In a week where several games were postponed due to the weather, here are the reports from the matches that did take place!
Men's sectionIn North Premier division, Leeds 1s entertained the league's bottom placed team Rotherham and won the match comfortably 3-0. Leeds dominated the match, making 43 circle penetrations compared to Rotherham's 6, so they will be slightly disappointed not to have scored more. 1st team debutant Brad Bates scored, with regulars Dean Edwards and Andy Rudd also grabbing goals to keep their places at the top of the team scoring chart.
Coach Lewis Butcher said “I’m pleased that we got the win as this match was a potential banana skin. With other results going our way in the league, we are now only 3 points off 2nd spot! I’m also delighted for Brad scoring on his debut.”
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After a poor result last week, Leeds 2s rallied to earn a point in a 1-1 draw in Yorkshire Div 1 away at Harrogate.
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Leeds 3s had their title hope dealt a blow following a disappointing 2 - 1 loss in a top of the table clash with Grimsby. Leeds opened brightly but failed to make the most of early chances and went into the break one down. Leeds conceded again in the opening minutes of the second half to give themselves real challenge to get themselves back in the game. Leeds started to pick their game up and showed good determination to get back to playing the hockey that has served them so well this season. The pressure paid off with an excellent run and shot from James Forrest getting Leeds a goal. The game opened up with good attacking play from both sides.
There was then a lengthy delay following an injury to a Grimsby player who has learnt the hard way the dangers of coming in from the wrong side and then Leeds turned up the pressure camping for long periods in Grimsby's final third of the pitch but could not manage to create a goal. Leeds were awarded a short corner at the final whistle and could only watch as Hugh Wood's excellent strike was turned around the post by the Grimsby keeper. Leeds remain second in the league and will look to bounce straight back from this with a difficult away game against Airedale next week. Man of the match was shared between Anthony Jeremy, James Forrest and Fletch.
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In Div 4, Leeds 4s made it 3 wins in a row with a first half demolition of Wakefield at their place. Skipper Taylor won the toss and somehow managed to select the slightly less frozen half of the pitch for Leeds to attack. This paid dividends as Jon Houldsworth, Tom Selby, and Duncan Rudd (twice) scored to give Leeds a 4-0 lead at half-time. Tim Newman then cooly slotted home another goal for Leeds almost straight from the restart, at which point the match looked safe. However the Wakefield fightback then started, as they got 2 goals back, both from generously awarded short corners.
Leeds had a slight wobble, but nerves were steadied when Ed Hardman supplied a pinpoint 35 yard pass for Alec Foxall to finish coolly through the keeper for the goal of the game. Final score 6-3 to Leeds. Man of the Match was Tom Selby.
Phil "Spongebob" Buckle was relieved that Paul Moriarty elected to play the entire match with his shorts on inside out, thus taking the heat off in the Dick of the Day voting.
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In Division 7, Leeds 5s produced a fine second half performance to beat Brigg 3-0 and keep up the pressure on their other promotion contenders. The visitors had much the better of the first half and had the ball in the Leeds' D on many occasions, but fortunately were unable to get any telling shots on target.
Leeds composed themselves at half time and came out a much stronger force after the break. The ball was recycled from left to right and being played around the front line majestically. Forwards Kallum Greenwood, Jim Parry and John Forecast did the honours with a goal each, but it was the improved team performance from the first half that stood out most.
New boys Forecast and Chris Chambers both played well, with John bagging the man of the match award. With the strength of our current squad, a return to second place and the automatic promotion spots next week is a distinct possibility.
------------------------ Leeds 6s lost away 1-2 to Bingley Bees in Div 8.
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In division 9, Leeds 7s lost to Brigg 4th team 3 goals to nil. This week there were 5 changes. A late arrival and a brief team talk caused poor co-ordination for the first 20 minutes. Brigg were able to get plenty of possession and pressured the Leeds defence. They forced 5 short corners. The first three were beaten out but the 4th was hit very hard past the keeper and the next was worked to an unmarked player to score. Leeds improved but could not create good shooting chances. Brigg scored again with a hard hit pass to the edge of the D and a quick shot to the far post. There was plenty of advice at half time about not bunching, better calling, more passing and using the right wing. This worked as Leeds turned on a powerful display, despite now playing into a low sun, and reversed the game totally. Unfortunately, unlike the turnround in October for at home win, Leeds could not score at all, despite plenty of short corners and half chances. The extremely talented keeper was very active in closing down shooting chances and Leeds once again displayed a lack of ability to get the hard shots in. Brigg hardly troubled the Leeds defence apart from a late saved shot.
------------------------ Women's sectionLeeds 2s were the only team in the women's section playing on Saturday. The team faced Tadcaster Magnets and were looking for a win. During the first half, Leeds were constantly attacking the Taddy D and were succesful as Hilary Owen scored her first goal for Leeds this season. At half time Leeds were in the lead and an unsettling second half saw Tadcaster scored to level the game. The game finished 1-1.
Special thanks to all the 1st team that came to support as their games were cancelled due to snow.
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