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treva · 15-05-08, 05:08 PM

Pre-Season 2008

After the summer dealings were over it was off to Peterhead for our first game of the season and my first game in charge. An ease into managing for Leeds, but that still didn't mean I would let the players go easy. I wanted a win and I wanted a good performance. Away to Peterhead was never going to be that fun with a small pitch against a quite poor footballing side. Nevertheless we should've had enough to brush them aside. I went with a side that had played together last season, all my new signings on the bench. A bad start, Lee Collins picks up an injury just 11 minutes in. Leon Constantine had a few chances as did their strikers, but both keepers were up to the task. Things went from bad to worse injury wise, Frazer Richardson going off after 32 minutes. At least it gave me a chance to place Jamie Adams at centre back. Half time and it was 0-0. Daniel Sikorski replaced Leon Constantine. Again both sides had good chances but with a few good saves and some poor finishing it stayed at 0-0. 7 minutes from time we found that goal we wanted. Kennedy picked up the ball just inside their half and sent a through ball on to Sikorski. Sikorski took it past the defender and slotted it into the back of the net. A win in my first game was a big relief, no matter who it came against.

Peterhead 0-1 Leeds
Daniel Sikorski '83

Next up was to Milton Keynes to face the MK Dons. Collins kept his place after recovering from his dead leg, whilst Richardson stayed on the bench after gashing his arm against Peterhead. The other change was Sikorski in for Constantine. 14 minutes in and we had our lead. A good move finished off by Beckford after a pin point cross from Shuker. Pretty even from then on in, chances being missed left right and centre all game. After making a good account of ourselves, we deserved a victory, but that was not to be. With 2 minutes to go they got the equaliser. A counter attack, after we were pilling on the pressure to finish them off, was scored by Fardon from a cross that flew straight across the six yard box. A disappointing end to a good performance, but I was happy with the overall look of things.

MK Dons 1-1 Leeds
Troy Fardon '88 - Jermaine Beckford '14

Our final encounter of the pre-season was at home to Leicester. Leicester were promoted to the Premiership through the play-offs, so it would be a very tough game. Bit of a change up top with Constantine and Piotrowski partnering for the first time. The game started very badly for us, going behind after just 2 minutes. A poor kick from Ankergren gave Kishishev the chance to put a ball in to Fryatt. Fryatt was never going to miss 10 yards out and we were 1 down. Chances came thick and fast for the next 15 minutes, both teams having opportunities to score. Again it was Leicester to make the most of the chances, making it 2-0 after just 20 minutes. A good passing move was finished by Wesolowski from 18 yards who hit a cracking low shot past Ankergren. From then until the 50th minute it went quiet. Will Hoskins replaced Constantine at half time. They started to have some real good chances to finish the game, but we managed to hold them off. On 65 minutes the decisive point in the game came. Will Hoskins found himself in space in the box after a lovely ball by Howson, only to hit the base of the post. Hoskins did put the ball in the back of the net 5 minutes later, a counter attack that was set on it's way by Heath's clearance to Beckford. We pushed and pushed but North kept us out in the Leicester goal. It finished 2-1, but a performance like that against a Premiership side was delightful to watch. It had been a good pre-season, and hopes of making the Championship looked good for this season...

Leeds 1-2 Leicester
Will Hoskins '70 - Matt Fryatt '2, James Wesolowski '20