Ormskirk and Magul-v- Leeds U11's B
The long trip over a fog bound Pennines saw Leeds line up against an Ormskirk side in need of a win after two successive defeats. Leeds were depleted and had drafted in a couple of extra players at short notice. Leeds made a bright start. Within five minutes they could have been two up after Oliver Armitage had rounded the keeper only to fire wide and Josh Copley connect too well with a loose ball on the edge of the area seeing it fly over the bar. Mackenzie Haigh and Liam Dyer were feeding the early ball up to Armitage and Copley and both were putting Ormskirks defence under pressure but they managed to weather the storm.
On the quarter hour mark Declan Conlon in the Leeds goal was called upon to make a great save over the bar from the influential No 11 midfielder for Ormskirk. This was a portent of things to come. Leeds, however, had another chance to go ahead when, for the second time in the match the Ormskirk keeper was rounded only for Sam Armstrong to put the ball wide. Leeds were beginning to think that the Ormskirk goal was protected by a forcefield.
Increasingly, Ormskirk grew strength from Leeds' inability to convert their chances and the No11 midfielder was running the show for Ormskirk. Despite the increasing dominance displayed by Ormskirk, Leeds conjured further opportunities following good work down the right by Armstrong and Alex Barrett. Copley shot just wide of the post and Armitage was denied a goal scoring opportunity when the ball stuck under his feet as he was about to strike. Five minutes before the break Leeds failed to close down the influential No12 and he unleashed a low hard drive from long range to beat Conlon down to his left.
The second half saw Conlon replaced by Resendez in goal. Leeds were second to the ball and failing to close down the Ormskirk playmaker. Leeds defence were asleep when they allowed the Ormskirk No11 to burst through and hit the post after Resendez came out to narrow the angle. After 10 minutes though Ormskirk were two up thanks to a powerful run and shot from the No11, which looped over the keeper. The second half was characterised by Leeds' midfield and defence being second to the tackle. For this, they paid the price, allowing the No11 to drive the ball home as he ghosted down the Leeds right.
Three more goals from the No11 were to follow before the whistle blew. Leeds' only chance of note coming from a long-range strike from midfield. Reflecting after the game, Mr Tonge, the Leeds coach felt that the team had not closed down the Ormskirk players and been second to the tackle. Certainly, Leeds were the author of their own downfall through not capitalising on the opportunities that came their way. Had these been taken, they could have found themselves 3 -0 in the first ten minutes and defending a sizeable lead rather than chasing the game.