LEEDS CITY PRE-SEASON FINISHES IN STYLE

Leeds City's first pre-season of the new era came to a forceful close last night with a 5-1 victory over Premier league side Knaresborough Town.

Having previously defeated Guiseley Reserves (3-1), Pool FC (4-3), Western Juniors (4-0) and a draw with premier league champions Leeds met (2-2) a tougher encounter was anticipated. Leeds City maintained their un-beaten record and but on their best performance of the pre-season campaign.

The game started brightly, and Leeds had much of the possession in the opening 20 minutes. The chances soon began to fall for Leeds City, Nick Bishop should have opened the scoring after making a terrific run into the Knaresborough box, only to mis-direct his header wide. The chance was created down the left flank from a wonderful left-foot cross from Calem Connolly.

Michael Stone bought the Knaresborough goalkeeper into action moments later with a snap shot and it was a matter of time before Leeds would open the scoring. Jonny Crawley came close with a header from an Olivier Thompson cross, but the goal seemed inevitable and in the 36th minute Connolly picked out Joe Liddell with a neat through ball, Liddell beat his man and drove a left footed cross into the box for Stone to tap away.

City never seemed troubled and the second goal came 5 minutes later. Again the ball was cut back along the area to Mike Browne who finished from 18yards. Leeds went in at half-time all smiles with the hard work nearly done.

To be fair to Knaresborough they tried to play, but they couldn't cope with City's formation. Town started well in the second half but a qucik break lead to another Connolly cross from the left hand side that fell to Thompson at the back post. He finished in style with a right foot volley from a tight angle. That summed up the manner in which Leeds had approached the game, a quick counter attack, one and two touich football and a delightful finish.

Leeds made four substitutions 20 minutes into the second half, Redgrave, Pepper, Saunders and Freeman entered the fray and settled well. Pepper looked particularly bright down the left hand side and Saunders looked energetic up front.

Knaresborough pulled one back through a wonderful volley from the outside of the area but it never troubled the second division side as they looked to score another.

A move orchestrated by the supreme captain Mitch Cameron lead to the fourth goal. Bishop and Redgrave had exchanged some neat passes after Liddell had broken down the right. Cameron picked the ball up 30 yards out and rolled Pepper in from the left. He beat his man and cut the ball across the goal for Connolly to finish hitting the underside of the bar. It was a beautiful team goal and tipified the confidence of the City team.

Harkin and Ray had strong games at the back, Crawley was the most outstanding player on the pitch. He grew more and more confidence to make runs from the back and his determination lead to the fifth goal. Crawley having lost possession inside the box won it back and crossed for Saunders to finish.

It was a convincing display from the whites and beating opposition two leagues above them proves that they are out for some silverware this season.

Line up. Taf, Crawley, Harkin, Ray (Freeman 65), Bishop, Liddell, Thompson (Pepper 65), Cameron(c), Connolly, Browne (Redgrave 65), Stone (Saunders 65)

Goalscorers: Stone 36, Browne 41, Thompson 54, Connolly 78, Saunders 87

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