Luke Harrison
Hasen Retha	Luke McGurn			Ethan Mahmoudi		Ayden Ward
James Underwood	Lachlan Quirke			Lucas Hebditch		Keon Williams
		Joe Potter
		Tom Coxon

Seacroft unrecognisable from the opposition last year in two very tight wins with half their squad going to Whinmoor on the eve of the season and replaced with players who are in their first season, which puts some context on the game. Some of the new lads are big and strong but are learning their positions on the pitch.

A tight first five minutes when the game was even as Leeds started playing up the slope. First real attack resulted in Keon shooting at the keeper, then from a corner the ball fell to Lucas and he smashed it high into the net. Leeds had Seacroft on the ropes and a cross was handled as a defender challenged for the ball with his flailing arms above his head, Joe put the resulting penalty under the goal keeper who was dropping to the ground in instalments. Keon steered another chance in the box into the net to make it three nil again as a result of persistent pressure from the entire team. The build up play was working well with James U getting free on the right and to cross into the middle of goal for Joe to meet first time on the half volley and loop the ball over the keeper for four nil. James U got in on the goalscoring act with a smartly taken shot in the box. Although not scoring in the last ten minutes of the half the chances came and went with Hasen, Luke McG and Lucas all having shots from inside of the box. Towards the end of the half the lads started to overplay and not get the ball out of their feet and passed on to a man in space.

Now playing down the hill and the lads could dominate possession even more but did it by playing the ball down the channels (between the full backs and centre backs) or out wide to involve James and Keon. Tom’s pace really told as did his goal scoring instincts, put through in the thirty fourth minute he calmly placed his shot around the keeper and inside the post, a classic Tom goal. Five minutes later and the moment we’ve been waiting three seasons for, the ball falls at the feet of Luke McG in the box facing goal for him to lash into the net, even the ref wanted to punch the air. Next up Lachlan (man of the match) received the ball on the edge of the box and hits a low shot into the bottom corner passed the now disheartened keeper to make it 8-0, Lachlan coolly turns on his heel and walks back for the restart, although seen still smiling even when miss controlling a ball a few minutes later. James got his second inside the box stabbing home a great cross from Keon. Tom played through again one on one with the keeper and once again the ball ends in the same bottom corner and the keeper on his back. Final minute and Keon tries a chip from just inside the box, it hits the post then the keeper and then Tom pounces ahead of Joe to prod the ball over the line. Ethan had a great game at centre back as it wasn’t all one way traffic coming up with some timely interceptions and the ability to pass to a Leeds shirt and start a counter attack. Unfortunately Tom’s hat trick goal came too late and Ethan had a heady ten seconds at centre forward before the final whistle went. Along with Ethan, Ayden made sure the opportunities for Seacroft were limited not just his tackling but his positional play so that he spotted any danger early and could snuff it out. Luke in goal made a tremendous save diving in mid air to push a shot across him away from goal and keep a well deserved clean sheet.

A mature and clever performance by all eleven players who stuck to their principles, won possession by being strong and determined, passed and moved until the opposition were bewildered. Unchartered terratory now a Quarter Final.

 

Saturday - training at Bedquilts 10am to 12 noon, an important session ahead of the game on Sunday.

 

Sunday - Please arrive for 9.45am for a 10.30am kick off, Bedquilts Pitch 7. League match vs Colton Juniors.

The team will be Luke Harrison, Hasen Retha, Luke Shillito, Ethan Mahmoudi, Ayden Ward, Lachlan Quirke, Lucas Hebditch, James Underwood, Keon Williams, Joe Potter, Tom Coxon and Dan McFarlane.

 

Fixtures

Updates in Green since last issue.

6th February - HOME vs Colton Juniors.

13th February - Away vs Rothwell Town.

20th February - Away vs Garforth Villa.

27th February - possible day for a re-arranged match.

6th March - HOME vs Colton Juniors, Supplementary Cup Quarter Final, 12.15 kick off on Adel B.

13th March - designated Supplementary Cup match day.

20th March - HOME vs Ossett Town - 10.30am kick off on Pitch 7.

27th March - possible day for a re-arranged match.

3rd April - HOME vs Rothwell Town - 10.30am kick off on Pitch 4.

10th April - Away vs Castleford Town.

17th April - HOME vs Churwell Lions - 10.30am kick off on Pitch 7.

24th April - possible day for a re-arranged match.

1st May - possible day for a re-arranged match.

8th May - HOME vs Farsley Celtic. 10.30am kick off on Pitch 7.

15th May - possible day for a re-arranged match.

 

To be arranged

HOME vs Castleford Town.

HOME vs Garforth Villa.

 

 

Regards

 

Richard