Leeds United v Harrogate Town

Saturday 11th January 2025 - Elland Road, Leeds

2024/25 FA Cup 3rd Round

Although we had an unusual kick off time of 5.45.pm, I was glad of the later set off from home. After -4+ temperatures overnight and still lots of snow by us, it gave the conditions a chance to improve before leaving for the ground. We had to allow for the roadworks at Elland Road but still got there in good time. We met up at the Peacock and I was surprised that it was a lot milder than I’d expected, before heading into the ground. It was good to chat with some of our fans today.

I’m one of the lucky ones to have been at Wembley in 1972 to see Leeds United win the FA Cup for the only time in our history. It breaks my heart to see how devalued the cup has become but for me my favourite ever game was seeing Billy lift the FA Cup from her Majesty the Queen. The day had been perfect apart from Mick Jones getting injured, having the community singing led by Tommy Steele wearing white in support of Leeds. Abide with me and the National Anthem sung by the whole stadium were spine tingling and as fresh in my memories today as they were back then.

Team:  Darlow, Struijk, Ampadu, Ramazani, Solomon, Gnonto, Joseph, Rothwell, Byram, Schmidt, Guilavogui.

Subs: Rodon for Struijk (65), Tanaka for Rothwell (65), Firpo for Byram (77), James for Solomon (78), Gruev for Gnonto (90).

Subs not used:  Meslier, Wöber, Bogle, Aaronson.

Leeds won the gamer 1-0 with a goal from Ramazani (59).

Attendance:  35,584, 3,951 Harrogate fans.

Referee:  James Bell.

Booked:  Guilavogui, Ramazani.

It was nice to be playing another Yorkshire team although we had already played them in a pre-season game at Harrogate. My best memories were travelling with Murgatroyd’s coaches from Harrogate to Anderlecht in 1975. The first half saw both sides cancel each other out even though Leeds had a lot of possession but didn’t create many opportunities on goal as their keeper made easy saves. We were lucky when Guilavogui tangled with their man in the penalty area, but the referee said play on and didn’t give a penalty. Joseph did unleash a great shot that cannoned back off the post, but the score remained level as we went in at the break.

The second half saw Leeds come out with a bit more purpose, but Harrogate weren’t going to be a pushover as they put Leeds under pressure early on. We gave the ball away on the edge of the box and Darlow saved the ball getting hold of it at the second attempt. Leeds came close to taking the lead when Solomon’s shot clipped the top of the cross bar. Leeds got the ball into the net twice but after the whistle had blown which was typical but then did take the lead with half an hour left to play. Some good footwork from Solomon to the right of us saw him cross a perfect ball into the far post where Ramazani unmarked, was on hand to head the ball into the net. The score stayed that way until the final whistle, but Harrogate didn’t give up without a fight.

As we headed back to the car, the temperature had dropped, and the paths were a lot more treacherous than they had been earlier. A young girl took a shine to my beret from The Art of Football. I really hope they are going to bring a lot more things out with patches for the 50th anniversary of Paris. Our away game at Coventry will be put on hold as we are through to the next round of the FA Cup, and we will know soon enough who our next opponents will be. Back at Elland Road next Sunday for another Yorkshire Derby and an early dinnertime kick off against Sheffield Wednesday so see you then.

LUFC – Marching on Together!