Peterborough v Leeds United 7th January 2024 at The Weston Homes Stadium – FAC3 please log in to view this image Having spent the weekend in York for my daughter’s hen do, I ensured I left with enough time to get to the ground for the coach. I needn’t have worried as everything went like clockwork. Someone asked me if we’d had a good journey there, well it was definitely one of the better ones as I slept all the way there and back only waking up at our pub stop in Oakham. As we headed to Peterborough for the third round of the FA Cup, I made no secret of my favourite game at Wembley in 1972 where Leeds United won the FA Cup for the only time in our history. Walking down Wembley Way, joining in the community singing with Tommy Steele who came out wearing white for Leeds. The whole stadium singing Abide with Me and The National Anthem was spine tingling. My hero Billy Bremner lifting the cup from Her Majesty the Queen meant these memories are awe inspiring moments that have stayed with me forever. I want to experience those feelings again in my lifetime but only time will tell what happens in that perspective. I also want those who have never had that privilege that I had to be there, to experience the same too. Once we were drawn against Peterborough, it took me back to 1974 when my friend Sue and I appeared in the Yorkshire Evening Post after our photo was taken at the Calls whilst waiting for a Wallace Arnold coach to go to the game. As we had our photo taken together at the game today, it was a shock to both of us to realise that this game was 50 years ago, wow! Where has the time gone but, we are still loyal Leeds fans to this day along with thousands of other Leeds United fans. Once a Leeds fan, always a Leeds fan as the title of my second book says! I hadn’t realised that the ground only had a small capacity, but it was good to see that Leeds had the whole end behind the goal and half the side to the right of us. We had a strong side out, and it was good to see that Archie Gray was in midfield today with Shackleton at right back. With the different formation, it looked to give Ampadu a free role as he scored two goals for us with a cracker from Bamford to send us into the next round. When Luke Ayling came on as sub, if the rumours are correct, this will be his last game for us. If so, thank you for everything Luke and you will always be remembered for that Huddersfield goal and being part of our promotion squad under Bielsa. Good luck but obviously not if you end up playing against us. Team: Klaesson, Ampadu (captain), Rodon, Gray, Firpo, Bamford, Gnonto, Shackleton, Piroe, Anthony, Gruev. Subs: Ayling for Shackleton (78), James for Gnonto (85), Poveda for Bamford (86), Kamara for Anthony (86), Joseph for Piroe (90). Subs not used: Van den Heuvel, Cooper, Rutter, Summerville. Leeds won 3-0 with a brace from Ampadu 35, 90 and Bamford (47). Attendance: 12,927 with 3,955 Leeds fans. Referee: Sam Allison. Booked, Gnonto, Ampadu. Gray picked up their keeper’s clearance early in the game, but his first-time shot was easily saved. Peterborough had another let off shortly afterwards when Gnonto’s cross reached Bamford in the box. His header was saved instinctively by their keeper as the rebound went to one of his teammates and they were able to clear the danger. They themselves had a chance but their header was going wide and Klaesson and Ampadu combined to stop the Peterborough player getting near the ball which went out for a goal kick. A one two between Gray and Piroe saw Gray’s shot hit straight at the keeper, but it was a good move. Leeds then took a deserved lead from a free kick taken by Anthony after Gnonto was brought down. Bamford received the ball on his chest and the rebound saw Ampadu hit it into the net for his first goal for the club. Despite claims that the goal should have been disallowed, I have seen nothing from replays that indicated a handball. When Gnonto was brought down in the penalty area it was play on despite him having gone past their man first. As the second half was kicking off, I decided I’d have to try and get back to my seat however much I didn’t want to. I was just going past one of our members, but he turned the wrong way round, as Bamford received the ball after a fantastic cross from deep on the left-hand side from Ampadu. He received the ball on his chest, spun to the left and with the ball still in the air, sent a fantastic first time shot into the net to put us two up. Two goals in two games for Bamford and what a cracker this one was. It even raised a smile from Farke. Anthony had a good shot from the edge of the penalty area saved by their keeper before Peterborough had their best chance of the game as they hit a long range shot that narrowly missed the far post. They had a couple more chances, but the Leeds defence stood firm with Klaesson saving the ball. James sent a great corner into the middle for Ampadu to head the ball into the net for his second goal of the game to put the result beyond Peterborough. We also had shouts for a penalty for handball turned down which looked blatant from behind the goal where we were. In the end we were comfortable winners as we go into the draw for the next round which takes place tomorrow. In the meantime, we have another early start next week as we head to Cardiff when we are back in league action. 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 please log in to view this image
Heidi I remember the days of Wallies trollies well it brings back memories and having lived not far from you in Selby. ……….. we had a pretty good time back in the day. Your blog is always a good read
I would say that is the case too. He'll want to carry on playing football and even though I'd rather we had squad depth, it doesn't look as if he will be kept. Time will tell.
