FA National League Systems Cup - West Riding County Amateur League 0 Yorkshire Old Boys League 3

The Yorkshire Old Boys League Representative XI (YOBL) reached the third round of the FA National League Systems Cup after defeating the West Riding County Amateur League (WRCA) 3-0 at Campion FC. This third away success follows victories against the Cumberland County League 5-4 and the Cheshire County League 3-1 and highlighted the fact the YOBL are punching way beyond their weight.   The Old Boys League success is built upon a high work ethic, an abundance of skill, the ability to respond to and carry out pre-match plans and an unbreakable team spirit. The YOBL took the lead around the20th minute mark. A rapier like free kick from some 25 yards out, taken by dead ball specialist the hard working Tom Marston, was parried by the WRCA keeper and rebounded into the path of the ubiquitous Sam Clark who made no mistake. An injury to keeper Ian Simkins held up play for a while and just after the restart WRCA missed their best chance when a left wing cross was sliced wide at the far post. The main pressure to the YOBL defence came from whipped in crosses from Andy Benjamin but the YOBL back three of Paul Smith, skipper Tom Priestley and Dave Ashmore  dealt with these skilfully having to stretch every sinew to force them clear. Nevertheless it was YOBL who attacked the more incisively and a chance created for Matty Jackson by Steve Tierney just slid past the wrong side of the left hand post. Thus 1-0 at half time but before the restart YOBL introduced substitute keeper Sam Burns to replace the injured Ian Simpkins.  Within 10 minutes of the second half commencing skipper Tom Priestley pulled up sharply and his place in the back three was taken by the versatile Sam Clark who dropped back from mid-field and converted  to his new position like a duck to water. His placed in mid-field was taken by James Parkinson who quickly adapted to the specific role he was asked to play. Despite the enforced changes YOBL dominated the second half with substitute keeper Burns having little to do. However he called for and plucked a free kick out of mid-air and his enormous punt was fatally allowed to bounce by the WRFA defence. Matty Jackson moved the ball to the right and as the attack developed a low cross from the edge of the area from Johnny Kitchen was gleefully met by Steve Tierney who had timed his run into the six yard box to perfection. That goal placed YOBL 2-0 ahead with Steve Tierney disappearing under a mass of celebrating YOBL players.  YOBL continued to dominate possession, with the mobility of the YOBL attack continuing to threaten thanks to the excellent service from a hard tackling mid-field. The threat from Andy Benjamin, he moved to the left of midfield, dwindled thanks to the close attention of Johnny Kitchen.  It was inevitable that Matty Jackson would round off his afternoon with a goal and he combined well with Dale Dodsworth who had replaced the selfless John Mallinson around the 75^th minute mark. Matty moved in on goal and neatly placed the ball past the WRCA keeper Chris Moroney to make it 3-0 and round four clearly beckoned. It is always difficult to pick out individual heroes in a game when all the players, coming from nine different clubs, were brilliant as a unit. Dave Ashmore was a colossus at the back. Steve Tierney put in a Brian Robson performance in mid-field and Matty Jackson created havoc against an uncertain defence. If we looking for an unsung hero then go further than Tim Bridge whose disciplined performance in front of the back three will have delighted Manager Mark Reid? No praise can be high enough for Mark Reid and his assistant Dr Stephen Ledger for their efforts to ensure this wonderful assembly of players can perform to the very best of their ability. 

The team: Ian Simpkins (Ealandians) sub Sam Burns (Collegians) 45 mins; Dave Ashmore (Medics), Tom Priestley (Trinity OB) sub James Parkinson (Ealandians) 55 mins, Paul Smith (Medics): Johnny Kitchen (Gildersome Spurs OB), Sam Clark(Huddersfield Amateur), Steve Tierney (Stanningley OB), Tim Bridge (St Nicholas), Tom Marston (Trinity OB): John Mallinson (Stanningley OB) sub Dale Dodsworth (Wortley) 75 mins; Matty Jackson (Gildersome Spurs OB): Subs not used: Mickey Joyce (Stanningley OB), Dan Thackray (Gildersome Spurs OB).