Sponsored by
Match report: Old Headingley v Old Centralians
It is said that goals change games, but it was a more a case of goals scored at the right time winning a game for Old Headingley.
Old Headingley 2
Old Centralians 0
* Click here to sign up to free news and sport email alerts from Headingley Today.
The team notched up not only their third league victory in a row, but also kept their third consecutive clean sheet in winning a close encounter with an Old Centralians team that had bested them earlier in the season in a cup fixture.
* Click here for latest news in Headingley, West Park and Lawnswood.
Netting at crucial times towards the end of each half, Headingley edged a bruising contest by matching their opponents for desire and passion and then showing a touch more composure in possession at key moments, earning a victory which they just about merited on the balance of play.
Forced to make late changes to their starting lineup, Headingley began the contest somewhat cautiously, evidently aware of the problems caused to them in the two sides' last meeting by Centralians powerful and direct attacking style.
An early confrontation between Callum Butcher and the visitors' centre forward saw the defender match the pacy striker stride for stride and this encounter seemed to give the home side belief that they could cope with the opposing threat.
Steve Beck, returning to face the team against whom he showed up well earlier in the campaign, and Gavin Johnstone who was pressed into action on Headingley's right side, both began to get into the game and link up effectively with Paul Harrington in midfield.
Chances were still at a premium though, with Headingley's best opening in the first half hour falling to Oli Seed, the striker making good contact but failing to successfully direct an admittedly difficult half volley fifteen yards out.
When the breakthrough came, it arrived as it had done two weeks previously thanks to marauding centre half Callum Butcher making his presence felt in the opposing penalty area.
A free kick won and delivered by Steve Beck on the left was kept alive by Gav Edmonds and his lofted ball to the back post found his defensive colleague Butcher who made no mistake with a textbook header looped back across the 'keeper and into the net.
This was the signal for a frenetic spell in the game. First captain Andy Williams seemed certain to score after another set piece caused trouble for Centralians, the ball somehow bouncing away from him and allowing the goalkeeper to smother.
Then, with players from both sides caught up in an off the ball disagreement away from the play, Headingley appealed in vain for an offside that never came and the referee's whistle which sounded as 'keeper Leigh Fearn collided with Centralians' number eleven seemed to spell disaster. However, perhaps realising that Fearn had in fact played the ball before the two players collided, the referee opted to show only a yellow card and spare the stopper his second early bath of the season.
A correct decision but one which many feared may have gone the other way. As Fearn dealt with the resultant free kick effort with his customary safe hands, Headingley's lead was preserved at the break.
The second half was a less frenetic affair, with Headingley afforded more time on the ball and able to bring target man Seed into the game to increased effect. Johnstone provided a constant threat down the right flank, bursting onto neat touches from Seed on several occasions, and on the opposite side Beck and Andy Hallam were keeping Centralians' defenders on their toes, threatening to break through every time they had possession.
As the clock wound down, Centralians began to throw more bodies forward in an effort to force an equaliser through sheer weight of numbers. With captain Williams again leading by example and Fearn repelling any strikes at his goal, Headingley's defence stood firm, although not without their fair share of heart stopping moments and the need for a couple of fine stops from their 'keeper.
With ten minutes to go, quick feet from Hallam drew a foul on the edge of the Centralians penalty area, and just as he had done the previous week, the same player got up to despatch the set piece and seal his team's victory. His free kick was well struck and had the good fortune to find a gap in the less than sturdy defensive wall, leaving the 'keeper no time to react as the ball sped past him into the bottom left corner.
Committing their centre halves to their attack for the remaining minutes, Centralians were exposed at the back and Headingley could have extended their advantage in the closing stages had they made the most of a couple of breakaway situations. Still needing to maintain their defensive effort in the face of numerous long throws and set pieces, the home side's rearguard did their job admirably and saw out the ninety minutes to make it three very successful weeks in a row for manager Richard Hamilton and his team.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Simon Grayson sacked: Whites keeping managerial options open LATEST
- January 2012 Premier League and Championship transfer round up
- Leeds United: We wouldn’t have got Alan Smith for £2,500 a week! - Grayson UPDATED
- Web poll: Who should be Leeds United’s next manager? VOTE HERE
- Leeds United: Axed Simon Grayson leaves with tears and a salute for fans INTERVIEW
- Simon Grayson sacked: Whites keeping managerial options open LATEST
- Leeds United: A fresh start is just what we need - Lorimer
- Web poll: Who should be Leeds United’s next manager? VOTE HERE
- Are you satisfied with Leeds United’s dealings in the January transfer window? VOTE HERE
- Match report: Leeds United v Birmingham City
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Leeds
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -1 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -2 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North west
