Author: Joe Bookbinder

Men’s Hockey Leeds 3 – 2 York St. John Leeds

 

 

University Men’s Hockey 2nd team progressed to the quarter final of Northern Conference Cup after beating York St. John (YSJ) 3-2 in a close encounter that was decided by a golden goal. Henry Campbell scored twice including the winner from a short corner after Chris Debonair opened the scoring for the Gryphons.

 

Leeds started the brighter of the two teams, enjoying a greater share of the possession, while YSJ were finding it hard to get out of their own half. However, they did look dangerous on the break as a good chance to equalise went begging after a good save by Leeds goalie Vikram Jones.

 

Leeds opened the scoring midway through the first half Chris Debonair finished off a nice passage following a diagonal across the keeper’s face of goal. Debonair was on hand to apply a neat finish, as he steered it past the YSJ goalie. The first half ended with the Gryphons in front, thanks mainly to good defending after another YSJ break away led to a short corner following another good save from Jones. A well-marshalled defence cleared the resulting short corner off the line to maintain their lead. Leeds returned fire with a good chance of their own which was saved by the YSJ goalie as he smothered the shot.

 

YSJ started the second half the brighter team and their efforts were rewarded with the equaliser after a long ball down the right wing to the forward who dribbled through two Leeds players who finished the move with a quick turn and shot. YSJ then took the lead with seven minutes to go following a weaving run from YSJ’s influential central midfielder, who finished the move he started by prodding home from close range.

 

Time was running out for Leeds and it looked as though YSJ had done enough to secure the victory. However there was just enough time for an equaliser in the very last minute, as a scramble at the mouth of the goal resulted in a penalty to Leeds after a YSJ defender blocked a certain goal with his feet. Henry Campbell was on hand to dispatch the penalty high into the right hand corner to bring scores level. Campbell’s equaliser took the game into extra time, with a golden goal scenario.

 

Leeds, galvanised by the last minute penalty looked the better side as Campbell was again the scorer putting hand Leeds into the quarter final with a fine finish from a short corner.

Leeds will now play away to Leed Met in the quarter final on February 6