On a cloudy, bitterly cold afternoon at Weetwood this Wednesday, Leeds Men’s Football 2nd XI turned in an excellent display to comprehensively defeat York St Johns 7-2, with Mike Stockdale and Chris Jackson both scoring hat-tricks. They completely dominated the game, and scored a mixture of scintillating individual goals, and well-worked team efforts.

 

Despite a cagey start to the match, it was clear from the off that LU were in confident mood, and they slowly took control. The wingers in particular looked lively, and one excellent cross really should have lead to a goal. However, the on-rushing play could only balloon his shot over the bar. No matter, for just before half-time Leeds hit their opponents with a quick-fire double.

 

First, after good play down the right hand side, the ball was cut back to a lurking Mike Stockdale, who buried his chance with aplomb, into the roof of the net. Then it was two with a fizzing, dipping ball in from the right leading to an almighty scramble at the near post, and that man Stockdale again turning away in celebration, although with suggestions the last touch came off a York player. However, there was some cause for concern as York immediately reduced the defecit, with a good move leading to a slammed finish from inside the 6-yard box.

 

If there were fears at half time this goal would demoralise the home team, they were put to bed soon after. A sweeping ball out wide from Stockdale lead to a winger beating his man and getting a shot away. Although the goalie parried, it was only as far as the man who had started the move; Stockdale was following up and gleefully buried the chance to claim a well-deserved hat-trick. Soon after came a fourth, when a brilliant free kick across the face of goal from Jonny Meldram lead to striker Chris Jackson stooping to flick a header into the far corner of the net, an assured finish. The goals kept on coming, with Jackson netting his second on the hour mark. A tantilising ball in from winger Jamie Whiteford (superb all afternoon) lead to Jackson planting a simple header low past the goalie.

 

The striker was now searching for his third, and did not have long to wait. After a long ball up to him and some pinball around the penalty area, he took an assured touch before firing past the hapless York goalkeeper. It was soon seven, when on 75 minutes Lusungu Ndovia, the substitute forward, showed excellent persistence in tackling a defender, and watched as the ball rolled slowly and comically into the goal. Although York did pull a goal back a few minutes before the end, it was a professional and ruthless performance from LU, with some exhilarating bits of play, which will stand them in good stead against much tougher opponents.

 

The Men’s 4th XI won 4-3 on penalties against Leeds Trinity after a 1-1 draw after extra time. Isaac Crown was the goalscorer Elsewhere, the Women’s Football 1st XI continued their impressive run of form, beating Nottingham Trent 2-1 in the BUCs Trophy. Meanwhile, the Women’s 3rd XI put in a solid performance to beat Bradford 1-0.

 

Author: Euan Cunningham