LUFC Shadow Squad U11's v Leeds Schools FA U11's 9th October 2009
A damp evening on a superbly manicured but greasy grass pitch at Thorp Arch Training Ground was the setting for the first of two fixtures with LUFC Shadow Squad within the next month
The game was set up in four 15-minute "quarters" to allow for rotation within both squads.
Scott Graham in the LSFA goal playing the first and third quarters, started off the game with a back line in front of him comprising Sam Bellerby, Harry Shelborn, Tom Godden and Joe Wheeler.
Forwards Jonny Nyantou and Ollie Armitage were to be caught out by the offside trap on a few occasions early in the game. A good period of pressure by LSFA culminated on 12 minutes, when a ball from Sam Vasey met the feet of Jonny who came close to opening the scoring. That was to be the last effort in the first quarter.
Declan Conlon was to play the second and final quarter in the LSFA net. On 20 minutes , a throw by Aidan Rodgers met the feet of Tom Schofield who passed the ball adeptly to Jonny only to have the ball saved. However, soon after Jonny was to get his goal again from a long throw. 1- 0 to LCFA.
The defence now supplemented by 2nd quarter sub Callum Hamilton, was to link up nicely on occasions with the midfield of Scott Smith, Tyler Thompson, McKenzie Haigh and Callum Elson. In turn some nice link play between Tom Schofield and Jonny was to provide a real threat. However it was the other Tom, Godden who was to stretch LSFA's lead to 2-0 from a lovely curling ball from the corner that thwarted all including the keeper.
Leeds Shadow Squad were to respond soon after, when a free kick awarded to the shadow squad central and just outside the box was converted with great precision and power, giving the LSFA keeper little chance as the lofted ball looped over the three man wall and the keeper. LSFA 2 LUFC SS 1
Callum Elson, Tom Schofield and Ollie were to produce some good passing play that resulted in a few goalmouth scrambles. Soon after the third quarter began, Sam Bellerby was to step up to produce a lovely free kick that was to give Tom Schofield his second and LSFA's third. LSFA 3 LUFC SS 1.
A couple of searching crosses into the LUFC SS goal area were snuffed out by the LUFC SS defence. Corner fro Tyler into the box met the chest of Callum Ellison and back to Tyler whose shot on goal was saved. Shadow squad had another few attacks thwarted by LSFA's solid back line and with one attack forcing a superb double save by keeper Declan Conlon.
Jonny was to get his second of the night from a loose ball, his speed taking him past the final man and then calmly slotting the ball past the Shadow Squad keeper.
The whistle was to be heard as the ball hit the back of the net to complete the 4-1 score line; An assured Leeds Schools FA performance against a well organised LUFC shadow squad side.