|
Rovers Pay the Penalty As Pudsey Reach the Final |
|
|
|
|
Written by Howard Collier
|
|
Monday, 17 March 2008 |
Luty Cup Semi Final
09 March 2008
Pudsey 2005 1 – 0 Leeds City Rovers
Leeds City Rovers crashed out of the Luty Cup after a one-nil defeat against long time rivals Pudsey 2005. It was a deserved victory for Pudsey who played the better football on the day however they only narrowly achieved victory due to a debatable penalty in the second half.
Rovers again had a strong squad available and were able to name an unchanged starting eleven with Chris Pugh the only new addition, rejoining the squad to make up the five substitutes. Stewart impressed on the players that with the pace Rovers had in the team they were to look to take charge of the midfield by using the width of big Rothwell pitch to their advantage.
The first half never really got going for Rovers as Pudsey took control of the game. Lee Coleman and Mark Pickles were particularly influential in the midfield and their use of the ball was far better than Rovers. Pudsey struck the bar mid way through the period with a well struck free kick and should have taken the lead but poor finishing let them down when the goal was at there mercy after a ball bounce kindly to a Pudsey player at the back post. At the other end Rovers rarely tested the Pudsey goal and went into the half time break knowing that they needed to improve their game.
The second period started far more brightly for Rovers however they fell behind after around ten minutes. Lee Coleman skipped inside the area and bundled into Andrew Mitchell who couldn’t have avoided the Pudsey man and despite no protest from the Pudsey players a penalty was given. Mark Pickles confidently dispatch the penalty and Rovers had it all to do.
Rovers responded well to the set back and fashioned out their first real chance when Paul Wills escaped down the right and hit a low driven cross that was met by Dave Beaumont. The striker couldn’t get enough contact on the ball before the Pudsey goalkeeper had closed him down. Despite Rovers beginning to play better Pudsey thought they had made it two but the linesman’s flag deemed Pudsey to be offside in the build up. Rovers almost levelled the game when Nick Wilson’s dipping shot bounced in front of the Pudsey keeper Paul Brennan, only for him to save superbly.
Rovers threw on three changes in the late stages with Tom Maxwell, Jonny Richies, and Dave Beaumont making way for Howard Collier, Paul Marriott, and Richard Regan however it was to no avail as Pudsey finished strongly to reach the final. Rovers will be disappointed with their performances despite putting in 100% effort on the day they were unable to play the type of football that has won them so many games of late.
Rovers have a one week break and will resume their season with a quarter final against Chapeltown Brazil on Easter Sunday.
Team: John Bell (9), Geoff Clarkson (8), Joe Magnal (8), Craig Wilson (8), Andrew Mitchell (8), Lev Watach (7), Tom Maxwell (7), Nick Wilson (8), Jonny Richies (7), Paul Wills (7), Dave Beaumont (7).
Substitutions: Dave Beaumont off for Paul Marriott, Tom Maxwell off for Howard Collier, Jonny Richies off for Richard Regan.
Subsititutes Unused: Chris Pugh, Alistair Jackson
MoM = John Bell
| Comments () >> |
 |
|
