Leeds United v Coventry City 16th December 2023 at Elland Road please log in to view this image Before I start my blog today, I just want to pay my respects to Ray Fell, Leeds United Supporters Club Vice President who died today. As a Supporters Club member, I have known Ray for a long time. Thoughts with his family and friends today. One thing I wish I’d done was write down everything that happened to members of my family once my husband (Captain), was diagnosed with cancer five years ago. Never a week has gone by without something happening and this week, it was my turn again. First, slipping in the garden, landing on my bum but feeling pain in my right leg where my hip replacement is. Secondly getting my eyes tested only to find out I’ve a small bleed in my good eye. I’m glad my gallbladder is now out, as it was inflamed and had multiple yellow stones. The memory from two years ago when we were told my husband was terminally ill with cancer and had 12 months to live. We never dreamt he’d still be here but has milestones, to be here to walk his daughter down the aisle and meet our new grandchild. I suppose it’s no wonder I’ve had a few tears this week, also remembering my mum too. Last night I went to the Commercial at Churwell to listen to Paul Wilson, Robert Hiscoe and young Bailey sing, which was the best way to lift me out of the doldrums. Team: Meslier, Struijk, Rodon, Rutter, Summerville, Spence, James, Ampadu, Kamara, Gray, Piroe. Subs: Gnonto for Spence (78), Bamford for Kamara (78), Gelhardt for Piroe (85). Subs not used: Darlow, Anthony, Ayling, Cooper, Gruev, Joseph. Leeds drew the game 1-1 with Summerville (58) scoring our goal. Attendance: 36,700, with approx. 2,900 Coventry fans. Referee: Geoff Eltringham. Booked: Summerville, Meslier, Ampadu. Having gone back to my own seat for today’s game, I had to go sit down at the front of the Kop for the second half as I didn’t feel well. At least the second half got me to stop feeling sorry for myself. One thing I will say about the referee’s performance today is that he was very poor. You cannot keep letting so many fouls from behind go without booking anyone. It’s no wonder Summerville complained but did he get any sympathy? Of course not, he got a booking! The first half didn’t see any goals although Piroe had a shot saved by their keeper before Meslier was called into action, pushing the ball out which was picked up by Spence and taken down the wing. A good piece of play between Summerville and Rutter saw the latter hit the ball wide from a good position. There was very little to get excited about in the first half as we went in level at the break. It didn’t take long for the game to get livelier as Leeds came out attacking. This time Rutter provided a perfect pass for Summerville to run onto into the penalty area and hit the ball past the keeper into the net in front of the Kop. There was relief all around Elland Road as the fans celebrated. Leeds continued to attack when James was very unlucky not to score but the keeper once again saved the shot. Not long afterwards Coventry got an equaliser but there didn’t look much danger as their player crossed from the right into the penalty area. Their player got in between Gray and Struijk to head the ball home past Meslier. They had a man coming in behind them with no one marking him so whether it distracted them or not I’m not sure. That was a blow to the Leeds support who went very quiet for a while. Eventually Leeds started fighting back and Rutter had a great run which saw him hit a hard shot that the keeper saved well. Piroe got the ball straight back into the middle where Rutter had another shot saved by the keeper and the rebound cleared. Rutter then hit the side netting as he turned and shot, before Leeds attacking again, saw Gnonto, Summerville and Rutter involved as Leeds won a corner. With Leeds on the attack, it was a surprise when Farke used this time to bring our first substitutes on. By the time these had been made, it had taken the sting out of the game. I could have understood slowing the game down more at this point if we had been in opposition, but it seemed so counter productive to do it at that particular moment. Things were hotting up on the pitch which I feel was more to do with fouls not being given by the referee. As the whistle blew, once again things kicked off which looked to have involved Summerville. I’ve no idea what had happened, but Gnonto jumped in to get him away and down the tunnel. It was disappointing not to get a win at home before our key game against Ipswich next week, but the positive thing is we didn’t get beaten. There was always a danger that Coventry would break away and get a winner so one point is better than none. I needed a reminder that we face an early kick off next week so 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 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
