Plymouth v Leeds United 6th February 2024 at Home Park FA Cup 4th round replay please log in to view this image Having just got home 20 minutes short of a 24 hour round trip and despite getting soaked to the skin, I can only say it was worth it to get the result to progress into the next round of the cup with a trip to either Chelsea or Aston Villa. I ended up at Elland Road 90 minutes before we were due to leave as I dropped my granddaughter at Leeds College of Building first. I then had an interview with BBC Radio Leeds and once the coach arrived, we had to go via South Elmsall as we joined up with the South Kirkby branch of the Leeds United Supporters Club for the long trip south. We stopped off in Ivybridge with lots of others before getting to the ground 45 minutes before kick-off. It was nice to see some of our southern based fans who for once had a short journey to a game. Thoughts with those of our fans who were going straight to work in the morning. I’ve been there and done that so hope they manage to get through the day without falling asleep. Team: Meslier, Cooper, Gruev, Gnonto, Rodon, Anthony, Piroe, Firpo, Byram, Joseph, Kamara. Subs: Gray for Kamara (71), Gelhardt for Gnonto (71), Rutter for Anthony (81), Bamford for Joseph (81), Summerville for Byram (90). Subs not used: Klaesson, Cresswell, Van Den Heuvel, Ampadu. Leeds won the game 4-1 with goals from Gnonto (66), Summerville (97), Rutter (111), Gruev (117). Attendance: 16,636, 2,295 Leeds fans. Referee: Rob Jones. Booked: Rodon. With horrendous conditions on the pitch, with swirling wind and heavy rain, it wasn’t much better in the stand where we were behind the goal. I stayed at the front rather than in my seat as I didn’t like the way the stand was set out. It reminded me of Rotherham when a women landed next to me from the row above and broke her wrist. Someone else did the same as he didn’t feel safe either. Safe standing barriers would solve this fear of losing your balance as you could lean against the barrier but you’d be safe from anyone falling on you from behind. Also, it is a shame that designers don’t extend the roof far enough over the front of the stand to prevent everyone getting so wet especially all our disabled fans. There again the weather was that bad we might not have escaped it in the stand either. Leeds were definitely up for progressing in the competition and were unlucky when powerful shots from both Joseph and Piroe saw them saved by the keeper onto the woodwork and hit the crossbar respectively. Meslier made a save and had to thank Byram and Rodon for their efforts to keep the ball out of our net to keep the scores level at half time. Leeds continued to attack at the start of the second half with their keeper making a save from Piroe and Joseph’s shot was deflected past the post. Leeds took a well-deserved lead after Byram battled to get the ball back. Passing the ball to Joseph, Kamara and then Gnonto, saw the latter send a shot into the net to send the Leeds fans wild. Farke made earlier subs this time as we looked to get a win within the 90 minutes but suddenly Plymouth got back into the game again. After winning a few free kicks they sent another into the penalty area to equalise with 10 minutes to go which was a blow. It was guaranteed to end up with 30 minutes of extra time due to the weather conditions so realistically it wasn’t a surprise. That said, either side could have won it in the final minutes with Gelhardt’s shot coming back off the post and Meslier making a good save as the whistle blew for full time. We were already soaking wet as the team came out fighting with both Rutter and Rodon seeing their keeper be in top form to keep us out. I was hoping that our fitness levels would end up helping us to win the game and when Summerville scored a great goal to put us in the lead it felt like we could go on to win it. We wanted another goal to ensure that Plymouth couldn’t get back into it and had to wait until the last 15 minutes of extra time to get one. Summerville made a great run down the wing and passed the ball for Rutter to hit the ball into the net via the post to give the Leeds fans packed behind the goal something more to celebrate. Gruev was credited with the final ball after his cross was deflected into the goal to give us a 4-1 win on the day. At least we didn’t have to endure penalties on top as the weather was still atrocious. A good win for us and we will be back again next week for the 12.30 kick off and a 3am start from Leeds but prior to that we have Rotherham at Elland Road and Swansea away to deal with. See you there – LUFC, Marching on Together! please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
