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LEAGUE
LRBC 2-2 ST JOHN'S BOWLING EAGLES
LRBC DEFY THE ODDS
Ed Jackson reports
LRBC completed their daunting start to the season with a home game against league leaders St Johns. History pointed to a convincing victory for St Johns who had enjoyed the upper hand over the last few seasons. However, buoyed by some recent battling performances there was plenty of reason to believe that this Leeds outfit would not simply roll over.
The game started with St Johns wrestling control and Leeds struggling to hold on to the ball effectively. There was no doubting the commitment of the home players but they lacked that bit of quality in possession that the top teams have. In particular the St Johns no.10 was finding acres of space down the right and returning vice captain Jarvis had his work cut out trying to cope with the threat.
Leeds attacks were sporadic and they could only muster a couple of long range efforts that didn�t trouble the keeper. It was therefore slightly against the run of play that Leeds took the lead. A long throw in by Jackson was not cleared effectively and fell to Anthony Thorpe on the edge of the area. Needing little invitation Thorpe showed again what a crisp striker of the ball he is and rifled it into the bottom left corner, giving the keeper no chance.
The battle continued as Leeds worked hard to close space and limit the St Johns players time on the ball. The league leaders though were turning the screw and after some sustained pressure, and a number of corners, a cross from the left bobbled in the 6 yard box. As the Leeds defence failed to take control and clear the ball it fell invitingly to a St Johns player who couldn�t miss.
The game looked like it was heading for a draw at half time when Jonny Hoy was adjudged to have brought down the bearded St Johns striker. A penalty was awarded and calmly slotted home. Leeds were 2-1 down at half time, and facing a struggle to get back in the game.
Leeds set about the second half with fresh enthusiasm and started to enjoy more success. While St Johns continued to pose a threat, Thompson and Hoy in the centre of the defence were repelling all that came their way. Down the Leeds flanks Philpott and Thorpe were seeing more of the ball and proving to be an increased threat. A little more quality on the crosses may have created clearer opportunities.
Mid way through the second half Leeds had a great chance to equalise when an exquisite pass from Philpott put Jackson in the clear. With the pace to get past the final defender Jackson�s final shot did not have the angle to get past the keeper who saved with his foot.
The equaliser though soon followed when Joe Wilson, putting in a powerhouse performance, burst into the penalty area a rifled an unstoppable shot past the despairing keeper. It was a great strike and Leeds will be hoping that Wilson can continue in this form.
The game seemed to be swinging towards the home team and their cause was helped when the St Johns keeper had to be replaced after a collision with Parkinson. The replacement keeper was himself replaced later by the left winger who after suffering a bloody nose, went down with cramp and decided that the only safe place was to go in goal! A slightly strange move which could have back fired if Leeds had been able to get some shots fired in.
Unfortunately for the Leeds team they could not get hold of the ball to test the new keeper. The best chance they created falling to Parkinson, put through by his strike partner, but the veteran striker could not get his shot on target.
St Johns had their chances to win the game as well, and a lovely ball from their playmaking centre midfielder found their substitute striker in space but he could only find the side netting. The game though finished 2-2, with Leeds proving once again that this season they are a force to be reckoned with.
Special mention to our in-house MOTM Jonny Hoy who was excellent at centre half and showed some delightful touches bringing the ball out of defence also. The whole team though battled hard to match their opponents and once again it showed that this team are at their best when they are prepared to compete in every area of the pitch. It�s now time to back up these performances against teams in the lower half of the table, which will be the real test.
LRBC Team: M Frater, S Thomson (N Karimi 80), J Jarvis, J Hoy, T Thomson, S Robinson, A Thorpe, J Wilson, E Jackson, J Parkinson, M Philpott (A Amindoust 80).
LRBC Goals: A Thorpe, J Wilson
LRBC Man of the Match: A Thorpe