Rotherham 0 Leeds 2
leedsunited.com
Pre-Match
United boss Kevin Blackwell made five changes for the tie against Rotherham at Millmoor.
As he had promised, a number of players who don't normally get their chance in the league, were given starting berths and perhaps another chance to force their way into the first team reckoning.
Danny Pugh, Matthew Kilgallon and Ian Moore all came in whilst Richard Cresswell got his second start upfront. Frazer Richardson was also handed a place in the starting XI against his home town club, having just recovered from the virus that kept him out of the win over QPR.
Rotherham boss Mick Harford stuck with the same side that lost at Nottingham Forest at the weekend, and like Leeds, used a 4-4-2 formation.
The Match
Leeds put the pressure on the Millers from the start, getting two early corners and then a blow for the home side when captain Phil Gilchrist was forced off with a head injury. All inside the opening five minutes.
Rotherham were the first to force a save though, a foul by Jonathan Douglas set up the free-kick 20-yards out and Deon Burton hit a low drive through the wall but straight down Neil Sullivan's throat.
Leeds broke through Hulse and the former West Brom man had a clear sight of goal as he beat the offside trap but the substitute Colin Murdock made a great block to turn the hitman's shot behind for a corner.
Richard Cresswell was inches away from scoring his first Leeds United goal when he met a long cross from Danny Pugh at the back post with a crashing downwards header, but although the bounce beat the keeper, Leeds found the post and the Millers managed to get the ball clear.
United hit woodwork eight times in the two meetings last season and it looked as if the curse was set to continue.
Fortunately the opening goal came a few minutes later and Cresswell did indeed notch his first for his new club.
Leeds cleared long from the back and Crainey's diagonal pass was perfect for Rob Hulse to latch onto. He tried to take the ball around the keeper, his shot was blocked by Cutler but Cresswell tucked away the loose ball from just inside the area with a cool finish.
The Whites kept up the pressure and doubled their lead on 27 minutes - and another goal for Cresswell.
It came from a free kick delivered in long by Pugh and Hulse made enough of a nuisance of himself to prevent the keeper from getting a clean pair of hands on the ball, eventually a half clearance fell to Cresswell on the left and his shot from a narrow angle took a deflection on its way in.
The striker, who endured an unhappy season with Rotherham's neighbours Sheffield Wednesday, was suddenly loving his return to South Yorkshire. Two nearly became 3-0 just after the half hour mark when Cresswell was through on goal for his hat-trick but the keeper came out and tipped the ball away as the striker tried to chip him. Leeds went into the break knowing that if they kept things steady in the second half they could look forward to being in the hat for the third round draw.
With no changes at half-time Cresswell was chasing his hat-trick and might have had a chance seven minutes after the restart when he turned the last Rotherham defender but lost his footing. Hulse nearly profited but his low shot was straight at the keeper.
Danny Pugh had the job of taking all the corners and free-kicks on the night and his delivery was excellent. Rotherham found his in-swinging crosses difficult to defend and when the ball broke free for Einarsson inside the area from one of them, 3-0 was so nearly the outcome but for a smart save from the keeper.
Rotherham occassionally reminded Leeds that they were still in the game, Michael Keane hit a curving inswinger that missed the top left hand corner of the net by barely a foot. Midway through the half Burton stung Sullivan's hands with a shot on the turn, but Leeds were rarely troubled by the Millers attack. Shaun Derry came on for Rob Hulse with just over quarter of an hour gone and Ian Moore joined Cresswell upfront.Leeds were being frustrated in their quest for a third goal. Cresswell's run into the area presented Douglas with the shot and the on-loan Blackburn man stuck it well but the keeper made an equally good save to tip the shot over the bar.When the final whistle went, Kevin Blackwell's men could reflect on a job well done and a place in the third round.
leedsunited.com
Pre-Match
United boss Kevin Blackwell made five changes for the tie against Rotherham at Millmoor.
As he had promised, a number of players who don't normally get their chance in the league, were given starting berths and perhaps another chance to force their way into the first team reckoning.
Danny Pugh, Matthew Kilgallon and Ian Moore all came in whilst Richard Cresswell got his second start upfront. Frazer Richardson was also handed a place in the starting XI against his home town club, having just recovered from the virus that kept him out of the win over QPR.
Rotherham boss Mick Harford stuck with the same side that lost at Nottingham Forest at the weekend, and like Leeds, used a 4-4-2 formation.
The Match
Leeds put the pressure on the Millers from the start, getting two early corners and then a blow for the home side when captain Phil Gilchrist was forced off with a head injury. All inside the opening five minutes.
Rotherham were the first to force a save though, a foul by Jonathan Douglas set up the free-kick 20-yards out and Deon Burton hit a low drive through the wall but straight down Neil Sullivan's throat.
Leeds broke through Hulse and the former West Brom man had a clear sight of goal as he beat the offside trap but the substitute Colin Murdock made a great block to turn the hitman's shot behind for a corner.
Richard Cresswell was inches away from scoring his first Leeds United goal when he met a long cross from Danny Pugh at the back post with a crashing downwards header, but although the bounce beat the keeper, Leeds found the post and the Millers managed to get the ball clear.
United hit woodwork eight times in the two meetings last season and it looked as if the curse was set to continue.
Fortunately the opening goal came a few minutes later and Cresswell did indeed notch his first for his new club.
Leeds cleared long from the back and Crainey's diagonal pass was perfect for Rob Hulse to latch onto. He tried to take the ball around the keeper, his shot was blocked by Cutler but Cresswell tucked away the loose ball from just inside the area with a cool finish.
The Whites kept up the pressure and doubled their lead on 27 minutes - and another goal for Cresswell.
It came from a free kick delivered in long by Pugh and Hulse made enough of a nuisance of himself to prevent the keeper from getting a clean pair of hands on the ball, eventually a half clearance fell to Cresswell on the left and his shot from a narrow angle took a deflection on its way in.
The striker, who endured an unhappy season with Rotherham's neighbours Sheffield Wednesday, was suddenly loving his return to South Yorkshire. Two nearly became 3-0 just after the half hour mark when Cresswell was through on goal for his hat-trick but the keeper came out and tipped the ball away as the striker tried to chip him. Leeds went into the break knowing that if they kept things steady in the second half they could look forward to being in the hat for the third round draw.
With no changes at half-time Cresswell was chasing his hat-trick and might have had a chance seven minutes after the restart when he turned the last Rotherham defender but lost his footing. Hulse nearly profited but his low shot was straight at the keeper.
Danny Pugh had the job of taking all the corners and free-kicks on the night and his delivery was excellent. Rotherham found his in-swinging crosses difficult to defend and when the ball broke free for Einarsson inside the area from one of them, 3-0 was so nearly the outcome but for a smart save from the keeper.
Rotherham occassionally reminded Leeds that they were still in the game, Michael Keane hit a curving inswinger that missed the top left hand corner of the net by barely a foot. Midway through the half Burton stung Sullivan's hands with a shot on the turn, but Leeds were rarely troubled by the Millers attack. Shaun Derry came on for Rob Hulse with just over quarter of an hour gone and Ian Moore joined Cresswell upfront.Leeds were being frustrated in their quest for a third goal. Cresswell's run into the area presented Douglas with the shot and the on-loan Blackburn man stuck it well but the keeper made an equally good save to tip the shot over the bar.When the final whistle went, Kevin Blackwell's men could reflect on a job well done and a place in the third round.
