Redcar and Cleveland - v Leeds U11's B 7th Nov

On a bright and beautiful autumn morning, Leeds lined up with Declan Conlon in goal and a 4-4-2 line up of Callum Hamilton, Brandon Kavanagh, Alex Barrett and Robert Flynn in defence; a midfield of Sam Armstrong, Jake Croft, Luke Bennett and Aidan Rodgers and a striking partnership of Oliver Armitage and Josh Copley.

Early exchanges indicated that there was little to choose between the two teams. Croft and Bennett were linking up seeking out Armitage and Hamilton was putting in some strong challenges. As the half wore on, Redcar were starting to play the more threatening football stringing a number of passes to together.  Leeds defence was coping well though and clearing their lines. Half way through the first half an injured Kavanagh, who up to that point had played well, was replaced by Aaron Wilcock.

Rodgers was looking lively on the right hand side and Leeds were beginning to apply some pressure on the Redcar defence. Copley managed to have a strike on goal following some good work by Croft in midfield but the keeper collected comfortably. Leeds were finding it difficult to penetrate the robust defensive line up of Redcar who were maintaining their shape and were able to anticipate Leeds' attempts to push forward. Armitage and Copley were coming deep to collect the ball, which meant that there was still much to do when they got hold of the ball. On 25 minutes Redcar broke into the Leeds area and forced a great save from Conlon who could only parry the ball out to a waiting striker who bundled the ball over the line despite the attention of the Leeds central defender found Armitage battling well at the Redcar corner flag and getting the ball free to Copley who put in a perfect cross for Simpson to tuck the ball away for the Leeds equaliser. 

The second half saw Dan Resendez replace Conlon and Croft replaced by Adam Leadsford.  Disaster struck almost immediately when a simple cross from the left saw Resendez bend down to scoop up the ball, only to see it pass through his legs and onto a grateful striker who probably scored the easiest goal of his young career. 

Leeds were looking anxious and were not playing with the confidence and fluency that they are capable of. A degree of hesitancy was creeping into Leeds' play and, despite showing great determination; they were lacking the killer instinct to put Redcar under the cosh.   

As the second half progressed, Leeds collectively put their game back together and started to look threatening. Croft returned to the fray and Leeds were playing better than they had done for the previous 55 minutes. The final quality ball was still missing though and Leeds could not break down Redcars' organised defence before the final whistle. On the balance of play and chances created, Redcar probably just edged the game.