Ipswich 1 - 0 Leeds United - Match Report

By Rich Baggott
November 14 2004

Leeds United have been in the papers for all the wrong reasons again this week but at last they could return to the playing field to try to build on the success they enjoyed against Preston last weekend.

Despite the goings on off the field, the fans had high hopes for the trip to Ipswich following on from the brilliant display against Preston.  Blackwell stuck with the same 11 players and the same formation.

Early Goal

Leeds picked up where they left off with Preston and had the ball in the back of the net.  Deane flicked a Header to Healy who netted but the linesman judge Deane to be offside when he played the ball.  Undeterred, Leeds continued to build well but Ipswich defence had their offside trap working well against Deane - each attack breaking down after the big man strayed to far forward.

John Oster, playing down the left side to great effect again came close on 16 minutes.  Healy threaded a ball to the oncoming Oster who drove a fierce shot that was well saved.  It was one of three good chances he carved out for himself with two more shots well blocked.  Leeds were not cruising but looked equal to the task against an inform and high flying Ipswich side.

It took Ipswich until the final third of the half to get a chance on the Leeds goal but a downwards header by Marcus Bent was well dealt with by Sullivan who made it look easier than it was.  As the sides went in at half-time, Leeds looked comfortable and composed.

Second Half

Just five minutes into the second half and a mistake led to Ipswich taking the lead.  Carlisle and Kelly clashed into each other on the edge of the area and the ball ran free to Kuqi.  He shot fiercely across the goal and Sullivan could only parry.  The ball dipped and landed at the feet of Bent.  He shot but Sullivan had recovered well and got enough on it to slow the pace.  The ball bobbled towards the goal-line and Sullivan and Bent both went for it.  Despite Sullivans protests that he had the ball under control, bent forced it over the lone and Ipswich took the lead.

Leeds were quieter than the first half but still carved out some opportunities.  Healy went close within ten minutes of the goal, his volley from a Pugh cross just going beyond the upright but it was Ipswich that started to push now.  Kelly turned over his own bar from a low cross that was either an amazing piece of skill and judgment or a little bit of good fortune and Kuqi and Bent could both have scored.

Final Chance

With just 15 minutes remaining, Joachim was brought on and his pace and determination brought the Leeds team to life.  A goalmouth scramble nearly saw Oster connect  but the ball just escaped him and bobbled through to the keeper but with jst a few minutes left on the clock, the ball fell to Deane just 6 yards out - he turned well but his shot went straight to a grateful Davis in the Ipswich net.

The result moved Ipswich to joint 1st and Leeds to a dire 19th although their performance was not that of a bottom end of the table team.  Oster was key again and Leeds fans must be hoping a move can become permanent.  Healy again looked lively and the team in general, put in an okay performance away from home agaisnt a side brimming with confidence.  Had Leeds started the day in the top half of the table, the result would have been acceptable an 'unlucky' however their slump to such a low position in the league, due to previous poor performances makes this result seem all the more dire!