The University of Leeds Men’s Football 3rds lost out 3-0 to a strong Leeds Met side in a competitive encounter at Headingley Campus.
In dreary conditions the first half started ferociously; both teams clearly up for the occasion, the match beginning at a fast tempo. Gradually, Met began to unearth chances and resilient defending by Uni was required to keep the tie goalless.
However, after wasting a couple of good opportunities, a defensive mix-up midway through the half presented a Met striker with a path to goal and a good finish put them one up.
Uni were not ready to lie down though, and good pressure resulted in a few half-chances involving Brandon Anderson and George Nash. Uni were unfortunate not to equalise after a Met defender nearly scrambled an attempted clearance into his own net.
As the match moved towards half-time, good defensive work kept Met at bay as once again they started to create openings. The first booking of the match was shown to Uni shortly before the break and the resulting free kick was exquisitely converted from twenty-five yards; handing Met a two goal cushion at half time.
Met started the second half on the front foot and quickly created opportunities. Uni were fortunate not to find themselves three goals down soon after the restart as a one-on-one was closed down well by goalkeeper Ted Kinsella.
Uni slowly came back into the game and enjoyed promising spells. Good battling from Lewis Tinsley and Ollie Gold demonstrated that Uni were still in the contest and possession was held well in a game that was still being played at a fast pace.
There were now chances at either end and just moments after Uni had seen a shot go marginally wide, they found themselves 3-0 down after a strike from the edge of the area whistled into the bottom corner.
Uni provided a strong response and the match remained largely even with chances for both sides being snuffed out by equally good defending.
New energy was provided by the Uni substitutes, however the opposition defence couldn’t be broken down and the game finished 3-0 to Leeds Met.
After the game, Coach Julian Wilkes stated, “The players have worked hard during pre-season and a few elementary errors cost us the game today.”
“I’d like to congratulate Leeds Met on their victory.”
Peter White