Leeds Citys County Cup run came to an end at Albion Sports where the hosts went through 3-2 after extra time. A goal in each half by the prolific Leeds City striker Rob Potter was not enough to get City through to a semi final tie at Woodlesford. The City players had given their all and despite their obvious disappointment they should be proud of the way they have played in the Cup campaign. They have represented the club, and the league we play in with dignity and have showed teams how far Leeds City have come in recent years. It also shows how much farther they have to go! To move to the next stage on the football pyramid City will need to be much better to compete at those levels. Albion Sports have 30 years of development and reputation to fall back on.

Albion Sports are based at Myra Shay in North Bradford. They are currently second in the West Riding County Amateur League, with only one loss in seven at home. The hospitality from the opponents was excellent, which was more than could be said about the pitch. It was heavy, uneven and had been vandalised by a quad bike overnight. City rely on quick freeflowing football and the conditions did not really help. However this is not to underestaimate the oppositon whom were quick, skilful and determined. 

David Pryd had some late changes to make to the team, with late withdrawals of Charles Lumley and Matty Johnson. Joe Liddell filled in admirably at right back with the impressive Tom Hitchcock remaining at left back. Abe Charles and Daniel Freeman were at the heart of the defence. Leroy McIntosh played wide right, Marc Saunders left. Blaisedale and Miller were in centre midfield with Hochstrasse and Potter upfront. Tom Le Tissier was in goal.

The game started brightly. Albion play with a confidence. Their twin strikers were mobile, looking for the ball to feet. Once they had it, they used it well bringing in the midfielders and at times looked like they might swamp Citys defence. A early hesitation in the second minute by Tom Le Tissier nearly let in Albion, when there was no real danger. City looked expansive upfront and with their first real attack took the lead. Leroy McIntosh received the ball on the right after good work by Miller. He delivered a curling cross sent over with venom, which Rob Potter met near post with a powerful dircted header into the top corner. The lead was shortlived though. Virtually from the next attack Albion scored when Citys defence were taking a "time out". Poor goal to concede and allowed the home side off the hook. The first half was excellent in terms of footballing skills on show. Both sides play with flair and look to bring down the ball rather than going long and aimless. City were getting "bogged down" in midfield and this restricted their opportunities going forward. Sometimes you have to sacrifice ball possesion in that area for more penetration upfront. The key was getting the ball wide, which is where City had the upper hand. Albion who included ex international Jay Sobers in their ranks and ex Adel Junior, ex Leeds City Rovers Declan Normaschild did not appear to have a weak link anywhere on the pitch. With 30 minutes on the clock, Albion took the lead. A careless freekick given away by City on the edge of the box was converted into a goal, via a simple but effective freekick routine. The player taking the freekick feigned to shoot, passing instead to the centre forward, whose movement had been missed by the City defence, who shot low into the net with goalkeeper Le Tissier stranded. In all fairness it was no more than Albion deserved.

HT 2-1

The second half started better for City. Albion were sending passes astray and Hochstrasse was getting the better of their centrebacks. Tom Hithcock was impressive and delivered telling balls at all opportunities. Miller and Blaisedale put in a lot of effort in midfield but were strangely second best for periods of the game to a mobile Albion midfield. The mud, the quagmire did not help their cause and eventually wore them down. Citys best chances looked when they got the ball wide especially when Hochstrasse was one on one with the Albion centrebacks. Whilst they were very comfortable in the centre with the ball coming onto them, they were more vulnerable wide. And so it proved after 65 minutes when Hochstrasse left the home defence for dead and with two players trailing in his wake on the left and delivered a cross for Potter to convert. 2-2. The home side still looked dangerous though and they nearly made in 3-2 whwn a fierce cross was met and Tom Le Tissier pulled off and outstanding one handed save to divert the ball for a corner. Blaisedale was inches away from connecting with a through ball, but almost immedialty Albion went upfield and had their best effort of the second half. A long ball left Abe Charles in two, three, four minds and his lunge did not connect with the ball. The Albion forward got to the penalty box squared the ball, but with the goal there for the taking the other forward inexplainably ballooned the ball over. A real let off for City. The game inevitably went to extra time

FT 2-2

With Bishop on for Saunders the first half of extra time saw both sides looking tired, both in mind and body. City had given their all and had done so much closing down and chasing. City pressed and withb a ball on wide Blaisedale lost possession at the edge of the Albion box. Breaking quickly 3 on 3 the Albion forward cut in from left, short pass to advancing midfielder who shot unopposed into the City net. On balance of play probably what they deserved. Rayon Maynard and Steve Clarke came on in the second period of extra time, but City looked devoid of ideas to get back into the game. With rarely a moment or chance the game drifted to an unsatisfactory end.

City worked hard throughout, but it was not their day. Albion in the first half especially were a little quicker, bit more determined and held the ball upfront better. They are surely destined to win this cup if they replicate this performance in the semis and final. For City it is the ned of a memorable cup run. Some great moments, heroic performances. At the end of the game the City supporters congratulated their team, they had done themselves and the club proud. Chairman Mark McFarlane was full of praise "The team has done very well in the County Cup, the performances have been excellent and the players should very very proud" he added "It is our priority to continue with development at our club both on and off the pitch, but we want silverware and to be winning things". In all the disapointment, news reached the ground that City Res had made their semi final, which is excellent. Maybe Mr McFarlane will be getting measured for a new suit after all!

Man of the match from the spectators - Tom Hithcock, with James Hochstrasse a close second