01-15-2008, 02:45 AM
CREWE 0, UNITED 1 (Beckford 36)
Crewe: B Wiliams, Woodards, Baudet, McCready, Abbey, Roberts, Cox, Rix, (Miller 62) O'Connor (Carrington 77), Lowe (Moore 62), Maynard. Subs: O'Donnell, O Wiliams.
United: Ankergren, Richardson, Huntington, Kenton, Parker, Prutton (Johnson 71), Kilkenny, Hughes, Sweeney, Beckford, Flo (Kandol 77). Subs: Heath, Thompson, Weston.
Referee: K Friend
Booked: Kenton (Leeds)
Att: 6,771 (1995 Leeds)
After a busy week in the transfer market, Dennis Wise handed debuts to two of his new signings with Darren Kenton, on loan from Leicester, and Peter Sweeney both being named in the starting line-up. Another new recruit, Bradley Johnson, was named among the subs while skipper Alan Thompson also returned to the bench after injury. It was one of those new signings, Sweeney, who had the first shot at goal when he fired wide after 90 seconds, following a half-cleared free-kick. Moments later, Andrew Hughes headed a Sweeney corner against the bar as Leeds started brightly.![[Image: 0,,10273%7E3529537,00.gif]](http://www.leedsunited.com/javaImages/41/db/0,,10273%7E3529537,00.gif)
It was a good opening by United, who passed the ball well and looked a threat from the first whistle. United's movement was good, and Tore Andre Flo was next to go close after 17 minutes when scooped a shot wide after Jermaine Beckford held the ball up. But it was Casper Ankergren who made the first save of the game when he got down well to deny Michael O'Connor with a powerful header on 20 minutes. United's final delivery in the box was the key factor in keeping chances to a minimum during the opening half-hour - Crewe only threatened briefly - but the deadlock was broken on 36 minutes when Beckford bagged his 16th goal of the season. The striker latched onto a deep cross from Sweeney and headed beyond the reach of a struggling Ben Williams to give United a deserved lead in the contest. Sweeney was again the tormentor in the final minute of the half when he delivered another threatening cross from the left, but no one was able to make a connection. United were also quick out of the blocks at the start of the second period, and just 90 seconds in, there were furious protests aimed at the referee after claims that a Frazer Richardson was blatantly handled on the line by Ben Rix. Crewe responded immediately by forcing Ankergren into making another good save, and the entertainment continued as both sides moved the ball quickly. Both Kenton and Ben Parker made timely blocks to deny the hosts as they started to look more of a threat when in possession. The crossbar also came to the rescue after 69 minutes when Chris McCready rattled a header against the woodwork. With 19 minutes remaining, Bradley Johnson became the third debut of the night when he replaced David Prutton. The youngster's first involvement was to release Andrew Hughes in a good position, but his cross-cum-shot fizzed across the face of goal. Tresor Kandol was introduced on 77 minutes and his first real involvement was to hold the ball up and create a chance for Beckford - but the striker was unable to apply the finishing touch. As the assistant referee signalled four minutes of added time, Frazer Richardson tested Williams with a shot from distance as United looked to seal the points. And that proved to be the last action of the game as United recorded a first away win since November to move back into third place in League One.
Crewe: B Wiliams, Woodards, Baudet, McCready, Abbey, Roberts, Cox, Rix, (Miller 62) O'Connor (Carrington 77), Lowe (Moore 62), Maynard. Subs: O'Donnell, O Wiliams.
United: Ankergren, Richardson, Huntington, Kenton, Parker, Prutton (Johnson 71), Kilkenny, Hughes, Sweeney, Beckford, Flo (Kandol 77). Subs: Heath, Thompson, Weston.
Referee: K Friend
Booked: Kenton (Leeds)
Att: 6,771 (1995 Leeds)
After a busy week in the transfer market, Dennis Wise handed debuts to two of his new signings with Darren Kenton, on loan from Leicester, and Peter Sweeney both being named in the starting line-up. Another new recruit, Bradley Johnson, was named among the subs while skipper Alan Thompson also returned to the bench after injury. It was one of those new signings, Sweeney, who had the first shot at goal when he fired wide after 90 seconds, following a half-cleared free-kick. Moments later, Andrew Hughes headed a Sweeney corner against the bar as Leeds started brightly.
It was a good opening by United, who passed the ball well and looked a threat from the first whistle. United's movement was good, and Tore Andre Flo was next to go close after 17 minutes when scooped a shot wide after Jermaine Beckford held the ball up. But it was Casper Ankergren who made the first save of the game when he got down well to deny Michael O'Connor with a powerful header on 20 minutes. United's final delivery in the box was the key factor in keeping chances to a minimum during the opening half-hour - Crewe only threatened briefly - but the deadlock was broken on 36 minutes when Beckford bagged his 16th goal of the season. The striker latched onto a deep cross from Sweeney and headed beyond the reach of a struggling Ben Williams to give United a deserved lead in the contest. Sweeney was again the tormentor in the final minute of the half when he delivered another threatening cross from the left, but no one was able to make a connection. United were also quick out of the blocks at the start of the second period, and just 90 seconds in, there were furious protests aimed at the referee after claims that a Frazer Richardson was blatantly handled on the line by Ben Rix. Crewe responded immediately by forcing Ankergren into making another good save, and the entertainment continued as both sides moved the ball quickly. Both Kenton and Ben Parker made timely blocks to deny the hosts as they started to look more of a threat when in possession. The crossbar also came to the rescue after 69 minutes when Chris McCready rattled a header against the woodwork. With 19 minutes remaining, Bradley Johnson became the third debut of the night when he replaced David Prutton. The youngster's first involvement was to release Andrew Hughes in a good position, but his cross-cum-shot fizzed across the face of goal. Tresor Kandol was introduced on 77 minutes and his first real involvement was to hold the ball up and create a chance for Beckford - but the striker was unable to apply the finishing touch. As the assistant referee signalled four minutes of added time, Frazer Richardson tested Williams with a shot from distance as United looked to seal the points. And that proved to be the last action of the game as United recorded a first away win since November to move back into third place in League One.