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Leeds Combination League Division 1 24th February 2008 Morley Mercantile 2 – 4 Leeds City Rovers Leeds City Rovers secured their best win of the season away at league leaders Morley Mercantile. In an entertaining game Rovers deservedly grabbed the points however were made to work hard for their win on a terrible pitch after falling behind twice in the first half. There were two players missing from the team that beat Rothwell two weeks earlier with Dave Beaumont returning to University and Geoff Clarkson having family commitments. This gave opportunities to Tom Maxwell and Paul Marriott to secure regular position in the first team. Both teams were pumped up for the big match and the pressure was clearly reflected when centre back Andrew Mitchell threw up before kick off. Unsurprisingly the game started quite tentatively, with both teams getting to grips the boggy and badly scared pitch.
The first chance of note fell to the home team with a free kick on the edge of the area. The shot was well struck however John Bell positioned himself well and gathered the ball comfortably. Nick Wilson then stung the gloves of the Mercantile keeper with a well hit shot from the edge of the area. Five minutes later Morley opened the scoring. After a neat move down the right a cross came in which Rovers failed to clear and the Mercantile striker pounced to drill the ball into the net. Rovers responded quickly and levelled the game soon after. After some good play in midfield, Lev Watach found Howard Collier on the right. The winger easily beat the Morley left back and his low cross found Paul Wills in the box who finish superbly with his right foot, sending into the bottom corner. Morley continued to threaten and with some better finishing could have scored on a number of occasions. They did take the lead however with an excellent strike. After collecting ball around thirty yards out, the Morley forward struck the ball elegantly into the top left corner giving the home side the lead again. Rovers were looked a bit shaken and were struggling to keep hold of the ball. Slowly they did manage to claw their way back into the game and with around ten minutes remaining of the first period levelled the game again. After a goal mouth scramble Jonny Richies was on hand to pass the ball into the open net after Howard Collier shot was blocked on the line. Rovers could have gone in ahead before half time but they squandered two gilt edge opportunities. Tom Maxwell shot wide after being put through one on one, and after Lev Watach had successfully pole axed the Morley goalkeeper Maxwell couldn’t finish again from a difficult angle. Rovers came out in the second half with all guns blazing as they pressed Morley back into their own half. It didn’t take too long before they took the lead for the first time in the game. Paul Wills did well on the right wing and his cross found Lev Watach at the back post. The left winger’s header was brilliantly guided into the far corner of the net leaving the goalkeeper with no chance. Rovers then proceeded to pepper the Morley goal however they failed to capitalise on a number of good chances. Lev, Howard, Tom, Nick, Jonny and Paul, all managed to work the ball into good positions however lacked the cutting edge in front of goal to get the decisive fourth goal. This was causing much anxiety on the bench as Morley started to look increasingly dangerous on the counter attack and had two good penalty shouts turned down by the referee. Stewart decided to add some fresh legs to the game replacing the injured Joe Magnal for Alastair Jackson, Jonny Richies for Richard Regan, and Chris Pugh for Howard Collier. It proved to be inspired substitution’s by the manager as Regan grabbed the forth goal soon after. The ball was whipped in from a corner on the right and after Richard’s first header was saved, the midfielder pounced on the rebound to slot home. Morley didn’t give up the fight however and it took good blocks from Chris Pugh to keep the home team out The referee did soon call time and Rovers celebrated a brilliant victory to put them in with a shout of promotion and possibly the league title. Despite missing a number of good chances and struggling to play the passing football that they enjoy, Rovers will be delighted with their brilliant application in the second half. The team had committed performances from back to front gave and they deserved the victory in a close encounter. Team: John Bell (8), Paul Marriott (8), Joe Magnal (8) (replaced by Alastair Jackson (8)), Craig Wilson (9) Andrew Mitchell (8), Howard Collier (8) (replaced by Chris Pugh (8)), Lev Watach (8), Nick Wilson (8), Johnny Richies (8) (replaced by Richard Reagan (8)), Paul Wills (8), Tom Maxwell (8). Goals: Paul Wills, Jonny Richies, Lev Watach, Richard Regan. MoM = Craig Wilson
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