United draw in Norway
leedsunited.com 1/8/12
Pearce scores as honours end even...
SANDEFJORD 1 (Klepaker 52), UNITED 1 (Pearce 17)
Sandefjord (squad): Austbo, Skogsrud K, Haakenstad, Skogsrud T, Brix, Dimitriadis, Jaiteh, Dieng, Aas, Torp, Maanoja, Hansen, Magnusson, Amankwah, Klepaker, Lamoy, Brekke, Normann Hansen, Jacobsen, Gustavsen, Johannessen, Langensteiner, Hem, Hansen.
Leeds: Ashdown, Lees (Byram 68), Cranie, Pearce, Drury (Pugh 46), White (Rogers 79), Norris (N Turner 81), Green (Thompson 79), Varney, Gray (Brown 46), McCormack (Poleon 68).
United manager Neil Warnock again stuck with a familiar starting line-up for the clash with Norwegians, and striker Ross McCormack was the latest to be offered the armband.
The boss had identified the Sandefjord game as the toughest test so far with the Norwegian outfit sitting second in their league and currently in mid season.
Having drawn a dour encounter here last season, United took a grip on the contest quickly this time around and were in front after just 17 minutes.
McCormack was the provider with a good corner, and Jason Pearce escaped his marker to head home.
The goal was no less than Leeds deserved. McCormack had been lively and Adam Drury almost scored early after great work by the Scotsman. Drury also delivered one telling cross that was almost sliced into the goal by a home defender.
Luke Varney also went close either side of the opening goal as United made a real good start to proceedings.
McCormack was the provider again with a free-kick that Andy Gray headed wide, while debut man David Norris, who was a threat going forward, almost fed Gray with a decent opening.
Shortly after the half-hour, Varney delivered a good cross for McCormack, but the Scot saw his shot blocked.
The game was developing into a real battle in midfield, and the hosts finally threatened in the period up to half time when United had some defending to do for the first time.
The hosts did get back into early in the second period, though, when Kristian Klepaker latched on to an incisive pass and delivered a great finish which left Jamie Ashdown with no chance.
The second half was a scrappier affair, littered with sloppy challenges, and chances were at a premium. Ashdown was called upon to make one good save with 15 minutes left on the clock when he beat away a Martin Torp.
Zac Thompson did go close to restoring United's advantage with a great effort, but united laos had some defending to do when Torp threatened again for the hosts five minutes from time.
Dominic Poleon was next to threaten when he delivered a good strike on the turn, but the home goalkeeper proved equal to the effort.
Pearce scores as honours end even...
SANDEFJORD 1 (Klepaker 52), UNITED 1 (Pearce 17)
Sandefjord (squad): Austbo, Skogsrud K, Haakenstad, Skogsrud T, Brix, Dimitriadis, Jaiteh, Dieng, Aas, Torp, Maanoja, Hansen, Magnusson, Amankwah, Klepaker, Lamoy, Brekke, Normann Hansen, Jacobsen, Gustavsen, Johannessen, Langensteiner, Hem, Hansen.
Leeds: Ashdown, Lees (Byram 68), Cranie, Pearce, Drury (Pugh 46), White (Rogers 79), Norris (N Turner 81), Green (Thompson 79), Varney, Gray (Brown 46), McCormack (Poleon 68).
United manager Neil Warnock again stuck with a familiar starting line-up for the clash with Norwegians, and striker Ross McCormack was the latest to be offered the armband.
The boss had identified the Sandefjord game as the toughest test so far with the Norwegian outfit sitting second in their league and currently in mid season.
Having drawn a dour encounter here last season, United took a grip on the contest quickly this time around and were in front after just 17 minutes.
McCormack was the provider with a good corner, and Jason Pearce escaped his marker to head home.
The goal was no less than Leeds deserved. McCormack had been lively and Adam Drury almost scored early after great work by the Scotsman. Drury also delivered one telling cross that was almost sliced into the goal by a home defender.
Luke Varney also went close either side of the opening goal as United made a real good start to proceedings.
McCormack was the provider again with a free-kick that Andy Gray headed wide, while debut man David Norris, who was a threat going forward, almost fed Gray with a decent opening.
Shortly after the half-hour, Varney delivered a good cross for McCormack, but the Scot saw his shot blocked.
The game was developing into a real battle in midfield, and the hosts finally threatened in the period up to half time when United had some defending to do for the first time.
The hosts did get back into early in the second period, though, when Kristian Klepaker latched on to an incisive pass and delivered a great finish which left Jamie Ashdown with no chance.
The second half was a scrappier affair, littered with sloppy challenges, and chances were at a premium. Ashdown was called upon to make one good save with 15 minutes left on the clock when he beat away a Martin Torp.
Zac Thompson did go close to restoring United's advantage with a great effort, but united laos had some defending to do when Torp threatened again for the hosts five minutes from time.
Dominic Poleon was next to threaten when he delivered a good strike on the turn, but the home goalkeeper proved equal to the effort.
