ITV 8/11/09
Grayson hails player's professionalism
Leeds boss Simon Grayson hailed his side's "professional performance'' as they carried their league form into the FA Cup first round to complete a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Oldham.
Jonathan Howson's spectacular opener gave Oldham a mountain to climb and the home side were finally killed off by substitute Mike Grella. In a game of little goalmouth action, Leeds were the stronger outfit - no surprise considering they are well ahead of Oldham in the League One table.
"It is always difficult against Oldham and the conditions didn't help but we got the result we deserved," said Grayson. "We battled and scrapped when we needed to and we played decent football when we could so I have to be very pleased."
He added: "It was a professional performance because we were in charge for long periods of the game and our keeper did not have many saves to make.
"Going in front was very important and I am pleased with the way it came because we encourage the players to shoot from outside the box.
"After that we limited Oldham to very few chances and did a proper job defensively.
"Keeping a clean sheet always gives you a good foundation to build on and it helps when your defenders do not want to concede.''
Oldham manager Dave Penney admitted: "It was always going to be a tough ask because Leeds are flying in the league.
"Having said that, the first goal took a d little deflection and the second came on the break when we were chasing a replay.
"Joe Colbeck had a great chance for us at 0-0 but he showed a lack of confidence and as a club we need to be more ruthless.
"We worked hard but you have to give Leeds credit because they are big and strong and they do not give much away.''
Leedsunited.com 7/11/09
UNITED WIN THROUGH IN FA CUP
OLDHAM 0, UNITED 2 (Howson 37, Grella 90+4)
Oldham: Flahavan, Holdsworth, Gregan, Hazell, Hills, Colbeck (Whitaker 38), Furman (Brooke 81), Parker (Lee 72), Smalley, Marrow, Taylor. Subs: Brill, Jacobsen, Black, Eaves.
United: Ankergren, Bromby, Naylor, Kisnorbo, Hughes, Kilkenny, Doyle (White 90), Howson, Snodgrass, Beckford (Grella 87), Johnson. Subs: Martin, Prutton, Michalik, Robinson, Showunmi. Referee: G Ward
Booked: Furman, Smalley (Oldham), Howson, Kilkenny, Doyle (United)
Att: 5552 (2671 Leeds)
United manager Simon Grayson was forced into making one change from the side which beat Yeovil last weekend, Neil Kilkenny replacing the cup-tied Sam Vokes with Robert Snodgrass and Bradley Johnson playing more advance roles to support Jermaine Beckford in the front-line.
It was a tie which was set to go into the history books, being the first FA Cup clash to screened live on the internet, viahttp://www.thefa.com/.
Grayson had made no secret of the fact that league points were his main priority this season, but the Leeds boss had been keen to stress the importance of maintaining a winning mentality.
Boundary Park had been something of a bogey ground for Leeds in years gone by, and it was the hosts who mounted the first two raids of this latest meeting.
But it was Oldham goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan who was called into action on 14 minutes when he denied Johnson after the United man capitalised on some sloppy defending to get a sight of goal.
STATS HERE
Johnson was causing Oldham some problems when Leeds got men forward and after winning a free-kick on the edge of the box, he saw his set-piece blocked as far as Micky Doyle at the opposite side of the box, whose ambitious effort was over the top.
There had been one or two lusty early challenges and Jonny Howson was the first name in the book on 23 minutes.
And the home side had a great chance to go in front before the half-hour when Paddy Kisnorbo misjudged a ball across the edge of the box. Joe Colbeck should have hit his shot first time, but his touch was poor and Casper Ankergren was able to collect with ease.
But it was United who took the lead in stunning fashion on 36 minutes. Howson picked up a Snodgrass pass just outside the box, looked up, and unleashed a left foot strike which left Flahavan with no chance.
Both sides forged decent attacks in the period leading up to half time - Flahavan denied Beckford on one occasion after some poor defending - but there was nothing incisive in either box before the whistle went.
The half-time lead, coupled with the cold temperatures, proved enough to inspire the 2,600 travelling fans into an interval of singing and shirt-waving as they did their bit to keep warm on a dank November evening across the Pennines.
It was just as well the Leeds fans were making plenty of noise because there was little else in the way of high spirits as the early exchanges in the second half followed that of the first. There was plenty of huster and bluster, but little in the way of goalmouth action.
As the game approached the hour-mark, United were looking fairly comfortable with the lead, were passing the ball well when in possession, and were also looking solid when Oldham came forward.
But the home side did serve a timely reminder when, following a throw-in, Chris Taylor forced Ankergren into making a good save to turn his shot around the post. The goalkeeper found Alex Marrow's header from the resultant corner somewaht easier to deal with.
Former United defender Sean Gregan also tried his luck on 65 minutes with a shot from distance as the home side started to up the ante. Gregan also made a timely interception at the other end as Snodgrass looked to release Beckford.
On 69 minutes Snodgrass and Beckford did combine, the striker lifting a shot over the top after his team-mate had flicked the ball on.
Beckford could also consider himself unfortunate on 80 minutes when was adjudged to be in an offside position after latching on to a ball over the top.
The game had been more of a battle with only fits and starts of good football, and as the final moments loomed, it was hard to see anything other than a 1-0 scoreline. The home side had battled hard while chasing the game, but had never seriously troubled a Leeds side who looked content with the advantage.
Oldham sub Ryan Brooke did try his luck with an effort which sailed over the top, and the hosts desperation started to show when there were screams for a foul by Paddy Kisnorbo in the last two minutes.
Perhaps it was a harsh indication of the game, but the sight of four minutes of added time at the end of the 90 minutes was greeted with groans and sighs from the three sides of the ground housing fans.
But then in the fourth minute of injury time, the Leeds were celebrating an unexpected bonus. Injury-time substitute Aidy White latched on to a Snodgrass pass and he delivered fellow sub Mike Grella
with a perfect ball for the American to smash home United's second goal of the night.
That put the seal on the win as Leeds booked a place in the second round of the competition.
Grayson hails player's professionalism
Leeds boss Simon Grayson hailed his side's "professional performance'' as they carried their league form into the FA Cup first round to complete a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Oldham.
Jonathan Howson's spectacular opener gave Oldham a mountain to climb and the home side were finally killed off by substitute Mike Grella. In a game of little goalmouth action, Leeds were the stronger outfit - no surprise considering they are well ahead of Oldham in the League One table.
"It is always difficult against Oldham and the conditions didn't help but we got the result we deserved," said Grayson. "We battled and scrapped when we needed to and we played decent football when we could so I have to be very pleased."
He added: "It was a professional performance because we were in charge for long periods of the game and our keeper did not have many saves to make.
"Going in front was very important and I am pleased with the way it came because we encourage the players to shoot from outside the box.
"After that we limited Oldham to very few chances and did a proper job defensively.
"Keeping a clean sheet always gives you a good foundation to build on and it helps when your defenders do not want to concede.''
Oldham manager Dave Penney admitted: "It was always going to be a tough ask because Leeds are flying in the league.
"Having said that, the first goal took a d little deflection and the second came on the break when we were chasing a replay.
"Joe Colbeck had a great chance for us at 0-0 but he showed a lack of confidence and as a club we need to be more ruthless.
"We worked hard but you have to give Leeds credit because they are big and strong and they do not give much away.''
Leedsunited.com 7/11/09
UNITED WIN THROUGH IN FA CUP
OLDHAM 0, UNITED 2 (Howson 37, Grella 90+4)
Oldham: Flahavan, Holdsworth, Gregan, Hazell, Hills, Colbeck (Whitaker 38), Furman (Brooke 81), Parker (Lee 72), Smalley, Marrow, Taylor. Subs: Brill, Jacobsen, Black, Eaves.
United: Ankergren, Bromby, Naylor, Kisnorbo, Hughes, Kilkenny, Doyle (White 90), Howson, Snodgrass, Beckford (Grella 87), Johnson. Subs: Martin, Prutton, Michalik, Robinson, Showunmi. Referee: G Ward
Booked: Furman, Smalley (Oldham), Howson, Kilkenny, Doyle (United)
Att: 5552 (2671 Leeds)
United manager Simon Grayson was forced into making one change from the side which beat Yeovil last weekend, Neil Kilkenny replacing the cup-tied Sam Vokes with Robert Snodgrass and Bradley Johnson playing more advance roles to support Jermaine Beckford in the front-line.
It was a tie which was set to go into the history books, being the first FA Cup clash to screened live on the internet, viahttp://www.thefa.com/.
Grayson had made no secret of the fact that league points were his main priority this season, but the Leeds boss had been keen to stress the importance of maintaining a winning mentality.
Boundary Park had been something of a bogey ground for Leeds in years gone by, and it was the hosts who mounted the first two raids of this latest meeting.
But it was Oldham goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan who was called into action on 14 minutes when he denied Johnson after the United man capitalised on some sloppy defending to get a sight of goal.
STATS HERE
Johnson was causing Oldham some problems when Leeds got men forward and after winning a free-kick on the edge of the box, he saw his set-piece blocked as far as Micky Doyle at the opposite side of the box, whose ambitious effort was over the top.
There had been one or two lusty early challenges and Jonny Howson was the first name in the book on 23 minutes.
And the home side had a great chance to go in front before the half-hour when Paddy Kisnorbo misjudged a ball across the edge of the box. Joe Colbeck should have hit his shot first time, but his touch was poor and Casper Ankergren was able to collect with ease.
But it was United who took the lead in stunning fashion on 36 minutes. Howson picked up a Snodgrass pass just outside the box, looked up, and unleashed a left foot strike which left Flahavan with no chance.
Both sides forged decent attacks in the period leading up to half time - Flahavan denied Beckford on one occasion after some poor defending - but there was nothing incisive in either box before the whistle went.
The half-time lead, coupled with the cold temperatures, proved enough to inspire the 2,600 travelling fans into an interval of singing and shirt-waving as they did their bit to keep warm on a dank November evening across the Pennines.
It was just as well the Leeds fans were making plenty of noise because there was little else in the way of high spirits as the early exchanges in the second half followed that of the first. There was plenty of huster and bluster, but little in the way of goalmouth action.
As the game approached the hour-mark, United were looking fairly comfortable with the lead, were passing the ball well when in possession, and were also looking solid when Oldham came forward.
But the home side did serve a timely reminder when, following a throw-in, Chris Taylor forced Ankergren into making a good save to turn his shot around the post. The goalkeeper found Alex Marrow's header from the resultant corner somewaht easier to deal with.
Former United defender Sean Gregan also tried his luck on 65 minutes with a shot from distance as the home side started to up the ante. Gregan also made a timely interception at the other end as Snodgrass looked to release Beckford.
On 69 minutes Snodgrass and Beckford did combine, the striker lifting a shot over the top after his team-mate had flicked the ball on.
Beckford could also consider himself unfortunate on 80 minutes when was adjudged to be in an offside position after latching on to a ball over the top.
The game had been more of a battle with only fits and starts of good football, and as the final moments loomed, it was hard to see anything other than a 1-0 scoreline. The home side had battled hard while chasing the game, but had never seriously troubled a Leeds side who looked content with the advantage.
Oldham sub Ryan Brooke did try his luck with an effort which sailed over the top, and the hosts desperation started to show when there were screams for a foul by Paddy Kisnorbo in the last two minutes.
Perhaps it was a harsh indication of the game, but the sight of four minutes of added time at the end of the 90 minutes was greeted with groans and sighs from the three sides of the ground housing fans.
But then in the fourth minute of injury time, the Leeds were celebrating an unexpected bonus. Injury-time substitute Aidy White latched on to a Snodgrass pass and he delivered fellow sub Mike Grella
with a perfect ball for the American to smash home United's second goal of the night.
That put the seal on the win as Leeds booked a place in the second round of the competition.
