27-07-11: Bradford Park Avenue (a) 1-2 (HT 0-2) Crowd (?)

Programme:

On 25th July 2012 United signed Twenty-seven year old goalkeeper Andy Lonergan from Preston North End for £200,000 on a three year contract with a weekly wage of more than £10,000 and, as he couldn't make the trip to Norway, he went straight into an understrength United side at the Horsfall Stadium with Bradford Park Avenue in a friendly two days later. The game was designed to let Leeds Manager Simon Grayson have a look at his Juniors and other players who had not had much game time. Lonergan, Mike Grella and Boldiszar Bodor were the only players who were not Juniors as the team lined up: Andy Lonergan; Zac Thompson, Lewis Turner, Nathan Turner, Boldiszar Bodor; Conor Qualter, Sanchez Payne, Will Hatfield, Joe McCann; Mike Grella and Dominic Poleon. Midway through the first half Bradford took the lead as Aiden Savory beat Andy Lonergan with a well struck low drive. The same player was also involved as Park Avenue went 2-0 to the good before the break, when his pin-point centre found Richard Marshall who scored with a fine header. Leeds had put on a poor performance in the first half and Bradford thoroughly deserved their two goal lead. The visitors did improve in the second half as Dominic Poleon was twice denied and Mike Grella ended a mazy run by gaining a corner. It was Dominic Poleon who showed good strength to hold off two defenders before reducing the arrears as he touched the ball into the net. Andy Lonergan pulled off a couple of good second half saves as he showed his worth with a superlative save to deny Bradford a third. The Leeds substitutes were: Goalkeeper Eric Grimes, Right Back Sam Byram, Central Defender Ross Killock, Midfielders Dean Bartle, Charlie Clamp, defender Monty Gimpel and left-back Charlie Taylor.