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Match report: Kellingley v Old Headingley
Hot on the heels of a confidence boosting midweek away win, Old Headingley travelled to Kellingley looking to build on their recent success.
Kellingley 4
Old Headingley 1
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However, by the time of the final whistle an afternoon which had appeared to promise much for the visitors had turned into a nightmarish encounter and left the team reflecting on a game where they may not have had the rub of the green, but equally had been outfought and often outplayed.
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For the second game in a row manager Richard Hamilton tinkered with his starting lineup, and the early signs appeared promising as succession of corners were won and front pairing Pickup and Taylor spread panic in the Kellingley back line.
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It came as no surprise when after twenty minutes a low corner from Gavin Johnstone was met by the right foot of midfielder Adam Finch and his low shot found the corner of the net with the keeper unable to get a strong enough hand to the ball.
Kellingley began to work their way into the game through their 'little and large' front pairing and Headingley's defenders had to stretch every sinew to deal with the crosses which began to rain into their penalty area. On the half hour mark goalkeeper George Clark collided with his near post in getting down to turn away a low header and this moment would prove pivotal in Headingley's afternoon. From a corner shortly after Headingley were unable to clear a deep cross and conceded an equaliser as the ball was nodded in from close range.
The score remained 1-1 as halftime arrived, although Finch could have restored the visitors' advantage late on with a header from another corner which clipped the top of the crossbar. Still suffering from his earlier concussion, Clark was unable to continue in goal and so Headingley turned to midfielder Paul Harrington to don the gloves in the second half. With his side coming under increasing pressure the stand-in 'keeper put in a brave shift, dealing with numerous high balls and onrushing attackers and pulling off one incredible point blank save.
He could however do little to prevent his side going behind in the sixtieth minute as a Headingley attack broke down and a through ball was slotted home by Kellingley's diminutive striker.
Struggling to break down a resolute and rejuvenated home side, Headingley still managed to have two very respectable penalty appeals turned down by the referee in the final quarter of an hour. However, with time running out and their search for an equaliser leaving increasing gaps in their defences, the visitors conceded two goals in the closing moments as their tiring legs were run ragged by confident Kellingley attackers.
At this stage of the season with games coming thick and fast Old Headingley will have little time to feel sorry for themselves and will need to rouse themselves quickly in time for their next fixture. Early days in the season, but it could already be make or break time.
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Weather for Leeds
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light sleet
Temperature: 0 C to 1 C
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