please log in to view this image After feeling like I’d been hit by a bus this morning, the emotions of the last few days had taken its toll. My hip operation was postponed until 14th February and news that my husband’s terminal cancer had progressed meaning he starts further treatment next week, hit my family hard. Thank you so much to everyone who has offered advice and emotional support over the last few days as it is appreciated so much. After leaving home with snow on the ground it was a surprise to see Leeds without a flake of snow anywhere. After meeting Daz before the game, I just want to wish his son Joe good luck with his battle against Leukaemia and hope the fundraising to help him and his family as well as Haematology, Bexley Wing, goes well. Also, news that Big John one of the Kippax Whites had died was very sad to see too. RIP John and although I saw you outside the East Stand recently, I didn’t get chance to say hello. Team: Meslier, Rodrigo (Captain), Kristensen, Llorente, Adams, Gnonto, Harrison, Roca, Wöber, Firpo, Greenwood. Subs: Bamford for Rodrigo (45), Aaronson for Adams (45), Ayling for Wöber (57), Gelhardt for Gnonto (67), Sinisterra for Harrison (79). Subs not used: Robles, Struijk, Gyabi, Perkins. Leeds won the game 5-2 with a brace from Gnonto (1, 36), Rodrigo (34) and a brace for Bamford (72, 76). Attendance: 34,465 with approximately 800 Cardiff fans. Referee: Thomas Bramall. Booked: Gnonto. I was adamant we had to win today as we had a good chance of progressing in the FA Cup and that isn’t to belittle any of our opponents. Despite long queues outside the ground that took someone twenty minutes to get in with tickets not working, the game kicked off on time. It was good to see Klich on the pitch prior to the game starting and him getting the send off he deserved. Before anyone had time to draw breath, I moved to let someone pass me only for Leeds to get off to a fantastic start as Gnonto scored a cracker to put us one goal up with less than a minute on the clock. Rodrigo had sent a great ball across the box and Gnonto did the rest. That was a great time to score as it gave us the upper hand for the first time against Cardiff. Things were fairly even until just after the half hour mark when Leeds scored a second goal. A fantastic cross from Harrison, this time saw Rodrigo be the receiver who took his time to change direction to get around the keeper and put the ball into the net to give us a two goal cushion before half time. Two minutes later Leeds made it three with once again Harrison providing the pass and Gnonto getting his second goal of the game. That was a welcome surprise as well as a great relief that we shouldn’t have a cup upset on our hands. Just before the break it looked like Cardiff had pulled a goal back but suddenly VAR looked at it and it was disallowed for offside keeping us 3-0 up at half time. One thing I didn’t like was seeing red on the screen for VAR because it was the Emirates sponsoring the FA Cup. Get it back to being purple please. The second half saw both Bamford and Aaronson come on and once Ayling and Gelhardt came on Leeds were in attacking mode. Before Gnonto went off, he had a couple of chances where it looked like he may get his hat trick and was unlucky not to score again. Bamford had a shot saved by the keeper then not long after a great pass from Ayling to Bamford saw him get his first goal of the night. Happy celebrations from the whole team as well as the fans were good to see. Gelhardt was the provider for Bamford to get his second goal of the game to put Leeds five goals up. The feel good factor from scoring the goals was immense and there was no way that we were going to lose this game now. Although Cardiff did pull one back with a header, VAR got involved in injury time to give them a penalty to see the score more respectable for Cardiff. The next round will be away against the winners of the Boreham Wood and Accrington Stanley replay that was postponed yesterday due to a frozen pitch. Well done Leeds, I really enjoyed that game today and it was just what I needed. Before the next round of the FA Cup we have an important Premier League game against Brentford on Sunday at Elland Road. The important win and the way it was played today made the game very enjoyable and is something we can build on going into the game against Brentford. It was good to seen Gnonto get man of the match today and he deserved it. I’m not sure how many bookings he has now though but whatever happens, he is an important asset on the pitch for us. See you then, 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
Sounds like last year’s run of bad news has continued into 2023 for you Heidi. Thoughts with you and your family.
Wishing your husband best wishes with his new treatment. I remember reading Gary Edwards books, big John was a constant figure. They sound like he lived life to the full. All the best best for your operation next month.
Sorry to hear Heidi that tough times health wise are continuing. Hioeing Leeds are proving to be a bit of a helpful distraction
