Leeds United 3 Hartlepool United 2
It was a fairly tight game, but Leeds finally squeezed through with a cross-cum-shot from Andy Robinson, as late as the 91st. minute.
Gary Mc.Allister kept to his word, and rang the changes for this Carling Cup tie, although ten of the starting eleven have played for us in the league at some stage this season. Ironically, the one man who was playing for the first time was the one enforced change, with young Ben Parker taking the field due to Sheehan’s suspension and White’s injury. Hughes popped up in yet another position, playing at right back this time, so he is truly becoming a latter day Paul Madeley.
With the defence coming together for the first time, it’s perhaps not surprising that they showed a lack of understanding at the start, and Hartlepool took advantage with the opening goal as early as the second minute. A quickly taken free kick was flicked on, to find Monkhouse running in beyond the far post, completely unmarked, and he made no mistake as he directed a firm header past Casper into the net.
But Leeds recovered quickly, and had already created decent chances for Kilkenny and Robinson by the time the equaliser came in the 14th. minute. Hartlepool were a bit too casual as they passed the ball across the face of their area, giving Snodgrass the opportunity to catch one of the central defender in possession. Having muscled his way onto the ball, he twisted and turned to create space for the shot, before rolling the ball past Lee-Barrat into the net.
It then looked as though Leeds would go on to dominate the game, with Howson seeing plenty of the ball in midfield, though unfortunately his shooting wasn’t up to the standards of that famous play-off game last year. So it was a bit of a shock when Hartlepool took the lead again in the 33rd. minute. Prutton was dispossessed and Porter came down their right inside past two defenders, before sending an-inch perfect chip over Casper into the corner of the net.
This time the goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of Leeds until half time, especially as we lost a bit of momentum when Snodgrass had to go off injured. In fact Hartlepool could have gone further in front, with Casper having to make saves from Sweeney and Jones. Thankfully Mc.Allister got them organised at half-time, as we came out after the break looking determined to get the equaliser.
Beckford put a header just over and even Showumni forced the keeper into a decent save, before we finally got back on terms again in the 57th. minute. Jesus chased the ball to the by-line, and although Beckford scooped his shot up against the bar, the ball bounced down kindly for Enoch to bundle it over the line. After that we kept up the pressure, with Beckord shooting just wide, and Liddle forced to make a clearance just over his own bar.
Macca decided to try to finish Hartlepool off, by sending Becchio and then Delph into the fray, and both showed some very good touches as Leeds tried to break them down. And with the game moving into injury time and extra time looking a certainty, it all finally paid off. Howson sent Robinson away down the right flank, and the tubby one made his way to the edge of the area, before sending a ball into the area that suddenly became an inch-perfect chip, as it passed over Lee-Barrat and dropped into the corner of the net. Whether he meant to do that or whether it was intended as a cross, I’ve no idea, but who cares. Leeds are through to the next round!
Let’s hope this time we can get a decent tie, preferably a Premiership team at home. The draw is on Saturday, so bring it on!