Report: Town 1-0 Leeds
By Aston
November 14 2004
A single goal from Darren Bent early in the second half was enough to see Ipswich Town beat Leeds United 1-0 and move Town joint top of the championship.
Report: Town 1-0 Leeds
A single goal from Darren Bent early in the second half was enough to see Ipswich Town beat Leeds United 1-0 and move Town joint top of the championship.
Leeds had much the better of the first half finding the back of the net after just 53 seconds, David Healy having his effort ruled out for off side.
John Oster also came close to opening the scoring in the 17th minute, Kelvin Davis parrying the ball out for a Leeds throw.
Oster again nearly created a goal, his shot was blocked by Tommy Miller and went out for a corner which Sean Gregan could only head at Davis from Danny Pugh’s kick.
It took more than 30 minutes for Town to have a meaningful effort on goal Shefki Kuqi and Jason De Vos had efforts earlier but did not trouble Neil Sullivan in the Leeds goal, Kevin Horlock’s free kick after Clarke Carlisle had handled was met by the head of Darren Bent but Sullivan was up to the task.
Horlock was again at the heart of the Ipswich attack but still was unable to find a way past Sullivan with his 25 yards free kick after Clarke Carlisle had fouled Tommy Miller just before half time.
Miller was replaced by Dean Bowditch two minutes into the second half, Miller going off with damage to his elbow.
Town finally broke the deadlock in the 51st minute Shefki Kuqi’s shot was parried by Sullivan into the path of Darren Bent who forced the ball over the line after his first effort was blocked by Sullivan who had been in inspired form all afternoon.
Darren Bent and Dean Bowditch both went close to extending Towns lead over Leeds while at the other end Leeds striker David Healy came close to bringing Leeds level with an off target volley.
Shefki Kuqi really should of made it 2-0 to Town but some how managed to head the ball wide from six yards out with the goal almost empty.
Brian Deane came close to making 1-1 in the final few minutes only Kelvin Davis denying him on the line, Leeds were unlucky towards the end as they bombarded the Town goal but couldn’t find a way though the defence who had been sound for most of the afternoon, a fine display from Richard Naylor being one of the reasons for that.
Town remain second in the league behind Wigan on goal difference and are unbeaten in 11 games and have scored in 31 consecutive league games.
Ipswich Town Squad: Darren Bent, Dean Bowditch, Aidan Collins, Pablo Couñago, Kelvin Davis, Jason De Vos, Drissa Diallo, Kevin Horlock, Shefki Kuqi, Jim Magilton, Tommy Miller, Richard Naylor, Lewis Price, Matt Richards, Ian Westlake, Fabian Wilnis.
Leeds: Sullivan, Kelly, Carlisle, Butler, Pugh, Wright, Gregan, Walton, Healy, Oster, Deane, Carson, Richardson, Lennon, Kilgallon, Joachim.
| Ipswich Town 1 | Leeds United 0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow cards | Horlock | Carlisle Walton Wright |
| Red Cards | None | None | Goals | Bent 51 | None |
| Substitutions | Bowditch on for Miller (48) | Joachim on for Wright (73) |
| Possession | 56% | 44% |
| Shots | 15 | 7 |
| Corners | 9 | 5 |
| Fouls | 12 | 19 |
| Attendance: 29,955 |
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