HULL 0 v 1 LEEDS 'A' - [Trans Pennine League] - 15th November
Leeds left the rainy environment of Rothwell for the sunny climes of Hull in good spirits and with a hint of anticipation for their first Carnegie Trans Pennine League fixture.
The game was played on the 3G surface at Hull University so a good football match was expected and this proved to be the case. The game was a scrappy affair to begin with however as both sides struggled for supremacy with a midfield tussle taking place. Leeds began to get on top with Daniel Sefton and Jordan Emery in imperious form in the heart of the Leeds defence and comfortably snuffing out the Hull forwards. There was always the threat of a breakaway despite Leeds having the bulk of possession and after a piercing through ball from Hull, two challenges were missed and the third challenge resulted in a free kick at the edge of the area. The resultant shot rebounded from the bar and players and spectators breathed a sigh of relief. Shortly afterwards a spell of Leeds pressure and a Ross Kershaw cross found 'The Fox In The Box' Scott Townend who hammered the ball home from 10 yards out.Leeds pressed on and a Townend cross fell to Kershaw who blasted home in delight only for the referee to rule that the ball had gone out of play before the cross and awarded a corner instead. The rest of the first half saw Leeds in control but wary of the ever dangerous Hull winger who gave our right flank a few scary moments.
The second half brought Jack Waters into he game and a beautiful ball from Lee Rowley sent him clear of the defence but unfortunately he struck it past the advancing keeper but wide of the goal. Had that gone in it would have been game over but instead it galvanised the Hull team who now were showing their 'Tigerish' streak. The effervescent left winger put a tantalising cross in but the Hull striker put it wide from 6 yards. The winger then burst through the Leeds ranks and struck a shot past the keeper Nick Myers but fortunately for Leeds it hit the post and came out. A period of sustained pressure followed but with Tom Elliott once again to the fore with his siege mentality, hard hat on and Kershaw, Emery and Sefton throwing everything into challenges Hull remained scoreless and Leeds took the points. Well done boys against a resolute Hull who will feel that their second half effort deserved at least a share of the spoils, but it wasn't to be. As in the previous week where Sheffield got a point they probably were fortunate to achieve, this week it was Leeds who had the Gods smiling on them.