Cup dream is over (From Times Series)

Cup dream is over

2:51pm Thursday 21st September 2006

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LEEDS UNITED 3 Blake 7, Moore 55, 74
BARNET 1 Vieira, 78
It is usual for the bigger club to make sweeping changes for Carling Cup ties.

But underfire Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell, who was sacked yesterday anyway, put out his strongest side - and he needed to.

The Bees, who made eight changes from Saturday's league match, played some excellent passing football at times and caused the hosts big problems in the second period.

Manager Paul Fairclough insisted he had equality' throughout his squad, but you cannot blame fans for wondering what if?' Some left Elland Road believing that a full-strength' Barnet might have had more to celebrate than a late consolation goal and some pats on the back for a spirited display. Leeds, struggling for form in the Championship, were not exactly convincing and even they were surprised by Fairclough's selection.

Their assistant manager, John Carver, said afterwards that the club had four scouting reports compiled on Barnet, which were all deemed unnecessary when they saw the visiting line-up.

However, every Bee can be proud of their efforts. They did not look out of place on a field full of household names, such as Neil Sullivan, Gary Kelly, Steve Stone, Eddie Lewis and Geoff Horsfield, even if Leeds never really looked like losing the tie.

Fairclough said he planned to nullify the hosts in the opening 20 minutes, but an early goal eased the pressure on Blackwell and his under-achieving players.

Just seven minutes had elapsed when Kelly freed Robbie Blake and the striker calmly slotted the ball past the advancing Ross Flitney.

Though Leeds continued to create the chances, they were hardly rampan.

Blake came closest to a second on the half-hour, but his free-kick was just wide. For the Bees, Liam Hatch had two long-range efforts in the final minutes of the first half. Sullivan got down to save the first, while the second was dragged wide.

Barnet made a real go of it after the break.

Within a couple of minutes, substitute Tresor Kandol forced Sullivan to get down to hold another effort.

Despite Barnet's good work, Leeds struck with their first real effort of the half. A Lewis corner was headed into the danger area by Hayden Foxe and sub Ian Moore flicked it home from close range with his head.

Jason Puncheon shot well wide at the other end, while Richard Graham met a Vieira pull-back on the run but saw his powerful shot blocked.

Kandol looked to have earned a penalty when he was tripped by Stephen Crainey, but nothing was given.

The Bees were finishing strongly, but, with 15 minutes to go, Blake rolled the ball into the path of Moore who drilled past the visiting keeper. Still Barnet pressed and they finally gained their reward a few minutes later, Vieira nodding home a Puncheon corner that flashed across the six-yard box.

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