A Tale of One Divided City

Leeds City Triumph Over FC United in Epic FA Cup Clash

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In a scintillating encounter at Broadhurst Park, Leeds City emerged victorious in a thrilling FA Cup Second Qualifying Round match against their arch-rivals FC United of Manchester.

The clash, rich with historical context and fueled by the passion of both sets of fans, delivered an unforgettable spectacle as Leeds City secured a 5-3 victory.

The match began in breathtaking fashion as Darren Lowe wasted no time making his mark. A mere 25 seconds into the game, a failed clearance by FC United's Reggie Evans fell kindly to Max Wright, who, with swift awareness, delivered a low pass to Lowe inside the box. Lowe calmly curled the ball into the far-left netting, putting Leeds City ahead 1-0.

Lowe continued his goal-scoring spree, converting a 13th-minute penalty with another clinical finish into the same netting. The visitors seemed to be in complete control when Scott Mckernie added a third just five minutes later. A brilliant run by Jay Benn down the right-wing led to a pass to Max Wright, who, in turn, laid it off to Mckernie. The midfielder's first-time effort found the bottom-right corner, extending Leeds City's lead to 3-0.

However, as the first half progressed, complacency crept in. In the 42nd minute, FC United's Korede Adedoyin capitalised on a chipped cross from Dominic Richmond, heading it in from close range. The goal injected a sense of urgency into the home side and planted seeds of doubt in the Leeds City defense.

The drama escalated in the 77th minute when Amari Miller, a former Leeds United player, stepped up to take a penalty against his former fans. Miller confidently struck the ball down the middle as Leeds City's Ryan Schofield dived to his right, narrowing the scoreline to 3-2.

Just as tension built, Darren Lowe stepped forward once again, converting another penalty with a powerful finish into the right-hand corner, completing his hat-trick and restoring Leeds City's two-goal advantage at 4-2.

FC United, determined not to go down without a fight, staged a late comeback bid. In the 84th minute, Michael Kennedy initiated a surprising counter-attack, delivering a forward pass to Dominic Richmond. With only Aaron Pickles and Will Thornton back for Leeds City, Amari Miller made an unmarked run down the centre-right of the field before powering a finish past Schofield into the bottom-left corner, bringing the score to 4-3.

Yet, Leeds City sealed the deal with a spectacular goal in the 89th minute. Jay Benn's throw to Max Wright initiated a swift play that culminated in Scott Mckernie's outstanding outside-of-the-boot shot into the top-left corner, flying past the FC United goalkeeper Reece Byrne. The goal secured a 5-3 victory and sparked jubilant celebrations among the Leeds City faithful.

The clash between Leeds City and FC United of Manchester holds significance beyond the pitch. Rooted in the disillusionment of fans with their respective former clubs, the fixture mirrors the intense rivalry between Leeds United and Manchester United, albeit in a non-league setting.

FC United, promoted via the playoffs last season, represented higher-tier opposition, showcasing Leeds City's ability to overcome challenges in the NPL Premier Division. The victory sets the stage for Leeds City's next FA Cup challenge, where they will face Belper Town in the Third Qualifying Round, aiming to secure their first-ever appearance in the First Round Proper. As the journey in the FA Cup unfolds, Leeds City's triumph over FC United stands as a testament to their resilience and determination.

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Leeds City Secure Historic FA Cup First Round

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In a historic encounter at Middleton Park, Leeds City etched their name in the annals of club history by reaching the FA Cup First Round for the first time.

The dramatic 3-2 triumph against National League South side Dulwich Hamlet had fans on the edge of their seats, marking a significant milestone for the ambitious NPL Premier Division club.

The game got off to a pulsating start as Scott Mckernie opened the scoring for Leeds City in the 10th minute. Liam Coulson orchestrated the play, delivering a precise pass to Mckernie in the corner of the penalty area. With sublime technique, Mckernie curled the ball into the far-right corner, giving the home side an early 1-0 lead.

As the first half progressed, Dulwich Hamlet showed resilience, and their efforts paid off just before the halftime whistle. Arezki Hamouchene, on the receiving end of a well-placed through pass from Richardson, calmly slotted the ball past Leeds City keeper Rogan Ravenhill, leveling the score at 1-1.

The second half continued to deliver a thrilling spectacle, and Leeds City retook the lead in the 60th minute. Darren Lowe, in exceptional form, capitalised on an intricate interplay between Jay Benn and Max Wright on the right wing. Benn threaded a precise pass to Lowe, who navigated past two defenders before unleashing a powerful strike into the net, making it 2-1.

However, Dulwich Hamlet, determined to keep their own FA Cup dreams alive, once again found the equaliser. Ryan Seager showcased clinical finishing with a toe-punted near-post effort in the 81st minute, bringing the score level at 2-2.

In the dying moments of the match, Darren Lowe emerged as the hero with a late, decisive winner in the 89th minute. George Maris delivered a well-placed corner, and Eze Ebuzoeme's failed attempt to clear the ball allowed Will Thornton to head it towards the six-yard box. Lowe, displaying his goal-scoring prowess, volleyed the ball into the net, sending Leeds City fans into ecstatic celebration.

Dulwich Hamlet manager Tommy Widdrington's post-match comments added a touch of bitterness to the occasion. Widdrington claimed that Leeds City was not as formidable as perceived, asserting that his team would prevail in 100 encounters.

In response to Tommy Widdrington's post-match comments suggesting Dulwich Hamlet's superiority, Leeds City manager David Turner wittily remarked, "Well, I suppose we'll just have to settle for winning this one and focus on the next 99 victories in his dreams. We'll keep working hard, playing our game, and if he's still feeling confident, maybe we'll see him in the next 99 FA Cup draws. Cheers to dreams and good football, Tommy!"

The historic triumph sets the stage for Leeds City's first-ever clash against Football League opponents in the FA Cup First Round. The draw has pitted them against League One side Wycombe Wanderers, with the monumental fixture scheduled for October 31, 2026, at Adams Park. As Leeds City continues their remarkable journey, the prospect of facing higher-tier opposition in the Football League adds an extra layer of excitement to their fairy-tale run in the FA Cup.

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Leeds City hammer League One Wycombe as FA Cup run continues

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In a historic and stunning victory, Leeds City pulled off a remarkable 5-1 win against Football League side Wycombe Wanderers in the FA Cup First Round Replay at Middleton Park.

The triumph, which defied the four-division gap between the teams, marked Leeds City's first-ever competitive encounter against a Football League opponent.

The tone was set in the 25th minute when David Downes capitalised on a defensive mishap, scoring with a deflected shot to give Leeds City a surprising 1-0 lead. Seven minutes later, Darren Lowe rose above the Wycombe defence, connecting with Jake Leake's cross to head home at the near post, doubling the lead to 2-0.

Scott Mckernie extended Leeds City's advantage to 3-0 with a beautifully placed shot into the top-right corner, showcasing the team's prowess on the counter-attack. Max Wright added a fourth goal in the 73rd minute, heading in Jake Leake's cross at the far post.

Despite a late consolation goal from Eseosa Sule in the 92nd minute, making it 4-1, Leeds City sealed the victory with a fifth goal in injury time. Micky Wickens found Gareth Evans, whose shot from the edge of the box was deflected in by Sule, ending the game with a resounding 5-1 scoreline in favor of the non-league side.

Leeds City's remarkable FA Cup journey continues as they prepare to face Leyton Orient in the Second Round at Middleton Park. The club's achievement in the FA Cup coincides with manager David Turner's recent contract extension, ensuring his leadership until June 2028. The victory over Wycombe Wanderers stands as a testament to the team's resilience and determination to make their mark in English football.

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Leeds City in shock advance in FA Cup 2nd Round

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In a sensational display of determination and skill, Leeds City continued their remarkable FA Cup journey by overcoming League One side Leyton Orient with a thrilling 4-2 victory in the Second Round at Middleton Park.

The breakthrough for Leeds City came in the 50th minute when right-back Jay Benn confidently converted a penalty, firing a powerful shot down the middle to give his team a 1-0 lead. However, Leyton Orient responded swiftly, and in the 58th minute, Dan Happe seized on a Danny Greenfield mistake to score a glancing header, leveling the score at 1-1.

The seesaw battle continued, and Leyton Orient took the lead in the 64th minute through Daniel Agyei, who placed the ball in the bottom-right corner, making it 2-1. Leeds City, determined to make an impact, quickly responded, as Jan Harrison, in only his third senior appearance for the club, equalised with a powerful shot across goal, bringing the score to 2-2 in the 65th minute.

Jan Harrison wasn't done making an impact, as the winger, making his first start for Leeds City, secured his brace just three minutes later with a precise finish into the bottom-right corner, reclaiming the lead at 3-2 in the 68th minute. Striker Darren Lowe, a consistent goal-scorer for Leeds City, sealed the victory in the 93rd minute with a powerful header from a superb Jake Leake cross from the left flank.

Manager David Turner expressed his pride in his team's extraordinary performance, highlighting the club's remarkable journey, having existed for only three years and five months. Leeds City's achievement is even more impressive as they are now the lowest-ranked team remaining in the FA Cup, with their place in the competition making history for the young club.

Looking ahead, Leeds City's magical FA Cup run continues as they prepare to face Blackpool at Middleton Park on January 2nd, 2027. The clash against the League One side will undoubtedly be a significant challenge for the non-league outfit, but their inspiring journey has already captured the imagination of football fans across the country.

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’Dirty Leeds’ get past Blackpool in FA Cup

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Leeds City continued their FA Cup heroics by securing a place in the Fourth Round after defeating Blackpool 2-1 at Middleton Park. This giant-killing victory marked another remarkable chapter in the club's historic journey through the prestigious competition.

The breakthrough for Leeds City came in the 35th minute when Kareem Hassan-Smith, playing in an advanced role at right-midfield, showcased his attacking prowess. Striker Darren Lowe's inventive play on the right wing created the opportunity, as he beat his marker before cleverly setting up Connor Kirby. Kirby's deft pass found Hassan-Smith, who, despite being on his weaker left foot, curled a beautiful effort from the edge of the box, giving Leeds City a 1-0 lead.

Leeds City doubled their advantage just before half-time in the 44th minute, with Connor Kirby finding the back of the net. McCauley Mail initiated the attack, playing the ball inside to Scott Mckernie, who cleverly dummied it through his legs to set up Kirby. The midfielder dribbled past his marker and unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the box, beating Blackpool's goalkeeper Theo Avery at his near post, extending Leeds City's lead to 2-0.

Blackpool mounted a comeback in the 57th minute, narrowing the deficit to 2-1 with an Owen Dale goal. Bradley de Jesus' run down the wing created space for Dale, who, despite a poorly-hit shot that traveled low into the ground, managed to find the net underneath Ryan Schofield's diving body.

After the match, Blackpool manager Steve Bruce criticised Leeds City for what he deemed 'brutal' tactics, pointing to the 21 fouls committed by David Turner's side. The referee booked seven Leeds City players during the game.

In response, David Turner humorously dismissed Bruce's comments, jokingly stating, "Dirty Leeds are back," and expressing pride in his team's 'feisty' performance. The lighthearted response aimed to downplay Bruce's remarks and highlight the resilience of his squad.

Looking ahead, Leeds City will face either League Two side Doncaster Rovers or Championship side Reading in the Fourth Round, contingent on the result of their potential opponents' replay after Doncaster held Reading to a 1-1 draw at Keepmoat Stadium. The draw offers Leeds City a relatively favorable matchup compared to some of the other Premier League and Championship teams left in the competition.

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Turner loses 147-game unbeaten league streak to Ossett

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In a surprising turn of events, David Turner, the long-standing manager of Leeds City, experienced his first league defeat after an impressive streak of 147 fixtures spanning over three years and 197 days.

The unexpected loss came at the hands of Ossett United, who secured a remarkable 5-3 victory at Middleton Park, the home stadium of Leeds City, leaving fans in shock.

Turner, who had overseen an incredible run of 137 wins and 10 draws during the unprecedented undefeated period, expressed his surprise and disappointment at the outcome. Acknowledging the defeat, Turner took full responsibility, stating that he had no excuses for the loss. In a candid admission, he reflected on the match, noting that he could have made better decisions during the game, emphasising that the defeat rested on his shoulders and not on the players.

Despite the end of the remarkable streak, Turner remained composed, showing a pragmatic understanding of the inevitability of setbacks in football. He downplayed the significance of the unbeaten run, stating that he never placed too much emphasis on it, always aware that such an extraordinary streak would eventually come to an end.

Turner's humility and accountability in the face of defeat resonated with the Leeds City faithful, highlighting his commitment to continuous improvement and his refusal to dwell on past accomplishments. The loss serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of football and the resilience required to navigate the challenges of the sport.

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