Guardian 7/11/08
Leeds' agonising wait for win in the Cup continues
Guardian report
Match facts
FA Cup First Round
Leeds 1 Northampton 1
The consolation for Leeds United is that they avoided the ignominy of becoming the first Football League club eliminated from this season's
FA Cup. Yet in failing to overcome a Northampton side reduced to 10 men for the majority of the match, they extended their 5½-year wait for a win in this competition. Not since February 2003, when Leeds were accustomed to beginning their campaign in the third round, have they triumphed. With a replay at Sixfields to come, the second round would represent progress now.
A simpler route towards Wembley appeared probable when Giles Coke was cautioned for the second time within the first half-hour and then Andy Robinson equalised from a penalty 10 minutes later. "It's a missed opportunity," said the Leeds manager, Gary McAllister. "Doom-and-gloom people will say it's a bad result but I'm not going to lose any sleep."
It was evident that Leeds' threat came from the flanks. The wings, Robinson and Robert Snodgrass, adopted starting positions on either touchline, allowing them to stretch the game and embark on angled runs towards the penalty box. Each struck the woodwork after veering infield to shoot. Paul Telfer was similarly unfortunate when his header was cleared by Danny Jackman, who was on sentry duty on the line. "On another night we could have got four or five," added McAllister.
"The harder you work, the luckier you get and we rode our luck at times," said the Northampton manager, Stuart Gray. "It was backs to the wall, like a forwards-versus-defence training exercise."
Among the crowd at the sparsely populated Elland Road was Tony Adams, the new Portsmouth manager, who saw proof of the precocity of the 18-year-old Fabian Delph. Already the subject of a bid from Newcastle, the Leeds midfielder displayed explosive speed and skill, producing a counter-attack curtailed only by the illegal challenge which resulted in Coke's exit.
At that stage Northampton had led after Scott McGleish, on loan from Wycombe Wanderers, pounced from close range to net his 203rd career goal after a swift break by Ryan Gilligan. Leeds require added firepower themselves and may offer a contract to the former Derby and Middlesbrough forward Malcolm Christie.
Leeds' agonising wait for win in the Cup continues
Guardian report
Match facts
FA Cup First Round
Leeds 1 Northampton 1
The consolation for Leeds United is that they avoided the ignominy of becoming the first Football League club eliminated from this season's
FA Cup. Yet in failing to overcome a Northampton side reduced to 10 men for the majority of the match, they extended their 5½-year wait for a win in this competition. Not since February 2003, when Leeds were accustomed to beginning their campaign in the third round, have they triumphed. With a replay at Sixfields to come, the second round would represent progress now.A simpler route towards Wembley appeared probable when Giles Coke was cautioned for the second time within the first half-hour and then Andy Robinson equalised from a penalty 10 minutes later. "It's a missed opportunity," said the Leeds manager, Gary McAllister. "Doom-and-gloom people will say it's a bad result but I'm not going to lose any sleep."
It was evident that Leeds' threat came from the flanks. The wings, Robinson and Robert Snodgrass, adopted starting positions on either touchline, allowing them to stretch the game and embark on angled runs towards the penalty box. Each struck the woodwork after veering infield to shoot. Paul Telfer was similarly unfortunate when his header was cleared by Danny Jackman, who was on sentry duty on the line. "On another night we could have got four or five," added McAllister.
"The harder you work, the luckier you get and we rode our luck at times," said the Northampton manager, Stuart Gray. "It was backs to the wall, like a forwards-versus-defence training exercise."
Among the crowd at the sparsely populated Elland Road was Tony Adams, the new Portsmouth manager, who saw proof of the precocity of the 18-year-old Fabian Delph. Already the subject of a bid from Newcastle, the Leeds midfielder displayed explosive speed and skill, producing a counter-attack curtailed only by the illegal challenge which resulted in Coke's exit.
At that stage Northampton had led after Scott McGleish, on loan from Wycombe Wanderers, pounced from close range to net his 203rd career goal after a swift break by Ryan Gilligan. Leeds require added firepower themselves and may offer a contract to the former Derby and Middlesbrough forward Malcolm Christie.
Leedsunited.com 7/11/08
HELD AT HOME
08 Nov 2008
United held at home by Northampton in FA Cup...
UNITED 1 (Robinson 37 pen), NORTHAMPTON 1 (McGleish 9)
United: Ankergren, Richardson, Michalik, Telfer, Parker (White 83), Snodgrass, Douglas, Delph, Howson (Showunmi 78), Becchio, Robinson. Subs: Lucas, Prutton, Kilkenny, Hughes, Webb.
Northampton: Fielding, Crowe, Hughes, Doig (Dyer 12), Jackman, Gilligan, Coke, McGleish (Bignall 53), Holt, Constantine (Davis 73), Dolman. Subs: Henderson, Dunn, Jones, Taylor.
Referee: M Oliver
Booked: White (United), Coke, Holt, Jackman (Northampton)
Sent-off: Coke (Northampton)
Att: 9531
nited's first round clash against Northampton marked the start of the FA Cup proper, and the game got off to a fiery start when Giles Coke was booked for a lunge on Ben Parker.
Luciano Becchio fired an early effort over the top, but the visitors shocked Elland Road when Scott McGleish fired Northampton into an early lead.
Ryan Gilligan escaped down the left and his low cross was converted by McGleish, after former United striker Leon Constantine made a nuisance of himself on the edge of the six-yard box.
nited were almost back on level terms eight minutes later when Paul Telfer had a header cleared off the line, following a corner.
Worryingly, Northampton had the ball in the net again on 20 minutes, but the strike was ruled out by an offside flag.
But there was drama after just 26 minutes when the visitors were reduced to 10 men. Coke received his second yellow card of the night for a cynical challenge on Fabian Delph in the middle of the park.
And, from the resultant free-kick, Lubo Michalik almost became an unlikely goal hero when he sent a powerfully struck volley fizzing wide of the mark.
United had a couple of chances, but Northampton had another chance after Andy Holt played in Gilligan who was denied by Casper Ankergren. His block fell to McGleish who tried his luck from 40 yards, but fired over the top.
At the other end, Jonny Howson forced Frank Fielding into making a save after good work by Becchio.
But on 36 minutes, United were awarded a penalty after Mark Hughes was adjudged to have fouled Howson. Andy Robinson stepped up to take the spot-kick and coolly executed his finish.
There was a bizarre incident on 40 minutes when visiting goalkeeper Fielding attempted to keep a Michalik shot in play and Becchio seized upon the loose ball, but fired wide.
Moments later, Robinson rattled the upright with a right-foot shot from distance. Jonathan Douglas also had a shot blocked by Hughes.
Howson was next to go close when he hit the side-netting from a tight angle following a Frazer Richardson cross. From the resultant corner, Delph lifted a shot over the top.
United also fashioned out the first chance of the second period when Robinson fired over the top after cutting inside.
The second goal almost came in style moments later when Rob Snodgrass let the ball go across him before delivering a superb left-footed strike which rattled the post.
Snodgrass also tested Fielding with a well-struck free-kick on 63 minutes as United continued the search for a second.
Howson had an opportunity with a header after finding space, while Robinson tried his luck with a curling shot from distance.
United were dominating the clash, but the visitors were defending doggedly with men behind the ball in the hope of keeping parity.
On 72 minutes, Fielding was called upon to get down well to deny Delph after the youngster broke from midfield.
With 12 minutes remaining, McAllister made his first change of the game, introducing Enoch Showunmi in place of Howson. His first involvement sparked a goalmouth scramble as United continued to press in the hope of settling the tie.
Showunmi thought he had claims for a penalty after falling in the box, and Jonathan Douglas had a shot deflected into the arms of Fielding, but United were unable to find a way through as the clock started to tick down.
Robinson had a free-kick saved in the final minute of normal time, but there was no winning goal, and the two sides must now meet again.
The replay is set for Sixfields on Tuesday November 18 (7.45pm).
HELD AT HOME
08 Nov 2008
United held at home by Northampton in FA Cup...
UNITED 1 (Robinson 37 pen), NORTHAMPTON 1 (McGleish 9)
United: Ankergren, Richardson, Michalik, Telfer, Parker (White 83), Snodgrass, Douglas, Delph, Howson (Showunmi 78), Becchio, Robinson. Subs: Lucas, Prutton, Kilkenny, Hughes, Webb.
Northampton: Fielding, Crowe, Hughes, Doig (Dyer 12), Jackman, Gilligan, Coke, McGleish (Bignall 53), Holt, Constantine (Davis 73), Dolman. Subs: Henderson, Dunn, Jones, Taylor.
Referee: M Oliver
Booked: White (United), Coke, Holt, Jackman (Northampton)
Sent-off: Coke (Northampton)
Att: 9531
nited's first round clash against Northampton marked the start of the FA Cup proper, and the game got off to a fiery start when Giles Coke was booked for a lunge on Ben Parker.
Luciano Becchio fired an early effort over the top, but the visitors shocked Elland Road when Scott McGleish fired Northampton into an early lead.
Ryan Gilligan escaped down the left and his low cross was converted by McGleish, after former United striker Leon Constantine made a nuisance of himself on the edge of the six-yard box.
nited were almost back on level terms eight minutes later when Paul Telfer had a header cleared off the line, following a corner.
Worryingly, Northampton had the ball in the net again on 20 minutes, but the strike was ruled out by an offside flag.
But there was drama after just 26 minutes when the visitors were reduced to 10 men. Coke received his second yellow card of the night for a cynical challenge on Fabian Delph in the middle of the park.
And, from the resultant free-kick, Lubo Michalik almost became an unlikely goal hero when he sent a powerfully struck volley fizzing wide of the mark.
United had a couple of chances, but Northampton had another chance after Andy Holt played in Gilligan who was denied by Casper Ankergren. His block fell to McGleish who tried his luck from 40 yards, but fired over the top.
At the other end, Jonny Howson forced Frank Fielding into making a save after good work by Becchio.
But on 36 minutes, United were awarded a penalty after Mark Hughes was adjudged to have fouled Howson. Andy Robinson stepped up to take the spot-kick and coolly executed his finish.
There was a bizarre incident on 40 minutes when visiting goalkeeper Fielding attempted to keep a Michalik shot in play and Becchio seized upon the loose ball, but fired wide.
Moments later, Robinson rattled the upright with a right-foot shot from distance. Jonathan Douglas also had a shot blocked by Hughes.
Howson was next to go close when he hit the side-netting from a tight angle following a Frazer Richardson cross. From the resultant corner, Delph lifted a shot over the top.
United also fashioned out the first chance of the second period when Robinson fired over the top after cutting inside.
The second goal almost came in style moments later when Rob Snodgrass let the ball go across him before delivering a superb left-footed strike which rattled the post.
Snodgrass also tested Fielding with a well-struck free-kick on 63 minutes as United continued the search for a second.
Howson had an opportunity with a header after finding space, while Robinson tried his luck with a curling shot from distance.
United were dominating the clash, but the visitors were defending doggedly with men behind the ball in the hope of keeping parity.
On 72 minutes, Fielding was called upon to get down well to deny Delph after the youngster broke from midfield.
With 12 minutes remaining, McAllister made his first change of the game, introducing Enoch Showunmi in place of Howson. His first involvement sparked a goalmouth scramble as United continued to press in the hope of settling the tie.
Showunmi thought he had claims for a penalty after falling in the box, and Jonathan Douglas had a shot deflected into the arms of Fielding, but United were unable to find a way through as the clock started to tick down.
Robinson had a free-kick saved in the final minute of normal time, but there was no winning goal, and the two sides must now meet again.
The replay is set for Sixfields on Tuesday November 18 (7.45pm).