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Leeds United match report: Robinson gem stings the bees
Gary McAllister was made to sweat once again in London but at least this time it was the bright sunshine and not the pressure of a play-off final which caused the United boss to perspire.
On a humid and energy-sapping day in the north of the capital, United underlined their class with two stunning goals against a competitive Barnet side to leave McAllister more than satisfied with his team's workout.
* Click here to enjoy a picture slideshow of match action from the game.
Andy Robinson, of whom so much is expected following his summer move from Swansea, gave a glimpse of what he is capable of with a fine display which was capped with a brilliant solo strike.
Ex-Leeds United ace looking to prove a point: Click here for full story.
The 28-year-old stroked home a sumptuous curling effort to give United the lead nine minutes before the break of an entertaining first half.
McAllister has spoken of the importance of his midfielders scoring goals and his players have obviously heeded their manager's advice with Jonny Howson also displaying his eye for goal with an equally sublime strike.
With the second half just three minutes old, the 19-year-old took advantage of some hesitancy in the Barnet midfield before producing an exquisite curling effort which left substitute goalkeeper Ran Kadoch completely stranded.
While that goal gave yet more evidence of Howson's growing maturity, it was his central midfield partner Fabian Delph who stole the show with a performance which suggests he will grace the Premier League one day.
At just 17 he remains raw, but he boasts such potential that McAllister must be pinching himself with the sheer amount of quality that he has at his disposal.
Jermaine Beckford and Bradley Johnson were both rested, while David Prutton and Jonathan Douglas were both unused substitutes, giving McAllister plenty to think about before his side's next friendly game at Darlington tomorrow.
Delph certainly did his chances of graduating to the first team no harm whatsoever with a performance far beyond his years, dominating the midfield while providing ample protection for a less than convincing United backline.
It took just three minutes for Barnet to expose United's deficiencies at the back as Nicky Deverdics' corner found Adam Birchall in space, but the former Arsenal man could only direct his effort against the post with Casper Ankergren beaten.
Barnet, kicking down the famous Underhill slope in the opening period, continued to cause United problems with the pace and power of the impressive Albert Adomah very much to the fore.
The partnership of Cliff Akurang and Birchall gave the United defenders something to worry about, while Ankergren's inability to deal with any of the high crosses into the penalty area will give McAllister some concern.
Despite their sluggish start, Leeds soon began to dominate proceedings and only a magnificent save from Rob Beckwith denied Luciano Becchio from firing the visitors ahead after Frazer Richardson's cross had been knocked into the Argentine's path by Enoch Showunmi.
It was a stunning stop from the home goalkeeper, but there was nothing Beckwith could do with just nine minutes of the first half remaining when Robinson produced a moment of sheer magic.
After picking up the ball on the left, Robinson drifted inside before unleashing a spectacular 25-yard curling strike which gave Beckwith absolutely no chance.
Robinson scored 10 goals from midfield as Swansea clinched the League One title last year and this was yet another reminder of just what the Elland Road faithful can expect.
Robinson was soon busy once again, this time opening up the Barnet defence with an incisive through ball for Enoch Showunmi, but the former Bristol City man could only shoot straight at Beckwith after escaping the offside trap.
Leeds continued to dominate after the break and doubled their advantage almost immediately through Howson's strike to all but end the game as a contest.
With the visitors now playing in second gear, McAllister took the opportunity to rotate his side with the likes of Scott Gardner, Lubomir Michalik and trialist Marcus Haber all given the chance to impress.
Haber in particular was anxious to make the most of his appearance, but the Canadian trialist did little to enhance his case for a contract at Elland Road after failing to convert two decent goalscoring opportunities late on.
With Leeds comfortably in the ascendancy, the game appeared to be petering out but there was still one late scare for the visitors as Adam Birchall headed over from just six yards, while Luke Medley saw his lobbed effort sail harmlessly wide after escaping the United backline.
While United looked a class apart in the midfield and striking departments, the defence must remain a concern for McAllister with Ankergren continuing to look vulnerable.
The former Brondby goalkeeper looked far from assured while the ease with which Barnet cut through the United backline in the first half will also give McAllister something to think about.
Darlington will provide a similarly tough test tomorrow and while United will head into the new League One season as favourites, McAllister will be well aware that improvements still need to be made before the opening game at Scunthorpe.
Barnet: Beckwith (Kadoch 45), Carew, Yakubu, Leary, Gillet, Adomah, Bishop, Deverdics (Porter 70), Hart (De Magalhaes 45), (St Aimie 45), Akurang (Medley 45), Birchall, (Tabiri 83).
Leeds United: Ankergren, Richardson (Telfer 56), Marques, Huntington (Michalik 69), Sheehan, Hughes, Delph, Howson, Robinson, Showunmi (Haber 69), Becchio (Gardner 69). Unused Subs: Lucas, Prutton, Douglas, Sweeney, Bayly, Parker Martin.
Referee: Mick Russell.
Attendance: 2,644.
But Neil Aspin’s side opened the scoring on 11 minutes when Darren Dunning netted after some excellent play down Town’s right wing.
The Whites responded on the quarter-hour mark, as Oliver Hotchkiss lobbed the ball over Town’s bar and then Provett was equal to Kandol’s shot.
At the other end, Dunning’s effort went just over the bar and he also hit the woodwork.
Former Harrogate Railway striker Richard Marshall completed the rout with goals on 71 and 73 minutes and squandered a late chance to complete his hat-trick.
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Weather for Leeds
Thursday 24 May 2012
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