Leeds United v QPR

Saturday 9th November 2024 - Elland Road, Leeds

2024/25 Season

After parking up, my daughter Danielle went to the Peacock whilst my granddaughter Alexis and I walked to the Holbeck Club. It takes me back in time going there, as it reminds me of our earlier days of going into the Fullerton Park Supporters Club before games. I’m glad there’s no Mr Pigeon on the doors here though as he accused us of being hooligans because we wore our scarves around our wrists.

An impeccable silence was held before the game whilst the last post was being played in remembrance of those who gave their lives for us. As soon as it started, Alexis broke down in tears which started the tears falling for me. We stood there at the front of the stand hugging as our own recent loss of my husband and her Opa hit home. There was also an applause in the 12th minute for young Jack Johnson who had been a recent mascot who died of cancer. RIP.

Team: Meslier, Struijk, Byram, Rodon, Bogle, Joseph, Rothwell, Aaronson, Tanaka, Solomon, Gnonto

Subs: Piroe for Joseph (72), James for Solomon (72), Guilavogui for Rothwell (84), Schmidt for Gnonto (90)

Subs not used: Darlow, Bamford, Crew, Chambers, Wöber

Leeds won the game 2-0 with Bogle (19) and Piroe (90+5) scoring the goals

Attendance: 36,011 with approximately 1,500 QPR fans

Referee: Matthew Donohue

Booked: Byram

Early in the game QPR started strongly and it felt like it was going to be a difficult game. The referee was pulling us up left, right and centre and gave Byram an early booking although it was for a very tame challenge. QPR were dropping like flies which didn’t help. Suddenly we took the game to them and got on top with Aaronson hitting a great shot from outside the box that clipped the crossbar and came back into play, when I was expecting the ball to hit the back of the net. When we did get the first goal, it was like playing ping pong as we had a great build up with Bogle running up the centre of the pitch before passing to Rothwell on the wing. He took the ball into the penalty area, passed it into the middle where first Solomon hit it into the air, then Gnonto got a toe to it, then Joseph had a go that was kicked off the line only as far as Bogle who lifted the ball high into the net. That was a welcome relief to take the lead. We thought we had a second goal when Byram received the ball on the wing from Aaronson and passed into the middle for Solomon to score, only to see it disallowed for offside.

I thought the second half passed very quickly as Leeds looked threatening with a great run through the middle towards the Kop. Gnonto released the ball to Solomon on his left slightly too far forward giving the keeper the chance to block the ball going into the net. We had another chance where Aaronson took the ball into the box and Bogle saw his shot saved by the keeper. As the game neared the end, we were all on tenterhooks thinking that QPR were going to get an equaliser and deny us a win. Thankfully, for once it worked in our favour as we attacked again with Schmidt taking the ball forward and passed to Piroe who ran to the left of the box hitting the ball into the net to ensure we got the win on the day. There were a few anxious moments today but in reality, Meslier didn’t have too much to do. I hadn’t seen the table before the game so until it was mentioned, didn’t know they were near the bottom of it. As always in football though, we know that it doesn’t matter where a team is, anyone can win on the day. Another three points and a clean sheet keeps us up at the top as we head into the international break.

The day before Swansea, we say goodbye to my husband Phillip/Captain as we celebrate his life. He will get a great send off from family, friends, workmates and Leeds fans and we are very grateful for the support given to us. Next week though will be very tough too as we take a trip with the youngest grandchildren that we were going to do with him. No doubt we will have plenty of tears throughout these next two weeks but I’m a great believer in talking about things and crying if you have to. Good luck to anyone else in this situation as I know how tough it is.

See you after the break, LUFC – Marching on Together!