Bradford Schools FA U11's B -v- Leeds Schools FA B U11's
According to the Met office Spring began on the 1st March. You wouldn't have guessed it as both teams lined up on a cold and overcast Saturday morning. From the back Leeds had Dan Resendez in goal and a back four of Harry Shelborn, Alex Barrett, Callum Hamilton and Jacob Pacey. Midfield was made up of Liam Dyer, Aidan Rodgers Jake Croft and Charlie Simpson with Josh Copley and Ollie Armitage up front.
Right from the start Simpson put Bradford under pressure down the left. Copley made his intentions clear from the start shooting just wide within the first five minutes. It was ten minutes into the game before Bradford made their first serious attempt on the Leeds goal. Bradford broke down their right flank and the resulting cross evaded both the Leeds defence and Bradford strikeforce. Croft was linking up well with Armitage who was instrumental in forcing succession of corners from a panicking Bradford defence.
What little Bradford had to offer was comfortably dealt with by Shelborn and Hamilton in the centre of defence. Copley had already shown that he was an impressive striker of the ball with his earlier corners so when a free kick was awarded midway into the Bradford half he was the natural choice to take it. Copley struck the ball towards the keepers' right and when it hit the back of the net Leeds thought they were a goal ahead. The goal was disallowed for offside but the risk of a free kick within 20 yards of the Bradford goal was now evident.Pacey was having a battle royal with Bradfords No 9, who looked the most likely to score for them. Sustained pressure from the Leeds midfield saw a number of opportunities fall to Armitage, Croft and Copley without finding the back of the net. Dyer, Rodgers and Simpson were all working hard to maintain Leeds' superiority through to half time.
The second half introduced Declan Conlon in goal with Robert Flynn coming into a defensive midfield role replacing Simpson. Leeds picked up where they had left off. A succession of corners from Copley were begging to be converted into a Leeds goal but the charmed Bradford defence could not be breached. The Bradford coach was displaying a customary lack of discipline and composure and this was being mirrored on the pitch. Bradford had already been warned of the dangers of giving away free kicks. Copley stepped up to launch the ball from the edge of their penalty area and it was all the keeper could do to get a hand to it before spilling it over his head and into the goal. It was no less than Leeds deserved.
Bradford rallied and began to put Leeds under pressure. Sam Armstrong came on for Dyer to shore things up in midfield. Flynn dropped back to the centre of defence and was having one of his best games. Bradfords frustration bubbled over after Armitage was judged to have fouled one of their defenders. The defender was substituted to avoid any further embarrassment. Leeds returned Simpson to the fray to give the hard working Rodgers a well deserved rest with five minutes to go. Armitage was unlucky not to score when he picked up a beautifully threaded ball from Copley and using his pace he unleashed a fierce strike which demanded a great save from the keeper. Late in the game Leeds blushes were spared when, on the break, the Bradford striker rounded Conlon and with an open goal at his mercy put the ball wide. The game ended with deserved victory for Leeds. Questions should be asked as to whether the Bradford coach's behaviour is appropriate for schoolboy football.