Leeds United v Luton 27th November 2024 at Elland Road
The best laid plans to get to the ground early didn’t materialise due to an ill granddaughter and another one playing football and not getting back till later than expected. Getting stuck in traffic meant we got to Billy’s statue 30 minutes before kick-off, along with the wreath from the Halifax Whites honouring my late husband Phillip/Captain. After receiving this from Shuy in Australia at the celebration and having had the pleasure of this tribute, we decided it would be fitting to leave this near my stone. Leeds United got us both together in the first place and I’ll always be grateful for that.
Team: Meslier, Struijk, Rodon, Bogle, Byram, Aaronson, Solomon, Piroe, Rothwell, Tanaka, Gnonto.
Subs: Wöber for Byram (injured 59), James for Gnonto (69), Joseph for Piroe (69), Guilavogui for Rothwell (84), Ramazani for Aaronson (84).
Subs not used: Darlow, Debayo, Bamford, Crew.
Leeds won the game 3-0 with goals from Byram (10), Piroe (45+1), James (81).
Attendance: 35,340, 1,087 Luton fans.
Referee: Sam Allison.
Booked: Ramazani.
Leeds got off to a great start with an early goal. A one two between Tanaka and Byram saw Solomon receive the ball, pass back to Byram whose first shot bounced back but his second thought it had gone out of play so had put the camera down, oops. I thought Luton had equalised shortly afterwards when their player beat Meslier to the ball but thankfully Struijk was there on the line to kick the ball away. It was mainly one way traffic after that though with a good move from Leeds seeing Gnonto hit a low shot which their keeper saved. We got a second on the stroke of half time when from a corner, Struijk’s header was saved by the keeper, but the loose ball picked up by Piroe who slammed it into the net. That was a good time to get a second goal.
The second half carried on in the same way as Leeds looked very comfortable, but there was always the fear that Luton would pull one back and put us under pressure. More to the point, it was a fear from us fans as that has happened too many times in the past. We had a chance for a third when Bogle put Aaronson through into the penalty area, but the ball didn’t run for us as the ball went behind Piroe and Luton were able to clear it away. Leeds then put the game to bed as we got a third after Bogle sent the ball down the wing for James to run on to. His speed took him past their player and James then lobbed the ball over the keeper with a great finish. That win took us back into first place in the table again on the anniversary of the death of Gary Speed where fans remembered him on the 11th minute by chanting his name.
It felt a very easy win in reality although I never take anything for granted but it’s another three welcome points. After a trip back to Billy’s statue for photos with the Halifax Whites wreath, with my family, I felt it was the right place to be. See you at Blackburn on Saturday, LUFC – Marching on Together!
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