Leeds United 2 Preston North End 1 – Calm Heads. After a rather chaotic start with three goals in thirteen minutes Leeds needed calm heads to see out what became a rather nervous ending as Leeds saw off Preston, go back to the tip of the table, and edge closer to guaranteed promotion.
Another lunch time kick off, this time with rivals Sheffield United playing away at Plymouth Argyle. We were in the west stand paddock below Preston North End (PNE) fans. It seems they had already given up on the season and couldn’t be bothered to take the short trip down the motorway to see their team play. For Leeds, we were buoyant after an exhausting midweek away win against Middlesbrough.
With the loss of Struijk and – player of the season – James, this was when other players need to step up and get Leeds over the line: especially Gnonto. We needed at least three wins and a couple of more points to get promoted.
It was one of those lunchtime starts when we were not sure what was going to happen at first. And, at first, we were not disappointed.
Leeds camped out in on the PNE penalty box for the first five minutes and Solomon scored a cracking shot across goal. But Firpo was then caught napping on the left back for PNE to immediately equalise. It looked like one of those early kick offs when Leeds don’t game manage again.
Thankfully we settled down, soaked up the pressure and then moved forward in numbers with Bogle running into the box to put Leeds back ahead. PNE failed to get a head of steam after that and Leeds kept looking for that vital third goal. Aaronson, Gnonto and Piroe all tested the keeper.
The second half was full of mounting tension as Leeds failed to get that third goal to put the match to bed. The shots kept coming but they were not clinical enough. Leeds had 20 shots through the match so there was no effort spared. Maybe they missed James and Rothwell.
In return Preston had rare moments when they searched for that equaliser, but offered little threat apart from a set piece corner that forced a fine save from Darlow.
As the match marched on Farke brought on Bamford, over Joseph,who looked hungry enough to have deserved a start and Schmidt, who had also become a regular sub, over Ramazani.
Then came the huge roar from the fans as Plymouth Argyle equalised against Sheffield United, and then shortly after when Plymouth scored again to eventually go and win the match. The atmosphere became electric as Leeds fans knew the impact of victory today would give them a five pint gap over Sheffield United. PNE fans could only sing about how Leeds had managed only a one goal lead.
When the whistle finally blew the crowd exploded with joy – back at the top of the table on goal difference and one more step closer to promotion. With Sheffield United losing for the third match in a row it made Leeds’ promotion campaign a little bit easier. After their recent wobble Leeds’ showed calm heads prevailed.
Rodon and Ampadu were imperious in defence. Darlow caught everything that past in front of him. He has shown to be that safe pair of hands we needed. Although his yellow card for a punch of the ball outside his area nearly left to an equaliser. Solomon’s work rate cooker balanced Gnonto having a quiet game
Man of the match: Manor Solomon who terrorised the PNE defence cutting inside and out.
