Football: Dutch high notes

Leeds United 2 Molenaar 45, Hasselbaink 79 Grimsby Town 0 Attend ance: 29,598

GOALS from their two Dutchmen, Robert Molenaar and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, saw Leeds safely into the fifth round of the FA Cup. While they did not always give the most fluent performance, George Graham's team showed the solidity and organisation that have made some of their followers believe that this could be the year when they make a real mark on the competition.

Grimsby, already established as dangerous cup opponents this season, ended the afternoon firmly put in their place. But for much of the first half at Elland Road, and even in flashes afterwards, they looked capable of adding Leeds to the scalps of Sheffield Wednesday and Leicester City that they took in the Coca-Cola Cup.

To a complete stranger to the styles and philosophies of these two sides, that first half would have looked like a curious case of role-reversal. It was the Premiership side who looked like the honest utilitarians, keeping it simple and playing within their limitations.

Although it took a good block from Aidan Davison to keep out Harry Kewell after only a minute, Grimsby played the more expansive football, with their wingers, Kevin Donovan and David Smith, particularly prominent. And the combination of the two gave Donovan a chance which he blasted wide.

Smith's cross also set up Steve Livingstone for a header which was blocked by David Robertson without the Leeds defender knowing a great deal about it. Having survived that, Leeds scored on the stroke of half-time and it was a predictably no-frilled effort, Gary Kelly's corner being headed in by Molenaar.

Leeds were more forceful in the second half, Davison having to save well from Hasselbaink's curling free-kick. However, Donovan continued to give Leeds problems, notably when David Wetherall almost turned a cross into his own net, until Hasselbaink put the tie beyond doubt, using his considerable strength to hold off a series of challenges and fire past Davison.

Rod Wallace could have extended Leeds' lead when he volleyed onto the post in the last minute, but that would have been an even less just reflection on Grimsby's qualities.