LEEDS UNITED 1 CITY 1
League Division 2
10th September 1988
Attendance 23,122
Scorers
City McNab(79 pen)
Leeds Blake(88)
Ref R Nixon
City Dibble, Seagraves, Gayle, Hinchcliffe, I Brightwell, Redmond, White, McNab, Lake, Morley, Moulden – subs Gleghorn(unused), Scott(unused)
Leeds Day, Williams, Adams, Aizlewood, Blake, Ashurst, Batty, Sheridan, Baird, Davison, Hilaire – subs Aspin(48), Pearson(78)
FROM THE PRESS BOX
MARTIN THORPE WRITING IN THE GUARDIAN 12TH SEPTEMBER 1988
The subdued man in the elegant three-piece suit waiting outside Elland Road for a post-match taxi smiled at the frequent nods of recognition. The hair was greyer, the eyes tired but the face was unmistakably Malcolm Allison’s, and of course, the mind was tirelessly analytical.
“I can’t believe that was Leeds United. No pace. no mobility at the back.” He had expected better of a team with such rich traditions. But then so does everybody. which is half of Leeds’ problem.
For six years they have been trying to get back into the First Division. the last three under Billy Brernner. But Allison, jobless after a recent sacking in Portugal and “just taking in the game”, is not alone in questioning Bremner’s assertion that this will be Leeds’ year.
The addition this season of Hilaire on the wing has brought flair but unpredictability; Blake at the back. strength but awkwardness. City put on the shackles and Leeds lacked the skill to break free. In the end, the whole thing got very niggly.
Above it all rose Moulden and the hugely impressive Lake. with McNab, who put Morley clear on the run which forced Day to concede the penalty, fetching and carrying with the tireless zeal of a party host.
Blake’s head at the far post met Sheridan’s tree-kick for the equaliser, but that was about it. Leeds and City were left to wait for their first win of the season, Allison for his taxi.
As Allison loitered, Mel Machin, City’s manager, went silently by him. Allison, alone and jobless, glanced at the man now in charge at Maine Road then looked away as if unmoved.
But the poignancy of the moment seemed to eat at him and as Machin was about to board the bus, when perhaps he thought no one was looking, Allison stole another glance.
If only things had worked out differently, then he, not Machin, would have been getting on that bus. But he found it difficult to recapture former glorles. Leeds know how he feels.