For the first time, I was travelling down with an official supporters coach and so had my first ever Carlsberg breakfast, which went down as easily as it sounds. The back of the Vine branch coach was in full voice with rousing editions of "Posh Spice is a slapper, she's got a hairy c**t and when she's shagging Beckham, she thinks of Noel Hunt" and other charming songs, some Leeds related, some not. Ella (@elspencexx) and Jack (@TheJackyCalv) were sharing the experience with me and, after nearly missing the coach, filled me in on the previous night which they'd spent on Tuica, a Romanian spirit with an alcohol volume of over 60%. Even with a Tuica-induced hangover, Calv was on form, passing the time with his own "Calvy Quiz", containing obscure questions about the Premier League. Two and a half hours of pointless trivia and Leeds United discussion, usually surrounding our worst ever players (Steve Stone, remember him?) passed quickly and we were soon in Stowmarket for a pub stop.
The Wetherspoons in Stowmarket is one of the poshest Wetherspoons we'd ever been in and we sat outside under the garden terrace. Calv and Ella had literally emptied their wallet paying for the coach fare and so I was on pints and lunch duty. Two all day brunches went down far easier than the Carlsberg breakfast I'd just had.
Stowmarket is only half an hour away from Ipswich and we left at 1.30, preceding a ridiculous stop at the nearby services whilst waiting for the police to get their act in gear. Only Dirty Leeds need a police convoy to go somewhere as meaningless as Ipswich and although the police seemingly flirted with the idea of making us miss kick off, we didn't. I met Francesca (@francescalufc) at our seats, noting a considerably better view than last year.
McDermott had opted for the same starting eleven that took the field at Leicester City, meaning Dom Poleon was benched in favour of Noel Hunt. His opposite number, Mick McCarthy, again fielded an un-changed side, selecting the same eleven that had taken three points from a tough opening period involving games against Reading, Millwall and Queens Park Rangers.As expected, Ipswich started the stronger and it was one of many questionable offside decisions that
prevented them from taking the lead inside five minutes. Aaron Cresswell, outstanding throughout, bombed down the left wing before whipping in a fantastic ball across the six yard box. McGoldrick at the back post prodded it back towards goal and Tabb applied the finish but was adjudged to have been offside. Still 0-0; first let off for Leeds. The stalemate didn't last long. Some dire Leeds defending allowed the outstanding McGoldrick to bring down an aerial ball before driving towards goal and unleashing an unstoppable strike into the bottom corner of Kenny's goal. 1-0.
Leeds responded with Pearce firing miles over from a corner and Varney coming inches away from connecting with a cross, but it seemed pathetic compared to the chances created by the hosts who were simply unplayable for half an hour. Cresswell, again proving a nuisance from left back, tried his luck from distance but was unfortunate to see his curler hit the crossbar before falling to Tabb. The midfielder did well to make himself some space but drilled his effort into the side netting. Boss Mick McCarthy lamented his sides lack of killer instinct after the game and it was this that saw Leeds draw level as Ipswich were made to pay for not enhancing their lead mid-way through the first half. After being laid off by Austin, McCormack tried his luck from distance but his effort was blocked by an Ipswich defender. It fell fortunately at the feet of Varney who took one touch before smashing the ball past Loach into the roof of the net. 1-1. Leeds now had a foothold in the game, an undeserved one given the balance of play.
The home side then had two excellent chances to regain the lead. First, McGoldrick almost capitalised on more poor Leeds defending but was denied well by Paddy Kenny and then confusion between Kenny and Pearce at the back offered Daryl Murphy an excellent opportunity but Lee Peltier cleared well. Somehow, Leeds were level at the break.
Minutes into the second half they were ahead through more good fortune. McCormack did well cutting in from the left, and his long distance effort was deflected off the foot of Skuse and underneath the body of the sprawling Loach. Just under two thousand visiting supporters couldn't care less that it was a statistical travesty; a Leeds United away win occurred just four times last season. McCarthy responded by throwing on Tunnicliffe, Nouble and Anderson for Murphy, Edwards and Tabb but despite the expected pressure, the home side couldn't carve out any real clear cut opportunities. Hyam headed a half-chance wide before Leeds created an excellent chance for themselves. Some good work by substitute Poleon resulted in a chance for Hunt but the striker was denied his first goal for his new club by a good save from Loach. Green struck a sweet half volley into the side netting and down the other end, Hyam did the same in identical fashion.Normally, if Leeds take the lead mid-way through the second half, they have to cling on for the rest of the game. Ipswich applied considerable pressure through an aerial bombardment of corners and crosses, but on the ball Leeds closed the game down excellently. Instead of the usual "hoof and deal with the next attack" they tried to play in the final third and could have created more chances with a little more quality in the final third. They did have one final scare though as the game edged towards its close, but Noel Hunt did well to clear a goal-bound header off the line. Full time; the unbeaten run lives on.
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