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Match report: Old Headingley v Altofts
For the second time this season Old Headingley lost out to table-topping Altofts by a solitary goal.
Old Headingley 0
Altofts 1
The result leaves the visitors well placed for promotion and the hosts reflecting on an improved showing but lack of a cutting edge.
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Still missing injured talisman Andy Hallam, Headingley were boosted by the returns of Richard Dyson and Oli Hubbard and set out keen to avenge their narrow defeat in the two teams' earlier meeting in February.
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An early effort across goal from Pete Gillick was almost prodded in by Dyson as Headingley made a decent start, but at the other end Leigh Fearn's goal temporarily led a charmed life as a speculative effort from distance hit the bar and the looping ball was volleyed wide on the rebound from a tight angle.
Once the contest settled down both sides fought hard, although at times the quality of play left a little to be desired.
Thirty minutes in, Old Headingley attempted to play a quick free kick on the half way line but when possession was surrendered, a ball clipped behind their backline freed Altofts' centre forward.
Although he did appear to be running onto the ball from an offside position, the striker's finish was emphatic and gave Fearn no chance.
Rocked onto their heels, Headingley's confidence deserted them as their opponents took control, only spurning the chance to double their lead when a one on one chance was casually lofted over the bar.
Rousing themselves, Headingley pressurised Altofts in the closing minutes of the half.
Firstly, Gavin Johnstone broke free and narrowly failed to feed the ball into the path of the lurking Dyson.
Then the hosts forced two corners in quick succession but were unable to seriously test the visiting keeper and so went into the interval one goal down.
The second half began with Altofts still in the ascendancy, and on more than one occasion Fearn was called on to claim dangerous high balls into the six yard box.
After the visitors' right winger somehow missed an open goal which seemed set to put the game to bed, Headingley again redoubled their efforts and, aided by the fresh legs of substitutes Edge, Harrington and Seed, enjoyed more possession although still struggled to create clear chances.
After Fearn pulled off two more crucial stops to keep his side within striking distance, striker Seed seemed to have rescued a point for his side with a rasping half volley with ten minutes to play.
However, the referee's whistle and indication of a handball in charging down a defensive clearance put paid to Headingley's hopes of salvaging something from the game.
Another disappointing outcome for Headingley, who must now find a way to reverse their recent mini-slump with a victory in their next fixture, a tough visit to local rivals Old Centralians.
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Weather for Leeds
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
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Temperature: 0 C to 1 C
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