it was a disappointing second half performance and Southend probably deserved their win.

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