Clean sheet shock for Leeds in Reading TSS November 29, 2010 Match reviews 8 Comments First off, before we get started on what will be an unusually brief match report, I’d just like to apologise for the lack of updates the past week. It’s been a combination of illness and some technical issues that’s limited my time, but neither stopped my journey to the Majeski stadium on Saturday. It was a battle of what appeared to be two very evenly matched sides in Leeds and Reading. The early stuff was pretty drab, and the two sides cancelled each other out. The Leeds fans are seasoned pros at enduring dull football however, and a solid session of hardcore WACCOEing kept the masses amused – I’m sure my boss will have been happy to see me wafting my shirt around in the subzero Majeski after taking the week off with a severe dose of man-flu. It was fair to say, I was on the way to a full recovery. Meanwhile, on the pitch, Leeds were putting on a surprisingly strong defensive display to soak up the early attacks from Reading. At both ends, chances were few and far between and it took well over half an hour for anything even remotely interesting to happen when Snoddy forced a save from a free-kick. Snoddy’s attempt seemed to be the spark that got things going as Reading responded, forcing a goal line clearance from Max Gradel and a good save from Kasper Schmeichel shortly afterwards. Max Gradel had provided the best moments of the first half for Leeds United, with some mazy runs beyond former Whites defender Ian Harte (and the afore mentioned goal-line clearance), but you always know he’ll level things out sooner or later with his greed or temperament. It was his temperament that let him down this time as he was extremely fortunate to get away with kicking Andy Griffin. There could have been no arguments from Leeds fans had he got his marching orders, especially when he decided to shout his mouth off at everyone afterwards. Max’s reaction wasn’t dissimilar to his red card against Bristol City last season, showing he’s learnt absolutely nothing from an error that nearly cost us promotion. As it happened, this time he got away with a yellow card. Very lucky! The second half started much the same as the first half ended. Reading continued to try and break through, but Leeds stood firm with Schmeichel equal to anything thrown at him. Even a Ian Harte free-kick right on the end of the area couldn’t beat the Danish stopper as our defence continued to deny Reading of space and opportunity. Leeds had a few half chances, but a clear cut opening proved illusive. Both managers changed things round, with Paynter and McCormack coming on for Leeds, but neither could provide the moment of magic it was going to take to win this game. Reading meanwhile, will consider themselves unlucky not to have taken the three points, but a combination of good defending, Kasper Schmeichel and a fair bit of luck kept Leeds level for what turned out to be our first clean sheet in over two months.