Leeds United set out to retain their perfect start to the season and beat a thirty six year old record without star striker Jermaine Beckford who was ruled out on Saturday morning with a hamstring injury, he was replaced in the starting line-up by Mike Grella. Leigh Bromby was handed his debut and Lubomir Michalik his first league start of the year replacing Rui Marques and Patrick Kisnorbo who were both away on international duty. Â
Any fears Leeds would miss Jermaine Beckford were put to rest early on when Mike Grella tucked the ball away on nine minutes after a one two with Bradley Johnson just inside the Stockport area. Grella looked delighted to have scored his first league goal; hopefully this will be just the first of many.
Rob Snodgrass had a good effort saved a couple of minutes after the restart but other than that chances were few and far between. Stockport packed the midfield but a commanding, combative display from Michael Doyle meant Leeds were still largely on top. Any chances Stockport did have were swept up by assured debutant Bromby and Lubo Michalik with Snodgrass and Johnson providing a good outlet down the wings.
Lubo Michalik makes it two nil
On twenty five minutes Leigh Bromby demonstrated his long throw in, Michalik flicking the ball on for Grella who headed just wide. Another throw in from the opposite side a few minutes later caused Stockport similar issues; Bromby’s throw could cause teams a lot of problems this season. Rob Snodgrass was taken out by Greg Tansey on the half hour mark, the referee allowed play to go on but failed to discipline the Stockport player when the ball went dead.
A similar challenge a few minutes later by Michael Doyle on David Poole lead to him going in the book causing much anger from the crowd. Another challenge on Snodgrass on thirty five minutes lead to a free kick on the left hand side which Snodgrass took himself. Bromby challenged with the keeper who fumbled the ball into the path of Lubo Michalik who tucked the ball away for Leeds second goal. Simon Grayson made a tactical change just before the break with Neil Kilkenny coming on for Michael Doyle, had he not Doyle would probably have been sent off.
Fan taken footage of Snodgrass penalty
Early on in the second half Mike Grella shot over the bar, he should have done a bit better with it really, after a good move from Bradley Johnson down the left hand side. Stockport replied with a couple of chances but Higgs made some good saves and had looked untroubled for most of the game.
Close to the hour mark Leeds were awarded a penalty after John Mullins handled the ball in the area. With Beckford absent penalty taking duties fell to Rob Snodgrass who saw his spot kick saved by the Stockport keeper.
It was a pretty poor effort, weak and to the right hand side, this will no doubt prompt debate on who should be the designated penalty taker after Beckford's miss in the play offs last season.
Bromby pulled up with cramp after casing a Stockport attacker and prompted Grayson to make his second substitution of the game. Bromby had played well up to this point but his lack of match fitness was clear at this point. Robinson, who was already lined up to come on, replaced him, this meant Crowe moving to the centre of defence, Johnson to left back and Hughes to the right hand side.
These changes gave Leeds a bit of a renewed attacking momentum with Robinson and Johnson both working hard down the left hand side. Johnson set up Neil Kilkenny with a nice cross but the Stockport keeper managed to get there first and push the ball away. It was good to see Kilkenny get half a game after coming back from injury. He showed a nice touch and passing style though we lacked bite after Doyle had left the fray.
Enoch Showunmi came on for Mike Grella for the final twenty minutes. He showed some good skill, on one particular instance performing a nice step over before delivering a good cross, the ball was cleared back in his direction and he demonstrated his usual clinical finishing by shooting well wide. Stockport had the better of the last few minutes but the makeshift defence held strong and Higgs made a few good saves.
Not the greatest of games but Leeds did not falter from the task and kept the pressure on Charlton who had won earlier in the day. It was good to see we can still win without our main striker and first choice centre back partnership, it shows the strength in depth and spirit in the current squad.
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