Leedsunited.com 29/8/09
BECKS BAGS WINNER AT COLCHESTER
29 Aug 2009
United maintain 100 per cent start to season...
COLCHESTER 1 (Lisbie 57 pen), UNITED 2 (Johnson 47, Beckford 65)
Colchester: Williams, Maybury, Okuonghae, Baldwin, Tierney, Vincent (Perkins 75), Fox (Wordsworth 84), Izzet, Hackney, Vernon (Platt 67), Lisbie. Subs: Cousins, Thomas, Holt, Lockwood.
United: Higgs, Crowe, Marques (Michalik 87), Kisnorbo, Hughes, Snodgrass (Prutton 80), Doyle, Howson, Johnson, Beckford (Showunmi 90), Becchio. Subs: Ankergren, Kilkenny, Grella, Robinson.
Referee: D Phillip
Booked: Maybury, Izzet, Vincent, Hackney, Tierney (Colchester), Johnson, Beckford (United)
Att: 8810
Simon Grayson welcomed back Luciano Becchio to his starting line-up as United went looking for a record-equalling seventh successive victory to start the new season.
Just as with last season, United's presence attracted another big crowd to the Weston Homes Community Stadium, and the crowds outside ensured there were a number of spaces inside the away end as the teams emerged from the tunnel.
And it was Leeds who threatened first in the contest when Becchio tested Colchester goalkeeper Ben Williams with a header, following a Robert Snodgrassfree-kick.
Jermaine Beckford also had the ball in the net inside the opening seven minutes, but he was denied by an offside flag after being picked out by a clever ball from Micky Doyle.
It was an entertaining start, though, and Shane Higgs made an early save when he pushed a David Fox strike around the box after Colchester moved the ball forward quickly.
On 15 minutes, Beckford had the all in the net again following another good build-up involving a delightful threaded pass from Becchio. But, once again, the United striker was denied by an offside flag, prompting an animated protest from Becchio.
Next up, home goalkeeper Williams made a block with his legs to deny Beckford, who latched on to a ball over the top, swivelled, and delivered another powerful shot on target. Jonny Howson also screwed a shot wide from the edge of the box after Colchester failed to clear their lines.
Once again, United's work-rate shone through during the opening half and, when in possession, the home side were forced backwards due to the harrying and pressing from Grayson's men. The game was also littered with free-kicks during the opening period, making it a stop-start affair.
The referee did pull a yellow card on former United defender Alan Maybury on 38 minutes for a foul which provoked a reaction from Bradley Johnson. As the ball was swung in for the free-kick, Beckford was booked after a Colchester defender hit the deck. Beckford argued he was the initial victim.
Colchester had a shot moments before the interval, Ashley Vincent firing over after the home side were bizarrely awarded a corner when Higgs collected a shot which appeared to have gone out of play.
On the stroke of half-time, Snodgrass came close to breaking the deadlock when he sent a free-kick from distance fizzing over the top of the Colchester goal.
And it was another Snodgrass free-kick, 90 seconds into the second half, that provided the opening goal of the game. Johnson was unmarked in the box and was able to head home his third goal in as many league games to give United the advantage.
Colchester had an immediate chance to respond, courtesy of yet another free-kick, but Higgs proved equal to Kemal Izzet's strike, making a fine reflex save.
The home side were handed another opportunity on 56 minutes when Rui Marques was seemingly adjudged to have fouled Kevin Lisbie in the box, and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Lisbie duly stepped up and converted the chance to make it 1-1.
Tensions were already high on the pitch and in the moments following the penalty, two Colchester players were booked and the referee halted play at another free-kick due to pushing in the penalty box.
But it was Leeds who retained the coolest of heads, and it was Mr Cool himself who fired United back in front on the 65th minute. It was Beckford who reacted quickly in the box to slam the ball home to restore United's advantage.
The goal promoted a couple of changes for the home side, but as the game entered its final 15 minutes, United were looking solid on the back of a one-goal advantage. Grayson also introducedDavid Prutton on 80 minutes, in place of the hard-working Snodgrass.
United almost made it 3-1 with six minutes to go when Becchio sent a screamer just wide of the upright after some a great touch by Johnson.
As the clock started to tick down, Marques, who picked up a knock, was replaced by Lubo Michalik, and Enoch Showunmi came on for Becchio.
Four minutes were added on, but with Colchester looking unlikely to force anything, it took a great tackle from Pat Baldwin to deny Beckford after a cushioned header by Prutton.
At the other end, there was still time for Patrick Kisnorbo to make a good block while Howson showed good housekeeping skills to tidy up another raid by the hosts.
And that proved to be the last action of the game as United recorded a seventh successive victory and a fifth in the league to keep the 100 per cent record intact.
BECKS BAGS WINNER AT COLCHESTER
29 Aug 2009
United maintain 100 per cent start to season...
COLCHESTER 1 (Lisbie 57 pen), UNITED 2 (Johnson 47, Beckford 65)
Colchester: Williams, Maybury, Okuonghae, Baldwin, Tierney, Vincent (Perkins 75), Fox (Wordsworth 84), Izzet, Hackney, Vernon (Platt 67), Lisbie. Subs: Cousins, Thomas, Holt, Lockwood.
United: Higgs, Crowe, Marques (Michalik 87), Kisnorbo, Hughes, Snodgrass (Prutton 80), Doyle, Howson, Johnson, Beckford (Showunmi 90), Becchio. Subs: Ankergren, Kilkenny, Grella, Robinson.
Referee: D Phillip
Booked: Maybury, Izzet, Vincent, Hackney, Tierney (Colchester), Johnson, Beckford (United)
Att: 8810
Simon Grayson welcomed back Luciano Becchio to his starting line-up as United went looking for a record-equalling seventh successive victory to start the new season.
Just as with last season, United's presence attracted another big crowd to the Weston Homes Community Stadium, and the crowds outside ensured there were a number of spaces inside the away end as the teams emerged from the tunnel.
And it was Leeds who threatened first in the contest when Becchio tested Colchester goalkeeper Ben Williams with a header, following a Robert Snodgrassfree-kick.
Jermaine Beckford also had the ball in the net inside the opening seven minutes, but he was denied by an offside flag after being picked out by a clever ball from Micky Doyle.
It was an entertaining start, though, and Shane Higgs made an early save when he pushed a David Fox strike around the box after Colchester moved the ball forward quickly.
On 15 minutes, Beckford had the all in the net again following another good build-up involving a delightful threaded pass from Becchio. But, once again, the United striker was denied by an offside flag, prompting an animated protest from Becchio.
Next up, home goalkeeper Williams made a block with his legs to deny Beckford, who latched on to a ball over the top, swivelled, and delivered another powerful shot on target. Jonny Howson also screwed a shot wide from the edge of the box after Colchester failed to clear their lines.
Once again, United's work-rate shone through during the opening half and, when in possession, the home side were forced backwards due to the harrying and pressing from Grayson's men. The game was also littered with free-kicks during the opening period, making it a stop-start affair.
The referee did pull a yellow card on former United defender Alan Maybury on 38 minutes for a foul which provoked a reaction from Bradley Johnson. As the ball was swung in for the free-kick, Beckford was booked after a Colchester defender hit the deck. Beckford argued he was the initial victim.
Colchester had a shot moments before the interval, Ashley Vincent firing over after the home side were bizarrely awarded a corner when Higgs collected a shot which appeared to have gone out of play.
On the stroke of half-time, Snodgrass came close to breaking the deadlock when he sent a free-kick from distance fizzing over the top of the Colchester goal.
And it was another Snodgrass free-kick, 90 seconds into the second half, that provided the opening goal of the game. Johnson was unmarked in the box and was able to head home his third goal in as many league games to give United the advantage.
Colchester had an immediate chance to respond, courtesy of yet another free-kick, but Higgs proved equal to Kemal Izzet's strike, making a fine reflex save.
The home side were handed another opportunity on 56 minutes when Rui Marques was seemingly adjudged to have fouled Kevin Lisbie in the box, and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Lisbie duly stepped up and converted the chance to make it 1-1.
Tensions were already high on the pitch and in the moments following the penalty, two Colchester players were booked and the referee halted play at another free-kick due to pushing in the penalty box.
But it was Leeds who retained the coolest of heads, and it was Mr Cool himself who fired United back in front on the 65th minute. It was Beckford who reacted quickly in the box to slam the ball home to restore United's advantage.
The goal promoted a couple of changes for the home side, but as the game entered its final 15 minutes, United were looking solid on the back of a one-goal advantage. Grayson also introducedDavid Prutton on 80 minutes, in place of the hard-working Snodgrass.
United almost made it 3-1 with six minutes to go when Becchio sent a screamer just wide of the upright after some a great touch by Johnson.
As the clock started to tick down, Marques, who picked up a knock, was replaced by Lubo Michalik, and Enoch Showunmi came on for Becchio.
Four minutes were added on, but with Colchester looking unlikely to force anything, it took a great tackle from Pat Baldwin to deny Beckford after a cushioned header by Prutton.
At the other end, there was still time for Patrick Kisnorbo to make a good block while Howson showed good housekeeping skills to tidy up another raid by the hosts.
And that proved to be the last action of the game as United recorded a seventh successive victory and a fifth in the league to keep the 100 per cent record intact.
