Heidi's blog Leicester v Leeds 3/11/23
I’m pleased to say that despite my gall bladder removal the day before, that I managed to get to the game at Leicester to see a fantastic win by the team. As someone said earlier this week, did anyone believe we could get anything from the game? I always say that you have to believe you can get something otherwise you might as well not turn up. A win shows that it can be done as many people had already written us off for this game.
Team: Meslier, Struijk, Rodon, Byram, Gray, Ampadu, Summerville, Rutter, Piroe, James, Kamara.
Subs: Bamford for Rutter (84), Gruev for Piroe (84), Gnonto for Summerville (90), Ayling for Gray (90+4), Anthony for James (90+4).
Subs not used: Darlow, Poveda, Cooper, Firpo.
Leeds won the game 1-0 with Rutter scoring the goal for us (58).
Attendance: 32,011, 3,286 Leeds fans.
Referee: Dean Whitestone.
Booked: Byram.
A two-minute silence for Armistice Day where we were given a sheet of paper to hold up as the Bugler played the Last Post, was very emotional. Our game at home to Plymouth next Saturday will see Leeds have their own tribute to the fallen before we go into the International Break. One thing is for sure, it will be feet up for me until then.
Leeds came out of the starting blocks very quickly and were going to give the league leaders a run for their money. It was difficult to see the opening seven minutes that Leeds were on the attack at the far end due to a disabled fan and another not being able to get in their seats. I know the ones in their seats said that they couldn’t get in their own seats for the same reason, but for our disabled fans, they should have made allowances straight away. Byram was booked for what looked a soft challenge on the Leicester player who stayed down on the floor. In the end, even the referee lost patience with him and dragged him up off the floor. When it looked like we had pulled one of their players back on the far side just after this, it looked like a booking for us, but the referee played on. I felt it was because he knew the one before had been play acting. As it was the first one who got booed afterwards, rattled the crossbar with their nearest chance. When Summerville was brought down from behind in the penalty area, we were convinced we would be awarded a penalty this time but no once again, this was denied. I didn’t realise until I heard cheers from the Leicester fans that he had gone over and booked Farke for protesting. It was good to go in still on levels terms at half time.
Leeds came out fighting again as Piroe then Rutter brought a save out of their keeper. Leeds won a corner which James came over to our side to take. As he sent the ball into the box, Byram saw his header saved by their keeper before Rutter hit the rebound into the net to send us into the lead. As everyone was celebrating, someone decided to go a step too far and launch himself across my knees as the team came into the corner in front of us to celebrate. To say I’d changed my seat to the front row with a barrier in front of me to keep myself safe, I tried to get him off me without success. I don’t think he’d a clue about his actions to be honest. I have no problem with fans wanting to celebrate us scoring but as the same happened at the opposite side with our disabled fans there resulting in once being taken out by first aid, it would be nice that they considered their fellow fans.
James had a shot saved and then in the last minutes of the game, Leicester began to look dangerous. Meslier made a last-minute fingertip save to keep them out as Leeds held out for six minutes of injury time to win the game. What a fantastic result for us and another welcome three points. See you next week, LUFC – Marching on Together!