Starting Line-Ups

Referee: Tony Bates (Staffordshire)

Assistant Referees: David Foster (Tyne & Wear) Chris Reeves (Yorkshire)

4th Official: Keith Lawson (Lincolnshire)

Attendance: 21318

Match Round-Up:

4th Place up for grabs!

So we started the day with Shaun Derry "spouting" in the quality newspaper known as The Sun, more proof that both teams have been looking forward to this match and both feel they have a score to settle. Then 7:35 and the teams are announced, the first shock of the night! Gareth, Elliott and Grant dropped! Dyer, Sinclair and Beast in. The first half started, continued and finished really well for the Clarets. Within minutes we had put Dyer through and he showed terrifying pace with Leeds defenders getting their first shock of the night! After a few minutes of play it became apparent how we were lining up. We had five at the back when defending but when attacking we had Duff and Harley running up the flanks with Dyer playing a sort of free role, almost providing a 2nd attacker. This is amazing after the last few weeks of our guaranteed 4-5-1. Leeds stayed dangerous throughout but we constantly pressed and threatened having 7 corners to their 1 at one point. A few niggling tackles etc from Derry on Hyde (funny that) but all in all Burnley were playing the better football and having the biggest possession. The first 45 ended with still no score but a great second half ahead if we can maintain this sort of quality in play.

A much better start to the second half for Leeds. They came out having obviously been given a good talking too! Much more physical presence and the usual niggling and annoying on the floor messing from Hulse. And then it happened, Duff goes in, right on the edge of the area and catches Lewis, Penalty to Leeds! Local Radio felt it was outside but what does it matter, Healey steps up, Brian gets a touch on it but it's too good a shot and against the run of play, Leeds are 1 up. Ok don't panic we can come back from this! We go up the other end and get a free kick, Harley steps up and smashes it into the right hand corner, DISALLOWED says the Ref we took it too quickly! Three disallowed goals in two games, we could start to feel slightly aggrieved with our match officials! The game carried on and we had the usual tactics, Sullivan holding the ball too long, and guess what Hulse falling to the floor a lot! (Anyone reckon he's been taking coaching from Ian Moore!) Twenty minutes to go and the ref starts again (!) he awards a free kick when everyone except Leeds fans will agree it wasn't! Of course Robbie Blake would step up and would hit it in the top right corner! 2-0. We made changes and went 4-4-2 we never stopped trying, but it wasn't enough and we fell to our first victory in what seems like ages!

Final Comments: We all knew this was going to be a tough one! In some respects I feel aggrieved with what appeared to be a "homer" of a ref (DOH)! We tried, we surprised them, and not many teams will go to ER and try and take them on. We have nothing to be ashamed about! We are still only TWO points off the play off places and there are much wealthier, bigger clubs below us! 3 points against Crewe on Saturday and then Sheff Utd, Southampton and Watford all to come. Christmas could still be a happy time. KEEP THE FAITH

Stats:

Possession:
Leeds 49%
Burnley 51%

Shots:
Leeds 11
Burnley 11

Corners:
Leeds 3
Burnley 9

Fouls:
Leeds 12
Burnley 21

Leeds

N Sullivan, G Kelly (J Douglas 89), P Butler, M Kilgallon, D Harding, L Miller, S Derry, E Lewis, D Healy (F Richardson 79), R Hulse, R Blake (D Pugh 90)

Subs not used: S Gregan, I Bennett

Burnley

B Jensen, M Duff (W Elliott 79), F Sinclair, J McGreal, K Lowe, J Harley, M Hyde, J O'Connor, J Spicer (D Karbassiyoon 79), N Dyer, A Akinbiyi

Subs not used: L Grant, G Noel-Williams, G O'Connor

Steve Cotterill's Post Match Comments:

"We deserved more and their goal was against the run of play. We didn't take our chances as well as we have been doing though so we need to improve on Saturday."

Tranzics Comment: We should give credit to SC for trying a new formation which came so close to getting the result. Also taking heart from our strongest bench this season.

Other Full Time Scores:

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