Hull - v - Leeds U11's

 

 Hull were looking for revenge following last week's League defeat to Leeds A.  The consensus amongst the Leeds faithful was that Leeds would have to play well and find a wounded Hull having an off day. Leeds lined up with Declan Conlon in goal and a back four of Alex Barrett, Josh Copley (sweeper), Callum Hamilton and Luke Bennett. The midfield of Liam Dyer, Tom Godden, Brandon Kavanagh and Jake Croft supported the forward line of Sam Armstrong and Oliver Armitage.

Leeds sought to get the ball up to the front players as early as possible. The strategy appeared to be working well with Armitage looking lively and latching onto balls from Kavanagh and Bennett.  However, against the run of play, Hull sprung the Leeds defence in much the same way as Redcar had done the previous week and their striker lobbed the ball over a stranded Conlon to make it 1-0.

Leeds responded well and the next ten minutes saw most of the play in the Hull half. Godden, Dyer and Kavanagh were linking up well to keep the pressure on Hull, who still looked dangerous on the counter attack.  On 15 minutes, a perfectly weighted ball over the top of the defence put their striker into a position to play a deft lob over Conlon to make it 2-0.

It would have been easy for Leeds' heads to go down but they kept to their game plan and took the play to Hull. Sustained pressure had Hull firmly camped in their own half. Armstrong was unlucky to see hid shot go just wide of the Hull post.  Shortly afterwards a clever pull back from Armitage set up Bennett in the area but his shot went just wide.

Once again though, defensive frailties were exposed when Hull broke down the left.  The resulting cross was ignored by the defence leaving a simple tap in for the Hull striker to make it 3-0 against the run of play.

Dan Resendez replaced Conlon in goal for the second half and Charlie Simpson and Adam Leadsford replaced Kavanagh and Armstrong respectively. Within thirty seconds of the restart Leeds were 4-0 down. A through ball from the Hull midfield caught the defence not tuned into the start and their striker went through on the keeper and slotted the ball into the net.  Leeds went a further goal behind shortly after with a repeat of the first goal.

The introduction of Robert Flynn and Aiden Rogers had an immediate impact. Good work from Godden in midfield set up Rogers who slotted the ball home for a well deserved goal. Leeds continued to show great spirit and determination.  Both Simpson and Armitage went close before Leadsford fired home from a Simpson cross. As the half drew to a close anyone joining the spectators would have thought it was Leeds who were winning 5-2.

Unfortunately, time ran out for Leeds.  However, Leeds can take many positives from their performance. Their heads never went down and they played well.  If they can take more ownership in defence and convert the chances presented to them then victories will follow. The difference was not that Hull was a better footballing side than Leeds.  They just took their chances.