Leeds United 2, Chesterfield 1

Leeds United 2 (Brown 28, Poleon 31)
Chesterfield 1 (Doyle 17)

And so after the big event that was Saturday it was back to reality with a mid-week League Cup game against League Two Chesterfield. These early round, mid-week games have been rather flat affairs in recent years but thanks to reasonable ticket prices, the improved atmosphere around and nearly 2,000 away fans a decent crowd of 17,466 turned up to watch Leeds progress to the second round of the League Cup.

Brian McDermott made several changes to his starting eleven from Saturday with Matt Smith and Dom Poleon starting up front. Adam Drury and Zac Thompson came in as full backs with the central defensive partnership of Lees and Pearce unchanged. The only constant in midfield was Paul Green who was joined by Aidy White, David Norris and Paul Green.

Leeds started well, continuing where they left off on Saturday playing a nice passing game, keeping the ball on the floor and dominating possession. Dom Poleon, who had looked lively when he came on on Saturday, had two early chances but saw one go wide and another blocked. Just like Saturday Leeds did not make the early possession pay.

On 17 minutes failure to close down saw Chesterfield full back Drew Talbot in space on the right hand side. He whipped a good cross into the box where the unmarked Eoin Doyle headed the ball into the back of the Leeds goal. There had obviously been a lot of changes made to the squad from Saturday but the disappointing thing is that Lees and Pearce were the constant in defence and yet again poor marking meant we conceded against the run of play.

After the goal Chesterfield came into the game more and to be fair played some nice football, their lead however, only lasted for 11 minutes. White knocked the ball in field to Michael Brown, who having earlier squandered an opportunity by trying to be skilful, was encouraged to shoot by the Kop. He took one touch to bring the ball inside then unleashed a right-foot screamer into the top corner of the net to level the scores on 28 minutes.

With momentum on United’s side Aidy white broke down a move in midfield, the ball fell to Poleon who calmly nutmegged the defender and ran towards goal. With one man to beat and the option to square to Smith he decided to have a go himself, his shot took a deflection of the inside of the defenders leg and nestled into the bottom corner of the net. Two, one on 31 minutes.

Just before half time a through ball saw Chesterfield midfielder Tendayi Darikwa get past Thompson and free of Pearce, he rounded Kenny and shot only to see Pearce scramble back and clear the ball from the line. Pearce did well to get back but in reality he should have stopped the run in the first place. Leeds headed into the half time break with their lead intact.

The game descended into a rather scrappy affair in the second half, challenges were flying in all over the pitch and the result was Chesterfield had two free kicks in decent attaching positions. The first was blocked by Michael Brown while Kenny saved another.

Seeing the game slipping from out control McDermott made two changed bringing on McCormack and Murphy for Norris and White. White had been playing in an unusual position for him at the head of the midfield diamond. Whilst he showed some good moments and played a part in both goals his final ball let him down all too often. It was Whites 100th appearance in a Leeds shirt and many fans will question if there is a role for him at the club in future.

McCormack and Murphy both made an impact on the game. McCormack, who looked lively again in the free role behind the front two, crossed for Smith who headed over the bar. Smith didn’t impress much, he should really be taking his chances against League Two opposition but his ball control was poor and for a tall lad his heading ability wasn’t great. His physique certainly means he will make an impact in some games but I can’t see him in the regular starting 11.

The remaining 20 minutes were nervy, with the game having descended from a spectacle to a bit of a debacle. Both sides had chances, Murphy and Poleon saw efforts saved while Kenny made a couple of decent saves to keep United in front.

A decent enough game for the first round of the League Cup and Chesterfield certainly played their part. There were definite areas for improvement as far as Leeds were concerned though. The central defensive partnership of Lees and Pearce looks fragile and we could certainly do with more experience and quality in that department. The midfield diamond means most of our width has to come from the full backs and I’m not sure we have the quality in these areas for this to work, especially away from home.

Paul Green worked hard again in midfield though he was not quite as effective as Saturday and he ended up loosing the ball in dangerous areas of the pitch. Michael Brown had been quiet until his goal but came into the game much more after and was probably the pick of the players. McCormack and Murphy when introduced added quality and will have sealed their places in the starting line-up.

Poleon is a raw talent, quick, skilful, possibly a little greedy but he will score goals. He is not the finished article yet and I doubt either of the strikers today will be in the starting line-up come the weekend. I’m not convinced after last night or Saturday that we have that 20 goal a season striker that we have missed since Becchio left.

Still a win is a win and we are through to the next round. Leeds will face League One Doncaster at the Keepmoat Stadium in the second round, game to be played during the week commencing 26th August.

Leeds Line-up:
Kenny, Drury, Lees, Pearce, Thompson, Green, White (McCormack 60), Brown, Norris (Murphy 60), Smith, Poleon
Unused Subs: Ashdown, Hunt, Varney, Hall, Mowatt

Brighton Line-up:
Lee, Smith, Hird, Morsy, Darikwa (O'Shea 64), Roberts, Ryan, Humphreys (Richards 77), Doyle (Gnanduillet 67), Talbot, Edwards
Unused Subs: Chapman, Cooper, Togwell, Brown

Attendance: 17,466

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