Saturday, 31st v South Notts

Leeds welcomed back Will Lenehan for the match against South Nottingham.Leeds kicked off on a bright but windy morning.(It's always windy on a Saturday morning) Leeds were first on the attack and forced a throw in. The ball came out to Will Lenehen whose shot went wide of the post.South Nottingham were struggling to get out of their own half as Leeds kept up the
early pressure. A goal mouth scramble in the South Nottingham penalty area was cleared as Leeds pushed on for the first goal of the game. A good ball from Jameel Ible found  Stephen Blower whose pass to Daniel Coates saw his
shot well saved by the South Nottingham goal keeper.Leeds attacked again down the left hand side of the field and a shot from Will Lenehan went across the face of the goal and a touch would have opened the scoring.

South Nottingham launched their first attack and took the lead against the run of play. A good through ball found its way passed the Leeds defence and the South Nottingham striker took one touch and fired the ball into the corner of the goal. 1-0 to the visitors. South Nottingham were now starting to gain confidence and another through ball saw a last ditch tackle in the
penalty area by Freddie Swales clear the ball away. Leeds were losing the plot as South Nottinham were getting more into the game and staring to cause problems for Leeds. Harrison McPhee to Daniel Coates to Will Lenehan back to Daniel Coates and finally to Billy Law saw Leeds play their best football but the South Nottingham defence hled out. Leeds won a free kick 25 yards out only for Luke Jones to fire the ball over the crossbar. Play was now end to end with neither side dominating the game. Leeds won a corner which was cleared as the half time whistle blew.

A disappointing half for Leeds who started well but seemed to lose their way as the game went on.

Half time Leeds 0 South Nottingham 1

Leeds replaced Daniel Coates and Glen Hewitt with Nathan Valentine and Shaun Cundall. South Nottingham were first on the attack and good defending twice by Luke Jones saved the day for Leeds. Leeds attacked and a move involving Freddie Swales, Luke Jones and finally Ollie Roberts saw the ball blocked on the South Nottingham line. Good play again by Freddie Swales, Shaun Cundall, Nathan Valentine and Luke Jones could not find the back of the net as Leeds pushed forward for the equaliser. Leeds again on the attack as the forced two corners only to be thwarted by the South Nottingham defence. Good
passing between Billy Law and Ollie Roberts earned Leeds a throw in. A free kick followed the throw in and Leeds finally got the goal they were after.Ollie Roberts took the kick from out on the touch line. The ball beat everybody including the South Nottingham keeper to roll over the line. The South Nottingham keeper thought he had been fouled but the referee ruled he
had not. 1-1 and all to play for.

Leeds responded by attacking again and nearly made it 2-1. Freddie Swales to Shaun Cundall who found Nathan Valentine. Nathan hit a curling shot which hit the post and bounced out only to be cleared by the South Nottingham defence. Leeds were now getting on top again but when South Nottingham attacked they looked dangerous especially when playing the ball over the top. Leeds won a throw in inside their own half. They lost the ball and a South Nottingham player kicked the ball over the top of the Leeds defence. The ball bounced over Leeds keeper Ashley Timms and a timely run by Freddie Swales headed the ball out for a corner. Ashley and Freddie collided with Ashley coming off worse and having to have treatment on an injured knee. The game was now goingh from one end to the other as both sides went for the second goal. The final ball for both sides was not good as both defences were on top and not givinganything away.Leeds pushed for the winning goal
and good play from Freddie Swales, Shaun Cundall found Will Lenehan. Good play from Will saw him weave about before passing th  ball to Billy Law who took one touch and fired the ball into the corner of the South Nottingham net. 2-1 to Leeds.

Leeds won a free kick which was wasted as the final whistle went.

A good win for Leeds after their disappointment the previous week. The win will lift their spirits as they head off on the tour of Durham to play four games in as a many days. Not even the professionals play that many games over four days.

Final score Leeds 2 South Nottingham 1

U13 v Newcastle – Centenary Cup Saturday 24^th March

Leeds travelled north to Newcastle to play a part in the Centenary Shield.
Leeds started with Jameel Ible in midfield rather than in the back four.
Leeds kicked off but were soon under pressure as Newcastle attacked. Leeds
defended well and went down to the Newcastle goal and forced a corner. A
good cross from Ollie Roberts found the head of Jameel Ible who headed the
ball goalwards. The ball came off the defender after Jameel had headed it
goalwards and the defender on the line could only head the ball into the
net. 1-0 to Leeds. A great start for the Leeds. Newcastle responded. Leeds
forced another corner and Newcastle cleared the ball upfield. A good through
ball caught the Leeds defence square and the Newcastle player slotted the
ball home. 1-1. with only 5 minutes gone. Newcastle came forward again and a
good block by Luke Jones saved the day for Leeds. Newcastle were now
begining to play good football and test the Leeds defence. A good attack saw
the ball just go over the Leeds crossbar. Leeds were losing a lot of ball
and were not winning the 50/50's. Newcastle should have increased their lead
as a free kick was sent into the Leeds penalty area. After a scamble the
ball was going goalwards but the Leeds keeper Ashely Timms stuck out a leg
and divert the ball away. Leeds were struggling to clear their own half and
from the next Newcastle attack saw them take the lead. The Leeds defence
failed to clear the ball and it was slotted home to give the hosts a 2-1
lead

Leeds won a free kick and Stephen Blower found Nathan Valentine who in turn
found Shaun Cundall whoise shot was saved by the Newcastle goalkeeper. Leeds
won a free kick 30yards out and the ball was hit well by Luke Jones but was
easily saved by the Newcastle goalkeeper. Leeds were finding the way back
into the game but too many passes were not finding their intended targets.
The Leeds back four were being caught at times by the long ball. Newcastle
were targeting Glen Hewitt on the right hand side but his fellow defenders,
Freddie Swales, Stephen Blower and Luke Jones all covered across to help.
Leeds attacked and a good shot by Shaun Cundall was well saved by the
Newcastle goalkeeper who dived to his left and forced the ball wide. Leeds
won a free kick which was taken by Luke Jones. His pass found Shaun Cundall
who then found Nathen Valentine who then found Jameel Ible whose shot was
saved by the Newcastle goalkeeper.A disappointing half by Leeds who were
second best to some balls and whose passing was not as good as it should be.
Half time Newcastle 2 Leeds 1.

Leeds replaced Nathan Valentine with Harrison McPhee and James Crowther took
over in goal from Ashley Timms. Leeds were first on the attack which came to
nothing and Newcastle responded by attacking as wel.l On their next attack
Newcastle put the ball into the net only to have it ruled out for offside.
Another let off for Leeds who needed to score first to get back into the
game. From a Leeds goalkick Newcastle won the ball and agood cross in from
the wing was headed wide from 3 yards out when it seemed easier to score.
Another let for Leeds who now surged forward and after winning 2 throw ins
won a corner kick.A short corner from Harrison McPhee to Glen Hewitt was
crossed into the penalty area only for Jameel Ible to head wide. Better play
by Leeds who were starting to get back into the game. Leeds produced the
move of the match next when Luke Jones headed the ball out of defence. His
header found Harrison McPhee who found Daniel Coates and his pass to Glen
Hewitt saw the ball go out wide. Billy Law picked up the ball from Glens
pass and Harrison McPhee was on hand to take the pass from Billy Law. Good
defending from Newcastle stopped the move which had gone nearly the length
of the field. Leeds won a free kick which was wasted as Newcastle were
staring to look second best at times.

Both side exchanged free kicks before a move down the right hand side from
Leeds involving Harrison McPhee, Glen Hewitt and Billy Law saw the Newcastle
keeper make a good save. Shaun Cundall had a shot saved and Luke Jones had
free kick from 30 yards out saved as well. From the next attack Newcastle
increased their lead. A good break down the right hand side saw the
Newcastle player beat a defender and fire a cross into the penalty area. A
mix up between two Leeds defenders saw the ball fall to a Newcastle player
who slotted the ball home. 3-1 which was cruel to Leeds who looked like they
were getting back into the game. Leeds replaced Stephen Blower with Nathan
Valentine and won a free kick which again was wasted. Newcastle mounted one
last attack and the ball was not cleared. The ball fell to a Newcastle
player who hit a shoot which the Leeds keeper James Crowther thought was
going wide only to see the ball hit the inside of the post and roll over the
line.  4-1 to Newcastle.

A frustrating game for Leeds who were started slowly before coming back into
the game but could not score that vital second goal. Newcastle played well
and fully deserved their win, but perhaps 4-1 flattered them a bit.

Final score Newcastle 4 Leeds 1.