v Felling Gateshead East SFA U'11's             10th October 2009

A sunny morning at St Theresa's saw Leeds kick off in their all white kit.

 

In nets, Dan Resendez and in front of him a back line of Sam Bellerby, Callum Hamilton, Sam Armstrong and Brandon Kavanagh were pressured early by a lively and physical Felling team.

 

The midfield of Scott Smith, Josh Copley, Dan Bambrook and Charlie Simpson all linked well but found it difficult to progress as Felling fought for the ball well. Felling's back line and keeper also effectively dealt with a few threaded crosses to Leeds' strikers Sheldon Muzvidiwa and Adam Leadford.

 

First half opponents snuffed out any Leeds attacks, winning many long balls. Leeds won many free kicks for shirt pulling but none were to result in anything as Felling snuffed out all attacks and closed down very quickly.

 

Felling were to win a penalty, as their number 9, was fouled just inside the box. After a period of treatment for their player, Felling spotted the ball and their number 10 converted the penalty low and to the left. Resendez guessed correctly but the ball just crept under his diving body. 1- 0 to Felling. The second half drew to a close soon after and a motivational team talk ensued from Messrs Rossiter and Smith.

 

Substitutes Harry Shelborn and Aaron Wilcock came on for the second half, and were kept busy from the whistle with some end- to- end action. High-footed challenge on Callum won a free kick for Leeds just inside Felling's half. Bellerby stepped up to take a long free kick that threatened but was forced out for a throw in.

 

The last five minutes saw a sustained period of Leeds pressure on the Felling goal. The final effort came from a Bellerby corner ball that although cleared to the outside of the box was volleyed back in by Callum Hamilton towards Scott Smith, who with his back to their keeper pressured but the keeper safely gathered the ball. Despite further pressure from another corner ball and an equaliser feeling increasingly likely, the final whistle was to sound to bring to and end a battling game. Leeds responding to their motivational half time talk, were the better team in the second half and were unlucky not to get the equaliser. The lacklustre first half performance from Leeds and a single penalty kick was to prove enough to seal the win for Felling.