22/02/2013
Euan Cunningham at Weetwood
Men’s 1st XI 4 – 1 Newcastle
Several accomplished individual performances, allied to some outstanding team play, saw Leeds Football 1sts run out convincing winners against Newcastle at Weetwood on Wednesday. Uni had the game under control at all points, quickly showing their superiority in the first half before a disciplined, calm showing in the 2nd.
Leeds dominated from the off, and were rewarded for their lightning start with an early goal after a mere 6 minutes. After some well-worked build up play, the ball fell to midfielder Owen Davies just outside the box. After turning away from a defender, he rifled in a shot that skimmed off the surface and into the far corner, past the flailing goalkeepers dive. Soon the lead was doubled, and in some style too. A drilled crossfield ball from left to right found the onrushing Sam Smedley, whose touch and control was expert. Bearing down on goal, another assured touch saw him place the ball high into the net for a deserved 2-0 lead.
The astonishingly good start did not end there either. Danny Cunningham had been instrumental in the game so far, and he used his skill to work a shooting position on the left-hand side of the 18 yard box. Although his scuffed shot was tamely heading wide, striker Josh Walker showed his poaching qualities, swooping down on the loose ball to tap home. The good football continued through to the break, with Leeds carving Newcastle apart on several occasions but just unable to apply that finishing touch.
Newcastle were improved in the 2nd half, and they reduced the arrears after 50 minutes, a cruelly deflected low shot that goalkeeper Charlie Tizzard could do nothing about as it left him stranded. Despite this early boost, a fightback of any consequence never came, and soon Leeds were creating chances once more, Cunningham in particular unlucky to see 2 shots narrowly wide. At the back, Alex Day was in imperious form, calmly snuffing out any Newcastle raids. The pressure eventually told after another slick move with 20 minutes left to play. A perfectly weighted though ball sent Cunningham one on one with the last defender, and although the latter managed a partial clearance, the ball only rolled gently into the path of Davies. Without pausing for thought or to take a touch, the midfield general produced a scorching, thumped drive into the bottom corner that beat the keeper before he had the chance to move. It was an outstanding finish and easily the goal of the game.
Although there were chances at either end in the last 10 minutes, the scoreline stayed at a very convincing 4-1. Although it may not be enough to propel Leeds up the table and into the reckoning for promotion, this was a performance of high quality and some tremendous skill from 11 determined players.