Close-season City target Gray shines for Leeds at Farsley (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Close-season Bradford City target Andy Gray shines for Leeds United at Farsley

10:40pm Friday 20th July 2012 in Farsley By Ian Whiting

Farsley 2, Leeds United 5

Farsley’s first pre-season game ended in defeat tonight after Leeds United trialist Andy Gray fired in an early brace to set the Championship side on the way to victory.

Veteran striker Gray had been a target for Bradford City boss Phil Parkinson this summer but has links with Leeds, having begun his career at Elland Road and also the family ties of father Frank and uncle Eddie.

The fact that Neil Warnock, who was Andy’s manager at Sheffield United, is now the Leeds boss has also worked against the forward returning to Valley Parade for a second spell.

Gray netted a deflected shot just after the half-hour and headed home Leeds’ second, Robbie Rodgers making it 3-0 soon after, and that was the score at the break.

Farsley got a foothold in the game through an own goal when Sam Byron turned a header past his own keeper following a 61st-minute corner.

A Billy Paynter shot made it 4-1 to the visitors before Ryan Watson cut the deficit again with a superb 25-yard shot.

However, Leeds had the final say as Sanchez Payne wrapped up the scoring in the penultimate minute.

Two of Farsley’s three close-season signings played - Adam Priestley from the start and Rob Pacey as a substitute but midfield general Chris Walton was attending a family wedding.