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FRIENDLY MATCH
BRIDGE STREET UNITED 2-1 LRBC
PROMISE SHOWN IN NARROW DEFEAT
After all the talking it was time for LRBC to face their first real test. Although a pre-season game, Bridge Street was always going to be a great opportunity for LRBC to gauge themselves for the coming season. And, so it proved.
LRBC started the game with a familiar line-up, although notable absentees were skipper Gareth Carey Jones, Steve Robinson, and Mike Philpott. The latter still on course to make the new season, after a miraculous recovery to an initially diagnosed broken metatarsal! Although, last years tendency to start games slowly was not completely forgotten, LRBC refused to be outfought by their more experienced local rivals. Luke Walsh and Joe Wilson refused to lie down in centre midfield and the defence coped effectively with most of Bridge Streets attacks. Bridge Street were keeping more of the ball but were not creating many clear chances until mid way through the first half when a shot looked to be heading for the bottom corner only for Anthony Thorpe to show cat like agility to get down low to pull off an incredible save. The goal eventually came when a header on the edge of the 6 yard box trickled over the line after a valiant attempt again by Thorpe. It was by no means one-way traffic though and LRBC created good chances themselves, through Jonathan Parkinson and Ed Jackson. Jackson probably should have done better after he surged into the penalty area after pick-pocketing the Bridge Street left back, only for the full back to get back to make an excellent tackle in the penalty area. So 1-0 it was at half time, with LRBC facing up the slope for the second half the odds were against them.
The half time team talk focussed on LRBCs need to keep battling and to up the intensity and with four fresh faces for the second half, the team came out determined to get something out of the match.
Bridge Street took an early control of the second half until LRBC started to get into the ascendancy. Tim Parkinson, returning to the fold after a long absence, started to provide good delivery from the right while James MacDonnell, a half time sub, brought new energy and enthusiasm up front. Jonathan Parkinson and Jez Jarvis began to combine well down the left and LRBC against the odds began to create chances. Willed on by vocal support, LRBC eventually got the break they deserved. A deft one-two between Jackson and McDonnell on the left of the penalty area put Jackson in to dink the ball over the advancing keeper.
LRBC continued to look for the winner, urged on by the cries of Wilson and Walsh in midfield, they tried to pass the ball rather than just knock it long. The game, though, appeared to be heading for a draw, until with 6 minutes to go LRBC went to sleep at a Bridge corner giving the winger ample time to pick out a team mate with a cross to head home. Although undeserved it emphasised the need to concentrate for the full 90 minutes and it�s a lesson learned for LRBC.
Bridge Street missed a penalty also, after Duncan Brownnutt brought down their striker in the area, but really further goals would have been harsh. The Leeds defence of Brownnutt, Kyle Harrington, Jarvis and Simon Thompson had battled hard and stuck to the task well in the second half and had restricted Bridge Street to just a handful of chances.
So a defeat, but still a lot to take heart from. If Leeds can work on getting tighter to the opposition players when defending and work on keeping the ball when in possession then their will be plenty of favourable results this season.
LRBC Team: A Thorpe, K Harrington, C Murgatroyd (J Jarvis 45), D Brownnutt, T Thomson (S Thomson 45), M Fisher (T Parkinson 45), L Walsh, J Wilson, D Turner (J McDonell 45), J Parkinson, E Jackson.
LRBC Goalscorer: E Jackson.