Yorkshire Amateur League Division 1 – Monday 30th April 2018
Full-time: Idle FC 0 – 1 Leeds City Old Boys
MOTM: C. Halligan
Monday was the biggest game of the season so far as Idle welcomed Leeds City Old Boys to Goals Bradford! Leeds had won 9 on the bounce coming into the match and could still win the Division 1 title should they win their remaining games. Idle needed the victory to keep their own title hopes alive too with two wins from their final two games propelling them to the top of the league. It was a massive game for both teams!
Idle began the game on the back with Leeds taking the initiative early on, using the flanks to build attacks and then set-pieces to put the Idle defence under pressure. The Leeds centre-back was winning everything when he came forward and proved a major problem for the Idle lads with several long throws and corner kicks landing with pin-point accuracy on his head.
However, the Idle defence did relatively well, restricting Leeds to long range shots and set-pieces and attempting to counter-attack at pace. It was Leeds who broke the deadlock though, after the forward found himself in space on the right-wing, nutmegging Lee Cookson and then, with a bit of luck managed to keep hold of the ball after it deflected off Jamie Allen. He then squared the ball to the midfielder who stroked home from inside the box.
0-1 to the visitors.
Despite the disappointment of going a goal down, Idle managed to remain calm and continued to play football. The constant pressure from the Leeds City lads made it incredibly difficult and it was clear they were all up for the fight in this match!
Idle’s attacks were breaking down too easily and when they did break through, the keeper was on hand to keep out any goal-bound efforts.
Half-time came with the score still at 0-1.
The next 45 minutes would prove pivotal in the seasons of both sides. Idle began to build some more attacks in the second half and found a few more opportunities in behind the Leeds defence. Once again the keeper was on-hand to keep out Ryan Mitchell this time with a solid save from close range. Tom Simonett was pushing forward from midfield and trying to cause the Leeds defence problems too.
Meanwhile, the defence remained relatively solid, limiting Leeds to shots from distance. Stephen Kelsey, on his return to the team in the Idle goal had one, close range shot to save all half and save it he did with a strong foot.
Idle kept up the pressure and tried to play football with Adam Medley running at the Leeds right-back and delivering the ball into the box. However, the Leeds defence remained solid for the majority of the game with the captain proving the stand-out player at the heart of their defence.
Idle’s attacks were proving fruitless with crossed not quite finding their target in the box and Leeds pressing well all over the pitch. As the seconds ticked down, the situation was getting more and more desperate for Idle who just couldn’t get back to level terms.
The seconds ticked down and chances came and went and after 90 minutes the referee blew the full-time whistle with the score remaining 0-1 to the visitors.
Idle had missed their chance to close the gap on Ealandians Reserves at the top of Division 1 with Leeds extending their winning streak to 10 games and gunning for the title themselves. It was certainly a close game and all credit must go to the Leeds lads who’s attitude was spot on from the first minute to the last. They pressed Idle all game, defended solidly for the duration and deserved the 3 points.
There were certainly some choice words between the Idle lads in the changing rooms after the game and it was certainly a disappointing result on the back of a bad run of losses. There’ still an outside chance of promotion going into the final game of the season if other results go Idle’s way, so there’s still something to play for!
Let’s have it against Collegians! We go again.
By Jamie Allen
The Playmaker 
Posted on May 2, 2018
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