Leedsunited.com 27/2/10
UNITED DENIED DERBY WIN
Gallant Leeds hit by Huddersfield leveller...
HUDDERSFIELD 2 (Pilkington 14, Roberts 85), UNITED 2 (Howson 61, Naylor 66)
United manager Simon Grayson made just one change to his starting line-up, Gary McSheffrey returning in place of Aidy White, as his side looked to record a first ever league win at the Galpharm Stadium.
While Leeds were bolstered by a midweek win against Oldham, Huddersfield were unbeaten in 10 and Terriers manager Lee Clark named an unchanged side.
Unsurprisingly, the game attracted the biggest crowd of the season to the Galpharm, and the opening exchanges were typical in that neither side was able to put a foot on the ball.
It was Leeds who had first sight of goal after nine minutes, though, when Luciano Becchio was unable to keep his header down, following an Andrew Hughes cross.
But it was Huddersfield who took the lead in the 14th minute in bizarre fashion. Anthony Pilkington picked up the ball outside of the area and his shot took a massive deflection leaving Casper Ankergren stranded.
United looked unflustered Robert Snodgrass forced Alex Smithies into pulling off a great save before Becchio headed a corner into the side-netting.
At the other end, it took some good defending from Paddy Kisnorbo to shut out at Huddersfield and from the break, Jermaine Beckford won a free-kick just inside the Huddersfield half when he was flattened after losing possession.
As the game edged towards the half-hour, Pilkington again went close from distance, this time with an opportunist curling strike from distance.
The home side were the beneficiaries of a number of a free-kicks during the first half, much to the clear frustration of the United players.
United almost fashioned out an opening after a quite superb challenge by Jonny Howson, but the midfielder's cross was cut out with Beckford waiting to pounce.
As a contest it was fairly even. While United were more careful and constructive in terms of build-up play, Huddersfield's pace and incision on the break made sure the home side were always a threat.
And it was the home side who should have scored a second goal before half-time when some good passing play resulted in a free Jordan Rhodes smashing the ball over the top from close range. Micky Doyle also made a timely intervention in stoppage time to clear the danger.
United were still very much in the contest at the break, but Ankergren had to come racing off his line straight from the re-start to save at the feet of a Huddersfield player.
United's response was immediate and after some good play around the Huddersfield box, Beckford headed a Doyle cross over the top. Huddersfield also had to clear their lines when McSheffrey whipped in a low cross for Beckford.
The equaliser came on the hour mark, though. Howson started a move that saw Snodgrass beat the Huddersfield defender, and the United midfielder got on the end of the cross to head home to make it 1-1.
When United threatened again, and Beckford looked to be through, play was again brought back for yet another infringement.
And it was 2-1 on 66 minutes. Snodgrass whipped in a corner from the right, Naylor headed on, and Becchio headed home from close range.
Suddenly, it was United who were in the driving seat and, unsually, Huddersfield found themselves having to come from behind on home soil. The home side did come within a whisker on 74 minutes when Peter Clarke headed a corner against the base of the post, and United were clearly going to have some defending to do during the final stages.
Ankergren also had to make a good save from Lee Novak after he got a touch on a vicious free-kick. And Naylor, Kisnorbo, and Becchio all made timely clearances as Huddersfield looked for an equaliser.
The game had turned into a real battle - Doyle was sporting a bandaged head - and it was all hands to the pumps as United looked to see the game home with six minutes left on the clock.
But an equaliser came in the 85th minute when a cross came over from the Huddersfield right and Gary Roberts arrived at the far post to side-foot the ball home.
United came storming back and both Snodgrass and Beckford made lung-busting challenges in the Huddersfield goalmouth in search of a winner.
Both sides made changes in the final minute of normal time, but five extra minutes were added to the contest. Tresor Kandol came on for Leeds and he quickly made his presence felt, and as United looked for a winner, Bradley Johnson landed a floating cross on the top of the goal.
Leeds were enjoying the possession deep in stoppage time, but with Lowry lined up to take one final throw-in, the whistle went on what had turned into a pulsating contest.
UNITED DENIED DERBY WIN
Gallant Leeds hit by Huddersfield leveller...
HUDDERSFIELD 2 (Pilkington 14, Roberts 85), UNITED 2 (Howson 61, Naylor 66)
United manager Simon Grayson made just one change to his starting line-up, Gary McSheffrey returning in place of Aidy White, as his side looked to record a first ever league win at the Galpharm Stadium.
While Leeds were bolstered by a midweek win against Oldham, Huddersfield were unbeaten in 10 and Terriers manager Lee Clark named an unchanged side.
Unsurprisingly, the game attracted the biggest crowd of the season to the Galpharm, and the opening exchanges were typical in that neither side was able to put a foot on the ball.
It was Leeds who had first sight of goal after nine minutes, though, when Luciano Becchio was unable to keep his header down, following an Andrew Hughes cross.
But it was Huddersfield who took the lead in the 14th minute in bizarre fashion. Anthony Pilkington picked up the ball outside of the area and his shot took a massive deflection leaving Casper Ankergren stranded.
United looked unflustered Robert Snodgrass forced Alex Smithies into pulling off a great save before Becchio headed a corner into the side-netting.
At the other end, it took some good defending from Paddy Kisnorbo to shut out at Huddersfield and from the break, Jermaine Beckford won a free-kick just inside the Huddersfield half when he was flattened after losing possession.
As the game edged towards the half-hour, Pilkington again went close from distance, this time with an opportunist curling strike from distance.
The home side were the beneficiaries of a number of a free-kicks during the first half, much to the clear frustration of the United players.
United almost fashioned out an opening after a quite superb challenge by Jonny Howson, but the midfielder's cross was cut out with Beckford waiting to pounce.
As a contest it was fairly even. While United were more careful and constructive in terms of build-up play, Huddersfield's pace and incision on the break made sure the home side were always a threat.
And it was the home side who should have scored a second goal before half-time when some good passing play resulted in a free Jordan Rhodes smashing the ball over the top from close range. Micky Doyle also made a timely intervention in stoppage time to clear the danger.
United were still very much in the contest at the break, but Ankergren had to come racing off his line straight from the re-start to save at the feet of a Huddersfield player.
United's response was immediate and after some good play around the Huddersfield box, Beckford headed a Doyle cross over the top. Huddersfield also had to clear their lines when McSheffrey whipped in a low cross for Beckford.
The equaliser came on the hour mark, though. Howson started a move that saw Snodgrass beat the Huddersfield defender, and the United midfielder got on the end of the cross to head home to make it 1-1.
When United threatened again, and Beckford looked to be through, play was again brought back for yet another infringement.
And it was 2-1 on 66 minutes. Snodgrass whipped in a corner from the right, Naylor headed on, and Becchio headed home from close range.
Suddenly, it was United who were in the driving seat and, unsually, Huddersfield found themselves having to come from behind on home soil. The home side did come within a whisker on 74 minutes when Peter Clarke headed a corner against the base of the post, and United were clearly going to have some defending to do during the final stages.
Ankergren also had to make a good save from Lee Novak after he got a touch on a vicious free-kick. And Naylor, Kisnorbo, and Becchio all made timely clearances as Huddersfield looked for an equaliser.
The game had turned into a real battle - Doyle was sporting a bandaged head - and it was all hands to the pumps as United looked to see the game home with six minutes left on the clock.
But an equaliser came in the 85th minute when a cross came over from the Huddersfield right and Gary Roberts arrived at the far post to side-foot the ball home.
United came storming back and both Snodgrass and Beckford made lung-busting challenges in the Huddersfield goalmouth in search of a winner.
Both sides made changes in the final minute of normal time, but five extra minutes were added to the contest. Tresor Kandol came on for Leeds and he quickly made his presence felt, and as United looked for a winner, Bradley Johnson landed a floating cross on the top of the goal.
Leeds were enjoying the possession deep in stoppage time, but with Lowry lined up to take one final throw-in, the whistle went on what had turned into a pulsating contest.
