Menston Rovers U-9s 2, Long Lee 1
Rovers started this fixture with only one point from their previous six matches, whereas Long Lee had 12 points playing one match more.
The pitch was heavy from the overnight rain and Rovers started with the advantage of the slope. After early exchanges Long Lee were threatening to overrun the midfield. Rovers were tending to push too many players forward leaving Heard and goalkeeper Daniel Ryan exposed.
Rovers rode their luck one time too many and Long Lee broke through to take the lead. Rovers made a fight of it. Bulcock was always looking dangerous making runs down the right and linking up with Ben Ryan in the midfield. It was this combination that created a chance for Bulcock who saw his shot clawed away by the keeper.
Moments later another through ball from Ben Ryan was drilled into the bottom corner by Bulcock and Rovers were back on equal terms. Barnes, Bullock and Hargreaves had wrestled the midfield back from Long Lee and suddenly the game became an equal contest. Daniel Ryan in goal made an incredible instinctive double save to ensure that the half- time score was 1-1.
The second-half started with Long Lee putting Rovers under pressure but Heard at the back was having an outstanding game, Strauss and Lawton were breaking down the Long Lee attacks and Brooke was becoming a commanding presence in the midfield.
Just when it looked like a draw would be the outcome Rovers created the match winning move. Ben Ryan, who had been involved in all the good moves, combined with Brooke to feed a pass through to Bulcock who outpaced the defence and confidently beat the keeper.
Rovers were now competing in every department and Long Lee were running out of ideas as well as time. Heard Bullock and Daniel Ryan fought valiantly to see their side home and Rovers got the 2-1 result that their play had deserved. Man-of-the-Match went to Brooke but praise went to the whole team for the excellent display.
Ilkley U-9s Ilkley Under-9s approached the half way point of the season on top of the league. After dropping a few points in the early games both the A and B team have hit top form with a run of six straight wins.
The teams have benefited from the introduction of new players such as Euan Collier, Connor Nelson and Daniel Hayes.
Training continues at 10 am on Saturday mornings at East Holmes field with 25 plus boys turning out each week. All of the boys involved have shown tremendous enthusiasm and continue to improve the quality of their football.
There is a lot to play for in the coming weeks. Crucial games include those against Knaresborough Celtic and Harrogate Railway in the New Year.
Next up are Pannel Ash at 10 am on Sunday at Ben Rhydding Sports Club.
Trojans U-10 Girls 3,Lepton Highlanders 2
Burley Trojans U-10 girls had an early start as they travelled to the far side of Huddersfield to play against Lepton Highlanders. This was always going to be a tough match as they were joint second in the league with Lepton.
Lepton played downhill in the first-half and being a strong, physical team caused the Burley defence of Hannah Spivey and Leah Millward some awkward moments whilst Bethany Tindall, Burley's goalkeeper, worked hard to keep Lepton at bay. Burley fought back well with some good passing and forced a corner.
Hannah Robinson floated a lovely ball into the box which was meet by Natasha Sunderland at the back post to put Burley into the lead. Burley kept up the pressure after the re-start with some hard tackling from Bethan Smith in midfield forcing a throw deep in the Lepton half.
Natasha Sunderland used her long throw to pick out Anna Ross who drove the ball into the back of the net putting Burley two up at the end of the first-half.
Lepton came out strong and hard in the second-half making life hard for Burley's midfield and then with a driving run from their centre-forward Lepton pulled one back. From the re-start Burley's substitutes Charlotte Keane and Jessica Parker linked up well to put the pressure back on Lepton. After several good chances from Burley Lepton finally succumbed to the pressure and conceded an own goal.
This did not put the fight out of Lepton who battled throughout the second-half finally forcing a second goal in the dying stages. All in all the game was a tough test for Burley but they showed their true strength and they worked hard to the end.
Trojans U-12 Girls 7,Glen Juniors 1
For the first time this season Burley U-12s had a full compliment of girls without having to rely on the U-11s. From having no team they now had the luxury of having three subs.
Burley wanted to play football and slick neat passing was the order of the day. Vicky Scott, Amy Creedon and Chloe Smithringale in midfield all played well, Chloe in particular won challenges and played the ball through to striker Becky Gill, who had a couple of early chances which went wide. Glen made a mockery of their league position and played some neat football themselves, putting Natasha Moorey and Katie Scott under pressure at the back, before forcing Chloe Dinsdale into a couple of good saves.
Becky Gill opened the scoring when a neat move down the right saw the ball played in by Chloe Smithringale for Becky to shoot past the keeper. It seemed that that was the catalyst for some exciting and attacking play from Burley but despite their pressure, Becky hitting the post twice, Vicky hitting the post, and both Amy and Chloe going clos; it seemed that they would approach half-time with just the one goal lead.
Having bemoaned their luck over recent weeks it seemed that it was going to continue but then the flood gates opened. Amy Creedon's goal bound shot was deflected infor 2-0 and then Becky got her second from a lovely flowing move involving, Katie, Chloe and Vicky.
After that on came Amy woods, Shannon Bennett and Rachel Burns, to massive applause on her debut for the club. All three were soon in the action, with Katie Scott moving into midfield and making run after run into the opposing box, which was rewarded with a fine individual goal. Amy Woods who was playing her best game for Burley also got onto the scoresheet for the first time, firing home from close range just before half-time for 5-0.
At the start of the second-half it was Glen who got the first and well-deserved goal. Glen never gave up and as Burley attacked they looked dangerous on the break, and if not for a magnificent diving one handed save from Chloe Dinsdale would have scored again.
Becky Gill came back onto the pitch and had time to notch up her first hat-trick of the season then for good measure scored her fourth and Burley's seventh shortly before the finish.
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