v Wigan 20th September

Wigan "A" v Leeds City Boys "A"

 

This was a real game of missed opportunities for Leeds and one which in all truth, Leeds should have had won long before half time.

 

Playing in the shadow of the JJB stadium in unusually hot temperatures for late September, more suited to the summer of 2008 which had failed to appear, the game got off to a nervous first few minutes with neither team seriously extending the other.

 

After that, Leeds undoubtedly had the better of the early exchanges. The ball was usually to be found in the Wigan half of the pitch, but the final ball through to pierce the Wigan defence was mostly lacking

 

When the Leeds goal came, it was a bit of a scrappy one. Wigan failed, despite a number of chances to do so, to clear the ball from their area. The ball squirted out right to Jack Carr who played in a cross from the right. Oscar Bailey got his head to the ball to direct it goalwards, and the ball was then helped in to the back of his own net by the Wigan defender attempting to head clear. No worries - it was one nil.

 

Leeds managed to carve out further opportunities for themselves. Grady Marshall was sent through on goal with a superb ball from midfield, but his effort shaved the post on the outside. Other opportunities for the Leeds strikers followed, but despite possession and chances, Leeds' strike-force were unable to add to their tally.

 

As they say in football, the opposition is at its most dangerous when they're one down, and Wigan certainly proved the old saying. The Wigan attack, which until the time of their goal, had seen virtually nothing of the ball, were suddenly level. To say this was against the run of play might be a little on the generous side. Nevertheless, the quality of the finish was there to be seen. The strong, impressive Wigan striker made no mistake with his finish to even out the scores.

 

Moments later, however, Leeds found themselves behind. Possession was lost needlessly in midfield and the ball was allowed to bounce over the heads of the Leeds defence and from then on, there was only going to be one winner. The Wigan centre forward showed great strength to hold off the Leeds defenders and to power home a shot from inside the box leaving Ross McKenna in goal, with little opportunity to save. Two chances Wigan and two goals scored!

 

Leeds continued to have the best of the possession. Lee Rowley worked hard in midfield. Jack Carr placed a great cross in from the right which cleared all and grazed the far post before going out for a corner. Grady Marshall, back to goal and having done well to create space, turned swiftly to fire in an excellent shot wide of the right hand upright. Maybe it was just one of those days.

 

Half time 1 - 2

 

The second half saw the introduction of the lively Ross Kershaw to the left of midfield and Ross Dickinson to help out with the onslaught. The results were the same.

 

Wave after wave of Leeds attack failed to produce an end result. When a looping cross was thrown into the box, the Wigan defender tried to head clear in Bramblesque fashion, but this escaped over the bar.

 

As the game marched to its conclusion, Oscar Bailey found himself running through on goal but was upended by a challenge from 2 onrushing Wigan defenders. Despite the challenge being of the type usually associated in these parts with the cherry and white hooped strip of the rugby league team located just a stones throw away from the pitch, the referee miraculously waved play on.  

Full time 1 - 2