Leeds U11's -v- Ormskirk and Magull

This scratch Leeds side, made from the available resources of the 31 players in the squad, lined up against an Ormskirk District side that had been beaten 4-0 by Liverpool the previous day. Three twenty minute sessions were played.  Whilst Ormskirk looked up for the challenge, Leeds appeared lethargic and the early exchanges saw Ormskirk exploit plenty of space down their right flank. Nonetheless, the defensive partnership of Callum Hamilton and Tom Godden held firm and Leeds were unlucky not to go ahead after Tom Schofield picked up a long throw by Luke Bennett and shot just wide.

However, Ormskirk continued to press and whilst they were prepared to play football, the Leeds team appeared uncomfortable on the ball were keen to get rid of it rather than look for the pass.  On 10 minutes, Ormskirk put through a defence splitting pass that their forward latched on to and passed the ball across goal for the other forward to slot the ball past Dan Resendez, who was in goal for the first period.  This was no less than they deserved.

This provoked the Leeds team into life and within five minutes, Robert Flynn had curled a long ball towards the top corner pulling off a save from the Ormskirk keeper. Just after the quarter hour mark Tyler Thompson put a ball over the top of the Ormskirk defence and Oliver Armitage lobbed the ball over the keeper for the second time in two days to make it 1-1. Leeds' defence continued to look nervous and despite speculative shots from Tyler, Jack McGahan and Tom Schofield in the second period, Ormskirk looked the more likely to get the next goal. Scott Graham, on as keeper for the second period pulled off a number of saves to keep Leeds in the game. McKenzie Haigh in midfield was battling hard but seemed a little off the pace.  Cracks were showing and when a long drop kick from the Ormskirk keeper went through to the Leeds penalty area, the clearance from Callum was driven in again and, despite Robert Flynn making a goal line clearance, the ball was driven back in through a crowd of Leeds defenders and into the bottom corner to make it 2-1.

Ormskirks No 6 continued to find rich pickings down Leeds' right side and Scott was again tested, managing to parry the ball out for a corner. Ormskirk were awarded with a penalty from the resultant corner after a shot was handled by one of Leeds' defenders.  A confidently taken spot kick saw the lead extend to 3-1.

After a motivational talk from Michael Rossiter at the break, the third period saw an improvement in Leeds' application. A period of pressure from Leeds earned them a throw in down the left. Tom Godden picked the ball up and struck a low drive past the keeper to make it 3-2.  Ormskirk managed to soak up any further visits into their half and Dan managed to deny a further goal scoring opportunity towards the end of the third period. 

Reflecting on Leeds performance, the coach felt that Leeds had not played to their potential but was confident that as the season progressed, the individual qualities of the players would gel into improved team performances.