LEEDS 1 v 5 LIVERPOOL - Carnegie Premiership]
After last week's inactivity we were all looking forward to the re-match with Liverpool, who let's face it were a 'country mile ' in front of us back in November! The Leeds team was still missing their captain Tyler Thompson with appendicitis, and this would have been just the game for a fit Tyler!
On a pitch still frozen in parts from a heavy frost, but otherwise in excellent condition, the Leeds boys were excited about the game at the terrific venue of Carnegie.
Leeds opened up very well with Scott Smith and Sheldon Muzvidiwa combining frequently down the Leeds right to cause panic in the Liverpool ranks. The Leeds central midfield of Callum Elson, Sam Vasey and Dan Bambrook were battling hard against an excellent Liverpool formation and whilst not being able to be their usual creative selves they certainly gave Liverpool no time to play their passing game and honours were even. Tom Godden was back at the heart of the Leeds defence and won every challenge against the highly rated Gerrard Garner and Tom was ably supported by Joe Wheeler, McKenzie Haigh and Sam Bellerby. The game was all square with 22 minutes gone, when from a rare Liverpool corner the ball wasn't cleared and the ball was crashed home from just inside the box. A minute later the ball was passed across his own box by a Leeds player under pressure and the gleeful and surprised Garner rammed the ball home. Then right on the half time whistle a long ball over the top was being allowed to drift harmlessly wide by keeper Scott Graham when a Liverpool boy chased it and from an acute angle dived to head past a surprised Graham. 3-0 DOWN AND A FLATTERING SCORELINE BUT THREE INSTANCES OF POOR PLAY AGAINST A GOOD TIME AND THAT'S THE RESULT.
The boys came out in the second half with renewed energy and determined to right the wrong! Jack McGahan scored with a beautifully flighted free kick and it was game on. Jonathan Nyantou burst through and clear of the defence struck a shot which the keeper saved at full stretch. A few minutes later Vasey fired over and cracks were beginning to show in the Liverpool game plan. The game was played mainly in the Liverpool half but then against the run of play Elson tripped Garner on the edge of the box and the resultant free kick was driven high into the net. This was hard on Elson who had given every ounce of energy for the cause and Godden and Aaron Wilcock who had resisted all the efforts of the Liverpool attack. Harry Shelborn was getting forward and putting dangerous balls into the box along with Bellerby and from one of Leeds many second half corners Tom Schofield found himself in front of goal but could not get his shot away in time. Finally against the run of play a marginal offside decision went against Leeds and 'bang' 5-1! A harsh score line boys and on another day with a bit of luck it could have been much, much closer. Roll on Derby next week and the chance to progress in the Green 'Un! Liverpool watch out on Carnegie Cup day we will be ready for you, you deserved the win today but we're catching you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!