U’s 0-1 Leeds – Report

COLCHESTER UNITED fell to a 1-0 home defeat against Leeds United on Saturday afternoon.

Luciano Becchio`s sole strike was enough to ensure the Whites returned to Yorkshire with three points in front of a capacity crowd of nearly 10,000 at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

U`s gaffer Paul Lambert named an unchanged starting XI from the midweek win at Millwall, although new-boy Ashley Vincent was named among the substitutes for the first time.

And it was the home side which started the game on the front foot, however, the first chance fell to Leeds and Jermaine Beckford, but he failed to control the ball when in behind.

Shortly later, U`s front-man Karl Hawley, still looking for his first goal in blue and white, forced a smart save from Kasper Ankergren. The Danish stopper sharply turned the ball away down low to his right.

Argentine striker Becchio then headed over from Robert Snodgrass` cross in a lively start to the game.

Around twenty-five minutes in and, after being played in by Hawley, Mark Yeates saw his curling effort expertly tipped over by Ankergren.

Minutes later and the U`s were behind as Becchio got the ball beyond two defenders before lashing home a superb shot into the top corner, leaving Mark Cousins, in goal, no chance. The goal sent the masses of travelling support, in both the away areas and home, into delirium.

The U`s nearly drew level shortly later as Yeates whipped a wonderful shot just wide of the upright.

Up the other end Becchio came close to adding a second, but lifted a clever header over the bar.

Beckford, who had been a constant threat for the visitors throughout, saw his low effort blocked by Cousins around the half time mark.

The second period begun but neither team failed to create many clear-cut chances in a slow start.

U`s target man Clive Platt came close to connecting to two crosses after Simon Hackney`s introduction helped lift the home team.

Highly-rated Leeds youngster Fabien Delph thought he had doubled his side`s advantages but was ruled offside after slotting home from Cousins` parry.

As the U`s looked to get a late leveller, Yeates saw his low drilled effort comfortably smothered by Ankergren.

Right at the death Cousins denied Beckford well, after racing through on goal, to keep the score at 1-0.