Woodlesford Primary school ground, Leeds Leeds City Boys "A" 4 v 3 Felling
With a hard workout at training in mid-week and a 7-2 victory against the Leeds United Shadow Squad the previous evening under their belts, the Leeds City Boys "A" team entered this match with enthusiasm and optimism.
Our visitors from the North East were up for it. As the referee blew the whistle for the start of the game, there was a load cry of "Howay the lads", rallying their team to give maximum effort in the unexpected but welcome warm sunshine of early autumn.
It was a slow start from Leeds, who had the disadvantage of playing up the slope in the first half. Despite having a couple of early chances to take the lead, it was Felling who were the first to find the net. Worse was to follow just moments later when an intended clearance out of the Leeds defence struck an assisting Leeds defender, the ball then ballooning up to hand Felling the easiest second goal they could have hoped for. It was rough justice for Leeds who had been looking dangerous. Oscar Bailey had had a couple of half chances but had not been able to add to the two he had scored the previous evening at Thorp Arch. There had been some sterling work in defence from Daniel Sefton who must have been wondering how his team could be two nil down at that stage.
Leeds' luck was, however, about to change. As the match moved in to the second part of the first half, Leeds started to take control. The ball was played with more purpose and Todd Thackray and Jack Waters, working on the flanks, both found more time and space to play their natural game, causing problems for the Felling defence. Ultimately, this gave Leeds' Scott Townend the space he needed to slide home his side's richly deserved first goal at the back post, to bring Leeds closer to the opposition.
Half time 1-2
With the benefit of the slope in the second half, Leeds knew they could get themselves back in to the game. The defence of Felling were, however, no pushovers and their central defence worked hard to keep Leeds out.
As Michael O'Donoughue and Cody Cromack started to boss the midfield, Ross Dickinson was handed two opportunities in as many minutes to put Leeds in the lead. He made no mistake with either chance slamming the first into the net and pushing Leeds in front for the first time in the game.
Some confusion in the Felling defence only moments after his second goal almost left Ross celebrating his new haircut with a hat-trick, but he was unable to capitalise on the opportunity.
After so much hard work, a failure to clear the ball cleanly out of defence gifted the chance to Felling who were happy to accept the goal scoring chance at the back post to make it 3-3. Crook, in goal, had no chance to deal with the shot.
With just 2 minutes of the game left, Grady Marshall found himself in space in the Felling box and coolly slotted the ball home for the well deserved winner.