Leeds United v Shrewsbury 9th August 2023 at Elland Road. Carabao Cup Round One please log in to view this image Well, our best laid plans to set off for Leeds early took an immediate turn for the worst when my granddaughter’s train was cancelled. After getting a bus instead, we picked her up in Halifax and luckily had parked up just before 7pm so as it was late, we headed straight into the ground. After meeting Lucas the Kop Cat, we headed up to our seats well before kick-off. Normally I wait to take photos at the front of the Kop but after nearly passing out last Sunday, I thought it better to sit down for a bit before the game started. When the draw was made, I would have liked to have played Shrewsbury at their ground as I haven’t been to their new one. Team: Karl Darlow (making his first team debut), Ayling (captain), Hjelde, Ampadu, Shackleton, Poveda, James, Gyabi, Gray, Cresswell, Gelhardt. Subs: Byram for Gyabi (45), Struijk for Hjelde (45), Sinisterra for Poveda (took a knock and replaced straight away 83), Drameh for James (92), Bate for Gelhardt (95). Subs not used: Meslier, Klaesson, Perkins, Moore. Leeds won the game 2 -1 with Gelhardt (52) and Struijk (58) scoring. Attendance: 35,129, 1,225 Shrewsbury fans. Referee: Seb Stockbridge. Bookings: none for Leeds. It turned out to be a tale of two halves tonight as the first half saw Shrewsbury looking composed and in control of the game, whereas Leeds struggled to make an impact. We were trying to play out from the back but were nearly caught in possession many times. Quite a lot of passes were going astray and putting us under pressure and then Shrewsbury took the lead with a deflected goal to put us even more on the backfoot. As we got closer to half time, it felt like we were trying out tactics but were not good enough to win the game. As one fan said to me at half time, he wasn’t going to bother reading my blog tonight! I knew there would be changes at half time and it was Byram and Struijk who came on. The side felt more balanced than it had in the first half, and we also started to play better. It didn’t take long for an equaliser to come after Poveda’s shot was saved by their keeper but into the path of Gelhardt who duly scored. Leeds’s second goal came not long after where we scored another from a corner where Struijk at the far post hit the ball into the net. We were in control for most of the game as we continued to press forward, and it was only near the end of the game when Shrewsbury looked dangerous again. As I shouted out, I didn’t want extra time and to keep them out, I think that was a unanimous decision from those around us. Playing over eight minutes of injury time is over the top though and hopefully there will be changes to adding too many minutes onto games soon. Knowing the powers that be, I doubt they will look at a sensible approach to injury time. Through to the second round, we have now been drawn away at Salford City in the second round. With my daughter Danielle still recovering from her wound abscess, we had some better news about my husband Phillip’s terminal cancer diagnosis. The main tumour has shrunk a bit more and the lymph nodes are stable. They are really pleased with his progress, and he will continue with further immunotherapy treatment tomorrow. He also managed a trip to Elland Road tonight too so at least managed to see us win. See you at Birmingham, 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
Better news regarding your hubby Heidi Two games, consecutive goals from set pieces and a coach who can tweak it at half time and make a difference. We just need to get the first 45 minutes right and I know that will come with a few signings
Really good Heidi about you husbands health. Keep fighting Sad to see Willy appparently heading for the door. Presume a couple more of last seasons big time Charlie’s will follow when fit. A sad bunch and a reflection of everything that’s wrong with football. Ruined by the money and agents
Sadly it depends on release clauses being activated as well but I fully expect more to go by the end of August. With no money coming in or very little due to those, those who we can get a fee for will be sold.
