Yorkshire Amateur League Division 1 – Saturday 10th November 2018
Full-time: Idle FC 3 – 0 Thornesians AFC
Goals: J. Strudwick (x2), L. Cookson
MOTM: J. Strudwick
Idle hosted Thornesians AFC firsts at fortress Sutton Avenue this week as league action resumed following several consecutive cup fixtures. It was a good opportunity for Idle to put pressure on the teams at the top of the Division 1 and build on the previous week’s 5-1 victory over Championship side, Beeston St. Anthony’s.
Idle started like a proverbial house on fire with quick, passing football that caught Thornesians a little cold if not completely off the pace.
The Thornesians defence was torn to ribbons by Idle’s counter-attacking football. Adam Medley’s pace and trickery down the left baffled the right-back for most of the game. Jack Strudwick pulled the strings from centre attacking midfield and Tom Simonett’s interplay up-front was delightful.
It was J. Strudwick who opened the scoring, once again catching the Thornesians defence flat footed and allowing the Idle man to break the offside trap with ease and slot calmly past the goalkeeper. 1-0.
The Idle attacking pressure was building throughout the first half half and it was centre back, Lee Cookson that doubled Idle’s lead with a controlled finish just inside the box following a corner which Thornesians failed to clear.
Idle were certainly in full flow and playing with confidence. Simonett then showed some terrific footwork in the box to sell two defenders an outrageous dummy before being brought down by one of the two floundering Thornesians defenders. The referee didn’t hesitate and pointed straight to the spot. It was J. Strudwick again who stepped up and slotted home. 3-0 and the half-time whistle arrived.
Idle were very much on top with Thornesians not offering a lot to trouble the Idle defence.
Today’s Man of the Match award, sponsored by The Playmaker goes to Jack Strudwick.
Thornesians did you their game in the second half and looked to put the idle defence under a bit more pressure. However, it was a faultless display from the back four with Marcus Strudwick, Luke Gray, Conor Halligan and Lee Cookson looking unbeatable all game.
M. Strudwick had another classic moment of head-loss, probably one that rivals last season meltdown at Leeds Medics… Running to the edge of his box to shout at the referee “You’re killing me ref! You’re absolutely killing me!” It’s only a corner fella, just get on with the game eh?
Truth be told, the second half was a bit of a non-event, not including Luke Chandler bullying the “rubbish” opposition players. Thornesians didn’t really make any chances of note and Idle defended resolutely against persistent long-ball tactics whilst proving a bit wasteful up top.
Overall, the lads out in a solid display, playing out the game with the score remaining 3-0 at full-time. And thus securing another important three points for the League campaign!
By Jamie Allen
The Playmaker 
Posted on November 15, 2018
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