Leeds United 1 Plymouth Argyle 1: Winger strikes but replay awaits, fifth round draw details — YEP 27/1/24
Leeds United took on Plymouth Argyle at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
By Lee Sobot
Leeds United will face another long trip to Plymouth Argyle
for an FA Cup replay after being pegged back for a 1-1 draw in Saturday
afternoon's fourth round clash at Elland Road.
Jaidon Anthony fired Leeds ahead with a terrific goal just
after the half-hour mark but Plymouth equalised as Adam Randell finished off a
counter in the 73rd minute, sending the game to a replay.
The draw for the fifth round of the competition will take
place on Sunday afternoon, live on ITV from around 2pm ahead of the 2.30pm
kick-off between Liverpool and Norwich City at Anfield.
Leeds or Plymouth will be ball no 12 in a draw for the last
16 which includes Maidstone United after their shock 2-1 win at United's
Championship promotion rivals Ipswich Town.
Whites boss Daniel Farke made six changes to his side for
Saturday's cup tie and rested star man Crysencio Summerville but still named a
strong side.
Plymouth were twice saved by the woodwork in the 13th minute
as Georginio Rutter played in Anthony whose shot came back off the post and
Willy Gnonto's attempt on the follow-up was deflected onto the crossbar.
But Leeds went ahead in the 31st minute through a terrific
individual goal from winger Anthony who was booked for his celebration to his
recently passed mother.
The Bournemouth loanee received a pass from Sam Byram on the
left and then weaved his way into the box before producing a superb strike into
the opposite corner of the goal.
The winger celebrated by paying tribute to his recently
passed mother Donna by taking his shirt off to unveil a 'rest in perfect peace
mum' message but a booking followed from referee Lewis Smith, to huge boos from
the South Stand.
His strike gave Leeds a 1-0 advantage heading into the break
and there were no changes during the interval, after which Plymouth briefly
threatened with a couple of attacks that were seen off without too much alarm.
Leeds then looked to push on and bag a second but only a
goalline clearance from Byram denied Plymouth an equaliser in the 64th minute,
the full-back scarpering back to keep out a lob from Ryan Hardie who had been
played in over the top.
Plymouth then pressed for a leveller but Willy Gnonto
squandered a chance to double the Whites advantage after being played in by
Rutter, only to turn back inside and fire well wide.
Instead, Plymouth equalised moments later with a flowing
counter, finished off by Randell who was picked out in the middle by a cross
from the left from substitute Mustapha Bundu before applying a simple finish
past Meslier as he got in behind the Whites defence.
Plymouth then sensed a winner and pushed on but Anthony was
denied by a good save from Pilgrims keeper Conor Hazard as Farke's side looked
to go back ahead.
As the clock hit the 82nd minute marker, Farke brought on
both Patrick Bamford and Junior Firpo, following on first substitute Ian
Poveda.
With his first touch, a Bamford header from a corner was
saved on the line. Moments later, a brilliant dipping attempt from Ilia Gruev
was turned over the bar via another excellent Hazard save.
Another chance then went begging as Anthony's cross picked
out Joel Piroe who blasted a volley just wide. As the clock reached 90, Mateo
Joseph was brought on to replace Rutter.
