Leeds City Juniors U-14s 5
Cross Gates Lions U-14s 6

Date: Sunday, March 9

Competition: Garforth League U-14s Division 4

After having only nine players for their last match Cross Gates Lions were relieved to be able to field a full squad for the league tie against Leeds City Juniors, although goalkeeper Dominic Maskill was still out with an injury.

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In the first half Cross Gates Lions started with Michael Brown in goal for the first quarter followed by Alfie Leeds. Cross Gates started well putting Leeds City under pressure from the start, but despite several chances could not find the back of the net.

Alexander Elwen came closest when he received the ball just outside the six yard box only to hit the shot directly at the keeper. Mid way through the first half Leeds City demonstrated that missed chances count for nothing by seeing their first shot on goal go high above the reach of Alfie Leeds in goal to put them 1-0 up.

Cross Gates suddenly fell into disarray and Leeds City rapidly added another three goals.

Just prior to half time Alexander Elwen received the ball from a short corner on the left and floated in a cross to the far post which Josh Shaw headed into the Leeds City goal.

The first half ended 4-1 and it looked as if Cross Gates would rue the missed chances they had had at the beginning of the game.

Alexander Elwen donned the goal keeper shirt for the second half and Cross Gates again started positively. After five minutes Brett Rose pulled back a second goal. Alfie Leeds scored Cross Gates' third five minutes later and then added his second to level the scores at 4-4.

But Leeds City weren't going to let their lead slip away that easily and with ten minutes to go scored their fifth, a fine shot from twenty yards which Alexander Elwen managed to get a hand to but this was not enough to stop it going in.

It seemed as if Cross Gates' fight back had been in vain but Joe Bilbey pushing up from centre back pulled it back to 5-5 with a fine chip shot from the edge of the box.

One point would have been more than could have been hoped for but Cross Gates kept pushing for the winner and it came from the their other centre back, Simon Smith, scoring his first goal for the club with an excellent header.

A very exciting and entertaining match. Leeds City Juniors were unfortunate not to have anything to show for a great performance in particular their keeper who was responsible for keeping Cross Gates at bay in the first half and pulled off fine saves throughout the game.

Also, their number 2 at left back who very rarely put a foot wrong.

Cross Gates Lions U-14s: Michael Brown (goalkeeper first quarter) Alfie
Leeds (goalkeeper first quarter), Alexander Elwen (captain, goalkeeper second half), Martin Brown, Joe Bilbey, Alex Proctor, Simon Smith, Guy Hunter, Andrew Battye, Ashley Hullock, Josh Shaw, Brett Rose,

Goalscorers: Alfie Leeds 2, Josh Shaw 1, Brett Rose 1, Simon Smith 1, Joe Bilbey 1

Man-of-the-match: Alexander Elwen.