September:
The season got off to a great start with a 6-1 win against local rivals St.
Pauls Pilgrims. Although the game lack fluency, it was good see 5 different
players chip in goals, and more impressive were debuts from Ant Glass, Nick
Eastburn and man of the match Ivan Straw. Our second game was a highly
impressive 9-0 rout of new team Opportunity Soccer. Scott Donkin continued his
impressive start to the season with 4 goals in his man of the match
performance.
October:
The start of the YCFL Cup for us this year was a trip to Morley BSC FC, the
team that knocked us out at the first elimination round last season, and this
again was a challenge just too far far the team. A few defensive mistakes are
what cost the team in the end of what was an excellent football match, that
demonstrated all the positives of the YCFL on both the quality of football and
excellent fair play by both teams. A 5-3 loss in the end was nothing to be
ashamed of, and the high standard of football on show that
day in fact demonstrates the level of improvement the team has made over the past couple of years.
Our
third league of the season saw us host another new team, Sowerby Bridge United.
In the end we came away rather disappointed in the 1-1 final result where we
enjoyed far more of the possession and chances in the game, but were just
unable to find the winning goal. With Division 2 only a few weeks in, this game
showed that the title could well be decided in the reverse fixture in February.
November:
Goals were definitely not in short supply in our second cup game of the season,
this time home to Unity in Mission. Despite going a goal down in the first
minute, we quickly bounced back to win the game an astonishing 11-4. There were
goals for full-backs on the day Dan Chapman and Ben Telfor, but it was the 3
hattricks by Ali Hogben, Jonny Donkin and first goals for the club Nick
Eastburn which did the damage. Hopefully this goalfest will continue throughout
the season.
Looking
forward, we now have 3 crucial league games at home, a cup game against Division 1
team Normanton, and a tricky away tie against Huddersfield Elim before Christmas.
With our fate in both the YCFL Cup and 12 points up for grabs in the league
before the winter break, this is a crucial period for the club. If we can carry
on the consistency in team and performance over the games, and if we can get to
the mid season interval leading YCFL Division 2, then we will be well on our
way to gaining the promotion that we are aiming for this year.
