Wise:Blame Me

Leeds are an infallible winning machine in the league, but in the cup it is a very different story. Last night was the final nail in the coffin as Hereford beat them 1-0 at Elland Road, Lionel Ainsworth’s goal after three minutes enough to guide them through to the second round. But will they really care? Surely this year is all about the league for Leeds and the cup would just distract them and make them even more tired, like Wisey says. Now they can concentrate fully on promotion, or will they start to take their cup form into the league?

A bad start from Leeds saw Hereford 1-0 up after three minutes. Lionel Ainsworth's goal with 3 minutes gone, coolly slotted home from 12 yards after the home team allowed him too much time and space. Leeds were really poor for most of the 1st half. Hereford kept hitting Leeds on the counter attack which worried the defence of Leeds who occasionally lost their shape. 7 minutes later the Bulls nearly doubled their lead with Theo Robinson taking round Ankregren and having his shot cleared off the line. Moments later Trevor Benjamin then fired over the crossbar. Leeds went into the break 1-0 down and their confidence at a low.

But although Leeds – missing suspended midfielders David Prutton and Jonathan Douglas, and without the ineligible Mark De Vries and Radostin Kishishev – could claim the majority of possession, Hereford always carried the threat of further goals and their football belied their lowly status. Certainly, this was no smash-and-grab raid by the visiting team, but a hard-fought victory richly deserved.

Beckford double sinks Swindon

Swindon started the better team with two attacks in the opening minutes. Leeds then replied positively with Kandol testing the keeper. Then Swindon soon got on top again with having their first attempt on goal with Craig Easton coming close. Billy Paynter then had a chance to put Swindon 1-0 but failed to do so. Leeds then had a chance on 13 minutes with Peter Brezovan saving Kandols header. Jonny Howson was next to test the Swindon's keeper with him just tipping it over. Leeds started to get on top and Clapham had one cleared of the line. With half an hour gone Simon Cox was the next to try and break the deadlock but was off target. Leeds then broke the deadlock with a penalty given because of n handball. Jermaine Beckford took the pen and finished nicely. Leeds went into the break 1-0 up.

Leeds started the second half were they finished off. The were straight out of the blocks and came close within 60 seconds of the second half. Seconds later Lee Peacock equalized for swindon. Cox had broken free on the right hand side and played a low ball in for Peacock to finish. The home side took the advantage again on the 55th minute. Kandol picked up the ball then nicely flicked it onto Beckford who smartly finished. On the hour mark Carole gave way for Kishishev. The on loan player Simon Cox then was the 6th player of Swindon to go into the referees book. Town had the ball in the back of the net with 7 minutes remaining but the goal was scrapped after the assistant referee adjudged Corr to have handled the ball over the line. Despite towns best efforts the home side took all three points.

Leeds v Swindon Preview

Last time round
Swindon will travel to Elland road tomorrow backed by 1,700 fans. The last time Swindon traveled to Elland road it was a night to remember for Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Paul Robinson. Leeds was 2-1 down with minutes to go and Swindon at a free kick to defend. Leeds threw every player forward including Paul Robinson. Leeds took a short free kick and played the ball to Micheal Bridges, Michel then crossed it in and it was met by the head of Paul Robinson to make it 2-2. The outcome was cruel on Swindon and especially Gurney, who had scored one of the goals of the season to break the deadlock on the stroke of half-time.

Leeds team news
Leon Constantine expected to start with Beckford suffering from illness. Frazer Richardson may return after missing two games on the trot with illness. Alan Thompson may feature at some point in the game after playing in the reserves midweek.

Swindon team news
Jerel Ifil is likely to miss out tomorrows game with a shin injury meaning Chris Blackburn or Andy Nicholas will step up and replace him. Simon Cox is back in contention for a start after missing last weeks game with Wycombe Wanderers.

The home team joint top goalscorers are Tresor Kandol and Jermaine Beckford. They both have eight and may look to extend that tomorrow. Swindon also have joint top scorers with Billy Paynter and Simon Cox both on five.

Lucas Radebe's History

Lucas Valeriu Radebe born in the Diepkloof section near Johannesburg on the 12th April, 1969. When he was 15 years of age he was sent to "bantustan" of Bophuthatswana by his parents in order to keep him away from crime. During his stay in Bophuthatswana, Radebe played football (as a goalkeeper).

Lucas Radebe was snapped up by the Kaizer Cheifs as a midfielder. Radebe's talents excited many teams and alot were interested in signing him. This lead to him being shot in 1991 while walking down a street. Radebe reckoned someone had being hired to shoot him to stop him moving clubs. Following the shooting Radebe and a team mate both moved to Leeds United in 1994. Leeds payed £250,000 for Radebe. Radabe quickly established himself at Leeds and became a top player. The 1998/99 season led to the appointment of Radebe as captain. Leeds then nicknamed him "The Chief" because of his performances.

As captain of Leeds, Radebe was very successful in the in the 1998/1999 season, Leeds finished fourth in the FA Premier League qualifying for the UEFA Cup. The following year Leeds finished third in the Premier league and qualified for the Champions League were Radebe led them to the semi finals. Radebe then sustained knee and ankle injuries. These injuries kept him out of the game for nearly two years.

The 2005 season signalled the end for Lucas Radebe as he announced his retirement from football. He played in a testimonial match at Elland Road. This match had players from all around the world playing including Leeds United players of the past and present. He was then offered a role on the Leeds United coaching Staff.

Billy Bremner's History

William John Bremner born in Stirling, Scotland on the 9th December 1942 he died in Doncaster, England on the 7th December 1997. Billy Bremner was captain of the Leeds United football team of the 1960s and 1970s. He as been voted Leeds United's greatest player of all time and is also a member of both the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame and the English Football Hall of Fame.

Billy Bremner was scouted by Leeds while playing schoolboy football in Scotland. He then signed for Leeds in 1959. He had previously been rejected by Arsenal and Chelsea for being too small.

Billy Bremner attended a catholic junior school, St. Mary's. He made his debut in 1960 and was a permanent first team player under manager Don Revie. Bremner quickly established himself as an uncompromising player, tough in the tackle and often going beyond the rules to get the better of a skilled opponent. Billy Bremner was also known for scoring crucial goals including winners in four major semi finals.

In 1966, Leeds skipper Bobby Collins was injured in a Fairs Cup game against Torino and Revie gave the captaincy to Bremner. Collins never got it back. With their Bremner acting as leader he led them all the to the league cup final hen went on to winning the League Cup and Fairs Cup in 1968 and the League championship in 1969. That season Leeds lost only two of 42 league games.

At the beginning of December 1997, he suffered a heart attack at his Doncaster home in the small village of Clifton, South Yorkshire and was rushed to hospital, but died two days before his 55th birthday. Just about every major figure from Scottish football, past and present, attended his funeral and there was citywide mourning in Leeds due to the extremely high esteem in which he is held by Leeds United fans.

Leeds cup hopes BURY-D!

Controversy in the first half saw Bury go into the break 2-1 up. Leeds gave home debuts to Da Costa and Constantine. After 8 minutes Leeds led through Constantine. He latched onto a clever through ball and showed good composure in front of goal with a good finish. De Vries who's joined Leeds on loan for a second time this season was close to making it 2-0 on 14 minutes. Leeds were on top and looking for a second but Bury hit back on the 25th minute. A corner by Brian Barry-Murphy was headed in by Ben Futcher despite David Pruttons best attempts to keep it out as the ball was adjudge to cross the line. Leeds immediately went for a second with Howson firing just over. Minutes later Bury took the lead through Andy Bishop who smashed the ball home. With half time approaching Leeds were reduced to ten men. Da Costa was shown a straight red after a challenge on Paul Scott.

Wise made a change at half time bringing Jonathan Douglas on for David Prutton. Ben Parker was next to try is luck for Leeds then De Vries had a shot blocked on the 58th minute. Leeds were dominating the game but the equalizer was not coming. On the 66th minute Wise then introduced Tresor Kandol to the attack. Leeds then went 4-2-3 and pressed the defence of Bury. Bury held on and won 2-1 making them the first team to win at Elland Road in eight months.

Dave Basset commented after the match "We started well and, got the goal but unfortunately we defended two corners poorly and they managed to score". Although Basset seemed dissapointed he mentioned he was happy with how the team played when going down to ten men.

FA cup draw

The winners of the game between Leeds v Hereford will play Hartlepool. The replay takes place on the 20th November. Steve Hodge and Cyril Regis did the draw that was shown on BBC One following Torquay United's impressive 4-1 victory against League One side Yeovil.