Yorkshire Evening Post 22/3/08
Beckford at the double for Leeds United
By Phil Hay
Leeds United 2 Walsall 0
It sounded like a dubious prediction, but for one day at least it was as Gary McAllister had hoped.
Leeds United's manager was honest enough to accept that the four points gained from three recent games against clubs in the lower reaches of League One was five points too few, but the admission was tempered by the insistence that a better standard of opposition would force his players to find themselves again.
Lacking momentum after a draw with Port Vale and a defeat to Cheltenham Town, United's spirit was uncovered at Elland Road in exactly the way that McAllister anticipated.
Their conclusive 2-0 victory over Walsall – a club in direct competition with Leeds for inclusion in the play-offs – served the notice of intent that United's manager has waited to patiently to send forth from Elland Road, at the very moment it needed to be sent.
Yesterday's match was the first of five in succession against teams who believe promotion is beckoning them, and McAllister might ask himself whether his players are better suited to the pressure of what the footballing world would call six-pointers.
United's defeat of Walsall was not a sensational rout, but it is doubtful whether Leeds have played with more conviction and assurance in the time that McAllister has held the managerial reins.
Everything about United's display – the precision of passing, the pace of the performance and the quality of defending – was an improvement on the worrying contribution made to their last match at Elland Road, a 2-1 defeat to Cheltenham. It was, perhaps, all that McAllister had wanted.
The fixture threatened to put serious daylight between Leeds and the top six in the event that Walsall fashioned a result, but United are hanging on gamely. With Brighton due to visit Yorkshire next weekend, the opportunity to enhance their own position while damaging that of a club in close proximity to them will present itself again. In the mood that took them yesterday, United will take some beating.
To complement the result, the most satisfying aspect of McAllister's squad selection was the inclusion on the bench of Jonathan Douglas, his first appearance in United's squad since damaging knee ligaments at Walsall 10 days before Christmas.
Jermaine Beckford opened the scoring after 29 minutes, and United never looked back. It helped that Walsall's tactics seemed to revolve around the intention of leaving Yorkshire with a point, but Leeds were worth their victory. There have been too few occasions in his short reign when McAllister has been able to say that.
The importance of the game in relation to the scramble for position in League One was not lost on either club, but the ambition with which Leeds took to the field was in stark contrast to the cautious approach adopted by Richard Money's side.
Walsall's bank of five midfielders left Tommy Mooney, their lone striker, isolated in amongst United's defenders, and Casper Ankergren went virtually untroubled before half-time. The same could not be said of his opposite number, Clayton Ince.
Ince's desperate dive in the fourth minute revealed how close a volley from Beckford had come to creeping into the top corner of his net, and United kept Walsall's goalkeeper engaged regularly enough to satisfy McAllister.
Two shots from David Prutton threatened his goal, the first forcing Ince into a two-handed save on his line and the second whistling over the crossbar, and Dougie Freedman's cute cross with the outside of his boot brought an urgent punch from the Trinidad and Tobago international in the 20th minute. A matter of inches had prevented Beckford from applying the finishing touch with his head.
The striker worked diligently up front throughout an open contest, and the goal which might have come his way from Freedman's cross materialised nine minutes later, with half-an-hour on the clock.
Neil Kilkenny's through-ball sliced between Walsall's defenders, and Beckford shook off Anthony Gerrard before rounding Ince with a quick side-step. Gerrard attempted to cover Ince's goalline with a sliding block, but he succeeded only in carrying Beckford's shot into the net with his legs.
The goal was Beckford's 18th of the season but his first in open play since January, and the clinical manner in which he dispatched Kilkenny's pass was reminiscent of a striker who was without peers in the first half of the season.
His form has waned alongside that of his club in 2008 but he, like United, appeared more purposeful yesterday, just when McAllister needed his players to emerge from their shells.It was a satisfying experience on both sides of the whitewash.
But mindful of the way in which Leeds had contrived to limit themselves to a 3-3 draw at Port Vale seven days earlier, a single-goal advantage was less than their manager required.
Prutton, who was a dynamic presence in midfield from the first whistle, drew a full-length parry from Ince with a low shot three minutes before half-time, but Walsall's caution in comparison could at times have been described as negativity. The first half was the quietest that Ankergren has enjoyed for months.
Money had little choice but to ask his players to stretch themselves after the break, and their first shot on goal came in the 52nd minute when a free-kick from Lee Holmes dipped over Ankergren's bar.
It then took a woeful miss from Mooney, who thrashed a volley into the crowd from six yards out, to maintain United's lead on the hour, but the second goal was as likely to materialise at Ince's end of the field.
Jonathan Howson's free-kick forced the keeper to tip the ball to safety, and Bradley Johnson's header was parried on the line as Walsall's defence began to creak.
It gave way for a second time 10 minutes before the final whistle when, in a repeat of the opening goal, Kilkenny fed Beckford with an intelligent pass which the striker lifted deftly beyond the reach of Ince to ensure Leeds left nothing to chance.
Leedsunited.com 22/3/08
BECKS SEALS IT
UNITED 2 (Beckford 29, 80), WALSALL 0
United started the afternoon in 10th place in the league, five adrift of the Play-Off places, and two behind Walsall, and Jermaine Beckford was quick to threaten when he fired wide just three minutes into the contest.
Both sides had some early defending to do, but the opening quarter-hour offered little in the way of chances until Walsall goalkeeper saved well from David Prutton.
Prutton also fired over the top with an effort from outside the box on 17 minutes.
Walsall goalkeeper Ince also had to react well when Dougie Freedman showed good skill to bend a cross-cum-shot into the penalty area. Ince came off his line to punch clear.
United threatened again when Ince denied Beckford after Prutton threaded a ball through the Walsall defence.
But on 29 minutes, Leeds were in front. Neil Kilkenny was the architect with a lovely pass for Beckford, and the striker finished from a tight angle to clock up his 18th of the season.
Four minutes before half-time, Ince was called into action again when he beat away a powerful strike from the lively Prutton, and Leeds went in just one goal to the good at the interval.
United also started the second half brightly, and within 90 seconds of the re-start, Freedman forced Ince into making a good save.
Walsall had their first real opportunity on 53 minutes when Lee Holmes curled a free-kick narrowly wide. But Leeds responded immediately and Ince got down well to deny Freedman with a header from a Prutton cross.
But the visitors should have drawn level shortly before the hour. Holmes delivered an excellent cross from the left, and experienced striker Tommy Mooney blasted his first-time shot over the top from close range.
On 65 minutes Alan Sheehan tested Ince with a rasping 25-yard free-kick, the Walsall goalkeeper palming the strike over the top. And from the second of successive corners, Lubo Michalik hooked a shot over the bar.
Leeds were again tightening their grip on the game and Kilkenny was next to try his luck with a shot from distance. Walsall substitute Mark Bradley was also called upon to clear a Bradley Johnson header off the line.
And with 10 minutes to go United were rewarded for their best performance under McAllister. Kilkenny and Beckford combined again and the striker made no mistake with a great finish to make it 2-0.
With victory all-but sealed, McAllister took the opportunity to hand Jonathan Douglas the final eight minutes. Douglas was returning from a knee injury, sustained against the same opponents back in December.
In the final moments Howson fired over, but it mattered little as United collected a valuable three points.
Beckford at the double for Leeds United
By Phil Hay
Leeds United 2 Walsall 0
It sounded like a dubious prediction, but for one day at least it was as Gary McAllister had hoped.
Leeds United's manager was honest enough to accept that the four points gained from three recent games against clubs in the lower reaches of League One was five points too few, but the admission was tempered by the insistence that a better standard of opposition would force his players to find themselves again.
Lacking momentum after a draw with Port Vale and a defeat to Cheltenham Town, United's spirit was uncovered at Elland Road in exactly the way that McAllister anticipated.
Their conclusive 2-0 victory over Walsall – a club in direct competition with Leeds for inclusion in the play-offs – served the notice of intent that United's manager has waited to patiently to send forth from Elland Road, at the very moment it needed to be sent.
Yesterday's match was the first of five in succession against teams who believe promotion is beckoning them, and McAllister might ask himself whether his players are better suited to the pressure of what the footballing world would call six-pointers.
United's defeat of Walsall was not a sensational rout, but it is doubtful whether Leeds have played with more conviction and assurance in the time that McAllister has held the managerial reins.
Everything about United's display – the precision of passing, the pace of the performance and the quality of defending – was an improvement on the worrying contribution made to their last match at Elland Road, a 2-1 defeat to Cheltenham. It was, perhaps, all that McAllister had wanted.
The fixture threatened to put serious daylight between Leeds and the top six in the event that Walsall fashioned a result, but United are hanging on gamely. With Brighton due to visit Yorkshire next weekend, the opportunity to enhance their own position while damaging that of a club in close proximity to them will present itself again. In the mood that took them yesterday, United will take some beating.
To complement the result, the most satisfying aspect of McAllister's squad selection was the inclusion on the bench of Jonathan Douglas, his first appearance in United's squad since damaging knee ligaments at Walsall 10 days before Christmas.
Jermaine Beckford opened the scoring after 29 minutes, and United never looked back. It helped that Walsall's tactics seemed to revolve around the intention of leaving Yorkshire with a point, but Leeds were worth their victory. There have been too few occasions in his short reign when McAllister has been able to say that.
The importance of the game in relation to the scramble for position in League One was not lost on either club, but the ambition with which Leeds took to the field was in stark contrast to the cautious approach adopted by Richard Money's side.
Walsall's bank of five midfielders left Tommy Mooney, their lone striker, isolated in amongst United's defenders, and Casper Ankergren went virtually untroubled before half-time. The same could not be said of his opposite number, Clayton Ince.
Ince's desperate dive in the fourth minute revealed how close a volley from Beckford had come to creeping into the top corner of his net, and United kept Walsall's goalkeeper engaged regularly enough to satisfy McAllister.
Two shots from David Prutton threatened his goal, the first forcing Ince into a two-handed save on his line and the second whistling over the crossbar, and Dougie Freedman's cute cross with the outside of his boot brought an urgent punch from the Trinidad and Tobago international in the 20th minute. A matter of inches had prevented Beckford from applying the finishing touch with his head.
The striker worked diligently up front throughout an open contest, and the goal which might have come his way from Freedman's cross materialised nine minutes later, with half-an-hour on the clock.
Neil Kilkenny's through-ball sliced between Walsall's defenders, and Beckford shook off Anthony Gerrard before rounding Ince with a quick side-step. Gerrard attempted to cover Ince's goalline with a sliding block, but he succeeded only in carrying Beckford's shot into the net with his legs.
The goal was Beckford's 18th of the season but his first in open play since January, and the clinical manner in which he dispatched Kilkenny's pass was reminiscent of a striker who was without peers in the first half of the season.
His form has waned alongside that of his club in 2008 but he, like United, appeared more purposeful yesterday, just when McAllister needed his players to emerge from their shells.It was a satisfying experience on both sides of the whitewash.
But mindful of the way in which Leeds had contrived to limit themselves to a 3-3 draw at Port Vale seven days earlier, a single-goal advantage was less than their manager required.
Prutton, who was a dynamic presence in midfield from the first whistle, drew a full-length parry from Ince with a low shot three minutes before half-time, but Walsall's caution in comparison could at times have been described as negativity. The first half was the quietest that Ankergren has enjoyed for months.
Money had little choice but to ask his players to stretch themselves after the break, and their first shot on goal came in the 52nd minute when a free-kick from Lee Holmes dipped over Ankergren's bar.
It then took a woeful miss from Mooney, who thrashed a volley into the crowd from six yards out, to maintain United's lead on the hour, but the second goal was as likely to materialise at Ince's end of the field.
Jonathan Howson's free-kick forced the keeper to tip the ball to safety, and Bradley Johnson's header was parried on the line as Walsall's defence began to creak.
It gave way for a second time 10 minutes before the final whistle when, in a repeat of the opening goal, Kilkenny fed Beckford with an intelligent pass which the striker lifted deftly beyond the reach of Ince to ensure Leeds left nothing to chance.
Leedsunited.com 22/3/08
BECKS SEALS IT
UNITED 2 (Beckford 29, 80), WALSALL 0
United started the afternoon in 10th place in the league, five adrift of the Play-Off places, and two behind Walsall, and Jermaine Beckford was quick to threaten when he fired wide just three minutes into the contest.
Both sides had some early defending to do, but the opening quarter-hour offered little in the way of chances until Walsall goalkeeper saved well from David Prutton.
Prutton also fired over the top with an effort from outside the box on 17 minutes.
Walsall goalkeeper Ince also had to react well when Dougie Freedman showed good skill to bend a cross-cum-shot into the penalty area. Ince came off his line to punch clear.
United threatened again when Ince denied Beckford after Prutton threaded a ball through the Walsall defence.
But on 29 minutes, Leeds were in front. Neil Kilkenny was the architect with a lovely pass for Beckford, and the striker finished from a tight angle to clock up his 18th of the season.
Four minutes before half-time, Ince was called into action again when he beat away a powerful strike from the lively Prutton, and Leeds went in just one goal to the good at the interval.
United also started the second half brightly, and within 90 seconds of the re-start, Freedman forced Ince into making a good save.
Walsall had their first real opportunity on 53 minutes when Lee Holmes curled a free-kick narrowly wide. But Leeds responded immediately and Ince got down well to deny Freedman with a header from a Prutton cross.
But the visitors should have drawn level shortly before the hour. Holmes delivered an excellent cross from the left, and experienced striker Tommy Mooney blasted his first-time shot over the top from close range.
On 65 minutes Alan Sheehan tested Ince with a rasping 25-yard free-kick, the Walsall goalkeeper palming the strike over the top. And from the second of successive corners, Lubo Michalik hooked a shot over the bar.
Leeds were again tightening their grip on the game and Kilkenny was next to try his luck with a shot from distance. Walsall substitute Mark Bradley was also called upon to clear a Bradley Johnson header off the line.
And with 10 minutes to go United were rewarded for their best performance under McAllister. Kilkenny and Beckford combined again and the striker made no mistake with a great finish to make it 2-0.
With victory all-but sealed, McAllister took the opportunity to hand Jonathan Douglas the final eight minutes. Douglas was returning from a knee injury, sustained against the same opponents back in December.
In the final moments Howson fired over, but it mattered little as United collected a valuable three points.