20-07-12: Farsley AFC (a) 5-2 (HT 3-0) Crowd (2,320)

Programme & Teamsheet:

United gave chances to two trialists in the game with Farsley AFC on 20th July 2012. While one was well known to the Leeds older supporters in the shape of former Leeds player Andy Gray, the son of Frank Gray and nephew of Eddie Gray, who had followed his illustrious relatives through the Leeds Junior system and went on to represent them at Wembley as well as going on to represent his country, and the other was another former Portsmouth defender in Martin Crainie. In addition there were first games for Goalkeeper Paddy Kenny, defender Jason Pearce and midfielder Paul Green, who had joined the club since the end of the previous season. Andy Gray showed up well in the early exchanges and Ross McCormack saw his free-kick blocked and Paul Green almost got a header in from a corner. As the game wore on past the thirty minute mark Leeds were well on top and held possession for long periods. This resulted in several half-chances with Robbie Rogers and Andy Gray both getting in headers on goal and Danny Pugh shot wide. Ross McCormack sent a shot fizzing past a post but it was Andy Gray that gave Leeds the lead in the thirty-first minute. Aidan White was showing up well on the left flank and the home keeper and the home keeper, Tom Guildford, did well to parry a low shot from the winger. However Gray only needed four minutes before he doubled his tally as he climbed well at the far post to head home a cross. A minute later it was 3-0 as Robbie Rogers got up well to head home a good cross from Michael Brown. Understandably United took their foot off the peddle and cruised to half time with a commanding lead. After the half-time break Leeds completely changed their team. Alex Cairns took over from Paddy Kenny in goal, Lewis Turner replaced Tom Lees and Charlie Taylor replaced Danny Pugh in the full back roles. In Central defence Ross Killock and Monty Gimpel came on for Martin Crainie and Jason Pearce. In midfield Sam Byram, Zac Thompson, Ramon Nunez and Sanchez Payne replaced Paul Green, Robbie Rogers, Michael Brown and Aidan White, while up front Simon Lenighan and Billy Paynter replaced Andy Gray and Ross McCormack. Dominic Poleon later came on for Simon Lenighan. The fielding of nine juniors allowed Farsley back into the game in the second half and while Paddy Kenny did not have a shot to save on his debut in the first half, Alex Cairns was soon in the action and made a good save on the hour mark. There was little he could do to prevent Farsley's first goal in the sixtieth minute when Adam Muller's shot on goal was deflected beyond his reach by Sam Byram but Billy Paynter restored the three goal lead four minutes later when he headed home a good cross from Ramon Nunez. In the sixty-eighth minute Farsley scored a spectacular goal when substitute Ryan Watson scored with a powerful drive from outside the penalty box. Sanchez Payne rounded off the scoring with an equally good strike from distance as Leeds ran out convincing 5-2 winners. The Farsley substitutes were: Adam Muller, Ryan Carr, Rob Pacey, James Burgess, Tom Dugdale, Annor Ferdinand and goalkeeper Declan Flowers. Aidy Holmes of Castleford was the Referee.