Positives shared following Farsley pre-season scorcher
YEP 8/7/13by Phil Hay
Pre-season results rarely matter when clubs taste defeat and the same rules apply to games that they win.
Farsley offered Leeds United fragile resistance on Saturday but the fit, sharp and sprightly group of players who recorded United’s first summer victory did what they could to satisfy their manager.
“It ticked all the boxes,” said Brian McDermott as he reflected with perspective on a 5-0 scoreline. That was true for Leeds and Farsley AFC. The non-league club were overwhelmed by United’s football yet richly rewarded by the visitors’ pulling power. Some 2,000 spectators packed into Throstle Nest, producing what should be Farsley’s biggest crowd of the year.
For McDermott, the first of seven senior friendlies gave him what he was looking for. Two of his new signings, Matt Smith and Noel Hunt, shared in the goals and the other – Luke Murphy – completed the last 13 minutes. Leeds scored five times, avoided concessions and suffered only one injury of note, to young midfielder Simon Lenighan. The heavy tackle which left Ross McCormack limping did not stop him travelling on tour to Slovenia today.
The sun scorched the grass in north west Leeds but McDermott’s teams – a different XI fielded at the start of each half – stepped into their flow easily, nine days after reporting back for training. Dominic Poleon’s strike after five minutes, scored on the run after Michael Tonge played him into the box, began a not-unexpected procession of goals.
Poleon, 19, is growing rapidly into his first-team shirt but he might be asked to bide his time next season. Matt Smith on the other hand is a striker who McDermott will depend on heavily. Making his first appearance for Leeds on Saturday, the free transfer from Oldham Athletic stole the show with two headed finishes before half-time and a deft chip which clattered the crossbar. In the space of 45 minutes he might have score four.
“I think he’s worth more than a free transfer off the back of that,” McDermott said.
“Look at what God gave him. He’s 6’4”, he can bring people into the game, play with his right foot, left foot and score goals.
“I was watching him finish in the warm-up – right foot, left foot, it made no difference. He reminds me a lot of Dave Kitson when he came to Reading. I didn’t actually know which foot Dave favoured. It’s very similar with Matt although I don’t want to make comparisons. Matt Smith is Matt Smith.”
Smith claimed his first goal on 22 minutes, heading home a close-range chance created skilfully by Poleon, and scored again in similar fashion when Tonge worked a corner to the back post. Farsley were hard-pressed throughout; their goalkeeper, Tom Morgan, saved a low attempt from Smith after McCormack dribbled behind Farsley’s defence and could do nothing about a 30-yard Michael Brown shot which shook the frame of the goal.
Leeds were 3-0 up at the interval and five goals to the good by the 62nd minute as the recently-arrived Hunt produced a precise header from Luke Varney’s cross and Aidan White ran unimpeded over 15 yards before lashing a shot into the corner of the net.
“It was tough conditions and a full house so I think it was a worthwhile exercise for us and a worthwhile exercise for Farsley,” McDermott said. “We’re all pleased I hope.
“From the first game when I took charge – against Sheffield Wednesday – I’ve talked about fitness and what the players have to do to look after themselves. I keep giving the same message. To be absolutely honest they’ve come back really, really well.”
Lenighan has been ruled out of United’s tour to Slovenia and did not fly with the squad today. Ryan Hall is also remaining in England and did not feature on Saturday with his partner due to give birth. More significantly, a shin infection affecting El-Hadji Diouf has forced him to continue undergoing treatment at home this week.
McDermott rested Rodolph Austin after his recent round of games for Jamaica and is also protecting the fitness of Jamie Ashdown and Sam Byram but all three players have headed to Eastern Europe to work in what is likely to be heat beyond the high temperatures of Farsley. Leeds are also likely to encounter more capable opposition, honest and committed through Farsley were. Paddy Miller came closest for them with a late cross which hit a post.
“I spoke to the players beforehand and told them that every time you play for Leeds United, you put your reputation on the line,” McDermott said.
“That’s the message for the season really.”