Leedsunited.com 13/7/10
UNITED MISS OUT IN SLOVAK OPENER
MFK RUZOMBEROK 1 (Chovanec 16), LEEDS UNITED 0
Ruzomberok: Hrdlicka, Gallo, Maslo, Kostelny, Radic, Sloboda, Bielak, Dubek, Chovanec, Bojo, Kroupa. Subs: Maslo, Sivcevic, Kotora, Kovac, Shaqiri, Hoferica, Pekar.
Leeds (1st half): Schmeichel (Martin), Crowe, Trialist, Collins, Bessone, Sam, Howson, Trialist, White, Grella, Becchio.
Leeds (2nd half); Martin (Higgs), Connolly, Lees, Bromby, Snodgrass, Kilkenny, Johnson, Gradel, Hughes, Somma, Paynter.
Leeds United kicked-off pre-season as a Championship club against Slovakian Premier League outfit MFK Ruzomberok.
United manager Simon Grayson handed new signings Kasper Schmeichel, Neill Collins, Fede Bessone, and Lloyd Sam the opportunity to play in the opening 45 minutes and Slovakian trialist duo Tomas Brusko and Marian Jarabica also started the game.
The hosts are poised to kick-off their campaign proper next week and there were signs of rustiness from Leeds during the opening exchanges. Collins made two good early clearances, the second after Schmeichel had failed to hold a low cross.
United looked to pass the ball around, Mike Grella should have won a free-kick after he looked to get on the end of one such move, but it was the home side who took the lead on 16 minutes.
A ball was played across the edge of the Leeds box and Jan Chovanec was able to pick his spot before blasting the ball beyond Schmeichel in the Leeds goal.
Moments later, Chovanec almost added a second following more pressure, but his effort was blocked.
The different stages both teams were at in their respective pre-seasons was evident given the differing pace and sharpness.
United did fashion out an opening when trialist Brusko shot wide following good work by LLoyd Sam, and there was more good work from the former Charlton youngster moments later when Leeds threatened again.
When Leeds attacked again a Luciano Becchio cross was too high for Mike Grella, and Grella also sent a low shot straight at the home goalkeeper.
But it was the hosts who were a real threat and, after Alan Martin replaced Schmeichel 33 minutes into the game, the Scot was fortunate to see Petger Styvar's header fly wide after he flapped at a cross. Vladimir Kovac also sent a shot wide when well-placed to do better.
As expected, Grayson made wholesale changes for the second period, Billy Paynter and Paul Connolly the men making their debuts.
And Leeds made a positive start to the second half, Dave Somma coming within a whisker of levelling matters after a great ball from Neil Kilkenny.
But Martin was called upon to push a powerful free-kick from Kovac around the post, before, moments later, blocking another effort.
United were playing with more purpose than in the opening period, although a couple of decisions went against Grayson's men.
Max Gradel was ruled offside, following good work from Kilkenny, Somma weaved his way into the box before appearing to be brought down but no penalty was awarded.
Paynter was also ruled offside when he shot over the top and what appeared to be a perfectly timed run by Somma was also halted by an offside flag.
Shane Higgs became goalkeeper number three shortly after the hour when he replaced Martin and his first involvement was to parry a low, skidding shot.
As the game headed towards it final quarter, it was United who were looking the better side. Max Gradel was lively on the left and his trickery caused the home side a few problems as United pushed for an equaliser.
Leeds were worthy of a leveller and after Kilkenny fired over, Robert Snodgrass rattled the inside of the upright after working himself a decent opening just inside the box.
On 84 minutes, Somma went even closer when he finished off another great run by hammering the ball home - only to be denied once again by an offside flag for what looked like the most marginal of calls.
But there was no final opportunity for United as the game petered out into a 1-0 victory for the home side.
UNITED MISS OUT IN SLOVAK OPENER
MFK RUZOMBEROK 1 (Chovanec 16), LEEDS UNITED 0
Ruzomberok: Hrdlicka, Gallo, Maslo, Kostelny, Radic, Sloboda, Bielak, Dubek, Chovanec, Bojo, Kroupa. Subs: Maslo, Sivcevic, Kotora, Kovac, Shaqiri, Hoferica, Pekar.
Leeds (1st half): Schmeichel (Martin), Crowe, Trialist, Collins, Bessone, Sam, Howson, Trialist, White, Grella, Becchio.
Leeds (2nd half); Martin (Higgs), Connolly, Lees, Bromby, Snodgrass, Kilkenny, Johnson, Gradel, Hughes, Somma, Paynter.
Leeds United kicked-off pre-season as a Championship club against Slovakian Premier League outfit MFK Ruzomberok.
United manager Simon Grayson handed new signings Kasper Schmeichel, Neill Collins, Fede Bessone, and Lloyd Sam the opportunity to play in the opening 45 minutes and Slovakian trialist duo Tomas Brusko and Marian Jarabica also started the game.
The hosts are poised to kick-off their campaign proper next week and there were signs of rustiness from Leeds during the opening exchanges. Collins made two good early clearances, the second after Schmeichel had failed to hold a low cross.
United looked to pass the ball around, Mike Grella should have won a free-kick after he looked to get on the end of one such move, but it was the home side who took the lead on 16 minutes.
A ball was played across the edge of the Leeds box and Jan Chovanec was able to pick his spot before blasting the ball beyond Schmeichel in the Leeds goal.
Moments later, Chovanec almost added a second following more pressure, but his effort was blocked.
The different stages both teams were at in their respective pre-seasons was evident given the differing pace and sharpness.
United did fashion out an opening when trialist Brusko shot wide following good work by LLoyd Sam, and there was more good work from the former Charlton youngster moments later when Leeds threatened again.
When Leeds attacked again a Luciano Becchio cross was too high for Mike Grella, and Grella also sent a low shot straight at the home goalkeeper.
But it was the hosts who were a real threat and, after Alan Martin replaced Schmeichel 33 minutes into the game, the Scot was fortunate to see Petger Styvar's header fly wide after he flapped at a cross. Vladimir Kovac also sent a shot wide when well-placed to do better.
As expected, Grayson made wholesale changes for the second period, Billy Paynter and Paul Connolly the men making their debuts.
And Leeds made a positive start to the second half, Dave Somma coming within a whisker of levelling matters after a great ball from Neil Kilkenny.
But Martin was called upon to push a powerful free-kick from Kovac around the post, before, moments later, blocking another effort.
United were playing with more purpose than in the opening period, although a couple of decisions went against Grayson's men.
Max Gradel was ruled offside, following good work from Kilkenny, Somma weaved his way into the box before appearing to be brought down but no penalty was awarded.
Paynter was also ruled offside when he shot over the top and what appeared to be a perfectly timed run by Somma was also halted by an offside flag.
Shane Higgs became goalkeeper number three shortly after the hour when he replaced Martin and his first involvement was to parry a low, skidding shot.
As the game headed towards it final quarter, it was United who were looking the better side. Max Gradel was lively on the left and his trickery caused the home side a few problems as United pushed for an equaliser.
Leeds were worthy of a leveller and after Kilkenny fired over, Robert Snodgrass rattled the inside of the upright after working himself a decent opening just inside the box.
On 84 minutes, Somma went even closer when he finished off another great run by hammering the ball home - only to be denied once again by an offside flag for what looked like the most marginal of calls.
But there was no final opportunity for United as the game petered out into a 1-0 victory for the home side.
