United are back! United are back!
By Ethel Kuntt
August 18 2009
Simon Grayson's men made it four wins out of four tonight with a thoroughly deserved - though hard fought - 2-1 win at Walsall's Banks' Stadium. We are now joint top with Colchester and Charlton who also have 100% records, but have slightly superior goal difference. Especially Colchester.
After a couple of lack-lustre first halves in recent games, it was important for Leeds to hit the ground running against Walsall and show the world that we can sustain a performance over the full 90 minutes.
And we certainly hurtled out of the blocks. A couple of early corners were followed by a Jermaine Beckford header which Walsall keeper Clayton Ince did brilliantly to turn onto a post. Leeds continued to press throughout the first half against a very well organised Walsall team and were unlucky not to go in front just before the break, when the lively Beckford was judged offside when clean through.
After the break it was much of the same, with Beckford again testing Ince on more than one occasion. But as the game drifted on, that vital breakthrough just wouldn't come.
Then - on 80 minutes - disaster struck. Rui Marques was harshly judged to have brought down an opponent in the area and Walsall's new striker Sam Parkin made it two penalty conversions in two games to put the Saddlers ahead.
But this is not the Leeds of last season. Grayson's men rolled up their shirt sleeves, gritted their teeth and threw everything into attack.
On 83 minutes they got their reward - a superb diving header from a Robinson corner by Bradley Johnson deservedly pulling us level. And - moments later - Rui Marques atoned for his earlier error with an excellent through ball which was finished calmly by the magnificent Jermaine Beckford. Even when ahead, we still pressed for more with Robert Snodgrass firing into the side netting in the 90th minute.
So overall, a thoroughly deserved win and our 100% record intact. More importantly, we gave a performance worthy of promotion chasers and showed immense character when we fell behind against the run of play.
Well done lads - roll on Tranmere on Saturday!!!
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IM MEMORY OF THE BEST CAPTAIN AND GREATEST MANAGER IN OUR HISTORY--RIP BILLY AND DON
2013 PREDICTION LEAGUE---5TH
