Both Leeds United and Farsley AFC were winners

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)

History will say Farsley AFC 0-5 Leeds United, but at Throstle Nest today, both clubs were winners.

Leeds got what they came for. A game under their belts ahead of their foreign tour. New signings Noel Hunt, Luke Murphy and Matt Smith made their debuts and Smith and Hunt both grabbed goals. That’s a good start to their United careers.

The game itself was straightforward for Leeds. Dominic Poleon breached a hole in the Farsley defence after just five minutes so that was 1-0.

Farsley had little bits of pressure, but nothing that tested Paddy Kenny. Paddy Miller came the closest to scoring for Farsley in the late stages when he hit the post. Ross McCormack, who is attracting interest from other clubs, was causing endless problems and a second Leeds goal was inevitable. Poleon crossed and the giant Smith was on hand to head home.

He scored again before the break so there was a real danger that Leeds would run up a high score.

Fortunately they didn’t as that may have tarnished a great day for Farsley. Five was enough and a fair reflection on the game. In the sweltering heat that the players had to endure, two goals inside the first 20 minutes of the second half rounded off the scoring. Hunt headed his first goal for the club and then White broke through for number five.

That’s what Leeds came for – a solid performance.

For Farsley, it was about making money and portraying their club in a good light to a larger than normal audience. Nearly 3,000 people crammed into Throstle Nest and the day was a huge success.

The Leeds players were a credit to themselves. Every player posed for photographs and signed autographs including the injured Sam Byram who watched the game from the main stand.

For everyone it was a great day and had rewards for everyone – Farsley, Leeds supporters and then the Leeds team itself.