Leeds United Football Club - Debut Winner For Blake: Darlington 0 United 1

Debut Winner For Blake: Darlington 0 United 1
Darlington 0
Leeds 1 (Blake 5)

There was a lively start to the match with a goal and plenty of chances in the opening ten minutes, not to mention the sight of a giant inflatable football that mingled with the action on the pitch.

It was the home side who threatened first. Former United pair of Simon Johnson and Clyde Wijnhard combines and Wijnhard got a foot on the cross, forcing Ian Bennett to tip the ball behind from under his own crossbar.

Leeds then had a chance at the other end from a corner delivered into the box by Seth Johnson which Paul Butler met awkwardly but still managed to direct it towards goal where it hit the post and came back out.

Within five minutes though United were celebrating as Robbie Blake scored the first goal of his Leeds career.

The new signing, who feared he might not be fit enough to start the game, met a David Healy cross inside the area and took his time to compose himself before hitting a low shot under Darlington keeper Bertrand Bossu.

Straight afterwards Butler showed just why he was given another year on his contract this summer as he put in a great tackle on Jonjo Dickman to deny the former Sunderland man from getting a clear shot at goal. Butler was partnered by Sean Gregan at the back and the pair looked solid.

David Healy then hit a low drive from 20-yards that was well saved by the keeper, and Kevin Blackwell will have been encouraged to see the understanding that he and Blake had quickly forged with each other.

Jermaine Wright was enjoying plenty of the ball on the right wing and delivered one or two decent crosses early on, and tried his luck at goal but Bossu was alert though and made the save.

Seth Johnson hit a shot wide on the volley late on as 45 minutes of what had been a competent Leeds United performance approached.

The second half was a dull affair compared to the end to end action that had been provided as entertainment in the first, but true to his word Blackwell gave every player who started the game at least 55 minutes to

Bakke tried a delicate flick to play Healy in but the ball was just too far ahead of the Northern Ireland international and the keeper came out and prevented the danger for Darlington.

Kevin Blackwell left it until the 57th minute to make his first changes. On came Frazer Richardson for Gary Kelly and Gylfi Einarsson replaced the goalscorer, Blake.

After the referee had missed a clear handball by Darlington defender Ryan Valentine inside his own penalty area, Darlington nearly sprung a surprise on Leeds with a swift counter-attack, but substitute Jo Kendrick put his shot straight into Ian Bennett's hands.

A further change followed for Leeds after 70 minutes with skipper Paul Butler making way for Matthew Kilgallon. Shortly afterwards Matthew Spring made his entrance, replacing Shaun Derry. Walton, Pugh and Ricketts were the final changes late on.

Gylfi Einarsson, playing a surprise role upfront, nearly caught out the Darlington keeper when a Crainey cross came in from the left. He outjumped the keeper but couldn't send his header towards goal.

Darlington's best chance came with eight minutes remaining when Akpo Sodje's lung bursting run into the penalty area saw him set up substitute Andy Bell, but Bennett was comfortably able to control the shot. Sodje later had a penalty appeal turned down that he was never likely to get after claiming he was bundled over in the area.

The score remained 1-0 at the end and it was a relatively comfortable win for Leeds, who will have gained more in terms of match fitness than anything else from the experience.


United: Bennett, Kelly (Richardson 57), Gregan, Butler (Kilgallon 71), Crainey, Wright (Pugh 84), Bakke (Walton 84), Derry (Spring 78), Johnson, Blake (Einarsson 57), Healy (Ricketts 87). Subs not used: Carlisle, Harding.

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