CITY 3 LEEDS UNITED 0
League Division 1
9th September 1978
attendance 40,125
scorers Watson(8), Palmer(16 & 79)
Ref K Baker
City Corrigan, Clements, Donachie, Power, Watson, P Futcher, Channon, Owen, Palmer, Hartford, Barnes – sub Booth(unused)
Leeds Stewart, Stevenson, Gray, Flynn, Hart, Madeley, Cherry, Hankin, Hawley, Hampton, Graham – sub Harris(67)
ROGER PALMER GRABS HIS SECOND GOAL OF THE GAME
City’s ‘star’ strikers were still struggling to find anything like the form that the Maine Road faithful were expecting of them against Leeds, and so it was one of City’s upcoming youngsters who continued in his great start in the senior side by bagging a brace, to help The Blue’s to their first League victory of the season.
19 year old Roger Palmer was making his first start of the season after four games at the end of last season, and has now scored five goals in those five games. He didn’t appear a lot in the match, but showed his predatorial instincts by being the ‘Johnny on the spot’ when needed.
It was actually Big Dave Watson who showed the senior forwards how to put the ball in the net, when he superbly volleyed in Peter Barnes’ free kick in the 8th minute.
eight minutes later Palmer, anticipated Stevenson’s back pass, then rounded the Leeds’ custodian Stewart, to score the first of his two goals.
Leeds then tried to put the pressure on to get back into the match but the City defence stood firm, and Palmer sealed the victory with eleven minutes left, Stewart could only parry a Hartford shot and Palmer was the first to the rebound to finish easily. A real poacher’s goal.