Return to winning ways for Men’s 1sts

University of Leeds 4ths 0 – 3 Halifax 1sts

Scorers : Bamforth (2), Graham P

The Men’s 1st X1 got back into winning ways with a good team performance against Leeds Uni on Saturday

Without star striker Matthew Graham (sprained ankle), Johnny Sutcliffe (twisted knee) and influential defender Michael Jones (broken toe), the team were glad to welcome back Leigh Walker and Richard Marshall to shore up the defence.

Paul Graham was pushed into a holding midfield role in front of the defence with David Wheatley given a marking job at the heart of the back 4. This seemed to work perfectly as Leeds were restricted to only 1 shot on target in the 1st half, and not many more in the 2nd.

Halifax however, missed several good chances in the 1st period with Jake Bamforth, Matthew Bairstow and Tom Love all being foiled by an inspired Leeds keeper and some misplaced shots. 0-0 at half time was not a fair reflection of the play and the team talk message was to be patient and show some composure in front of goal.

Good movement from Bamforth and Kristian Mayland at the beginning of the second half allowed the improving midfield of Love, Josh Sutcliffe and Sam Spencer to create telling passes but still the chances came and went.

Bamforth however, eventually broke the deadlock midway through the half when he showed good composure to draw the ball away from the keeper before flicking into the roof of the net. Shortly after and Halifax had a deserved second, veteran Graham showed the youngsters how to score firing in a solid shot from the top of the D after picking up a loose pass from a Leeds defender.

Mayland then went close yet again, before Bamforth score his second and the teams 3rd with a deft deflection which wrong footed the Leeds keeper.

Excellent defensive play at the back by Josh Foreman, Leigh Walker and Wheatley made sure Leeds could not mount a fightback and the team were happy with a 3-0 win. Keeper Matthew Metcalfe in particular very content with a 1st clean sheet of the season in goal.

The lads maintained possession better in this game and must continue with this type of game if they are to make any push for promotion.

Next week it is a top of the table battle with York at Park Lane who have only lost 1 game this season.