SAINTS LIFT THE FINAL CUP OF THE SEASON

BEESTON ST ANTHONY 3 V LEEDS CITY 1
WEST YORKSHIRE LEAGUE CUP FINAL @ W.RIDING COUNTY FA HQ
30 MAY 2018 --- 7.30PM

WEST RIDING COUNTY FA HQ

Beeston St Anthony lifted the West Yorkshire League Cup in a tight final at West Riding County FA Headquarters, with a final score line of 3-1 in favour of the Saints you would be forgiven for thinking an easy win.  This though was a game high on tempo and endeavour from both sides who served up a fantastic advert for The West Yorkshire League the difference at the end of the day was the finishing of Beeston and then in a second half that Leeds City dominated some resolute defending to protect their 3 goal advantage.
So with the final game of the season pulling the blog to the south of Leeds and the county FA ground that had been viewed many times from the speeding train and with some local knowledge of the area around Woodlesford having visited the neighbouring village of Oulton for a Raiders rugby league game the anticipation was high.
Arriving at Woodlesford station just after 5pm a sharp walk saw me arrive in around ten minutes at the ground just to clarify that if this game finished around 9.20pm the train twenty minutes later would be achievable for a connection in Sheffield to arrive in base station just before midnight.

FARNDALES COOKED THE PROPER YORKSHIRE WAY

Having circuited back to the main shopping area which contains an impressive Coop in its original building there was time for the final fish and chips of the 2017/18 football season and having tried Farndale's on the previous visit I was reasonably confident.  The establishment has a good reputation and fish and chip cost just £3.90 and are cooked in the good old Yorkshire way which probably gives the darkened look to the batter and chips.

PIT RAILWAY LINES STILL IN PLACE ON ESHALD LANE

Walking back to the ground along Eshald Lane the former colliery pit cottages stick out in an area that has now very much become a commuter belt and consequently more semis and detached houses proliferate.  One of the four pits in the area would be on the former miners houses views and indeed of interest further up the what appeared newly tarmac lane where the colliery rail tracks sealed for posterity into the road.
Arriving at West Riding County FA HQ which is based on the former collieries grounds to the right is a whole site for Rothwell Juniors before we turn into tonight's destination admission paid and programme gained there was time for a circuit.

TONIGHTS CUP FINAL PROGRAMME

The ground is over 20 years old now but in the last years has had a smart new 3g surface installed, to the immediate right is a pitch length stand of three rows offering a set back view which of course sadly has spectators who always want to stand to the front of it.  The stand continues past the end of the pitch much like Carlisle United's, but of course on a smaller scale.  Behind the far goal is grassed and netted and the opposite side is has smart moulded plastic blue dug outs, to the goal now where we gained entry and the changing rooms and toilets nestle alongside county FA offices and a selection of function rooms which tonight offer up a mini tea bar.  The site at Fleet lane is a smart set up but like many of these operations is a little off the beaten track unless you have a car although in this example Woodlesford station is reasonably accessible. Pre match amble complete and there was time to catch up with a few hoppers and bloggers with Mr Waite of the ultimate blog, The 66POW, and John McClure in attendance I had better be on my best behaviour!

THATS WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT

The trophy was on display at the turnstile entrance and is an excellent specimen one we mistook for the FA Cup its likeness is so much.  With Beeston finally finishing in third spot and Leeds runners up position this was sure, if my previous West Yorkshire League experiences anything to go by, to be a tight well fought game.

REFEREE DARIUS BRADLEY SORTS OUT THE FORMALATIES

Harshly for Leeds Beeston shocked them and the crowd with a  lead in the first minute when Stevie Crawford finishing from close range after good work from Matty Waller.  City were straight back at it as the game swung from end to end and the best opportunity fell to them when Sean Fitzpatrick at the back post fired right back across the face of goal with a touch just required to level the scores.  Just before the half hour mark though it was Beeston who took their chance when Waller did the setting up with some neat footwork and a clever inside heeled finish from Gareth Groves made it 2-0 and that's how we turned round.
The game was all but out to bed five minutes into the restart when Joe Wood raced through and calmed slotted home past Leeds keeper Declan Flowers.

BEESTON ON THE ATTACK

  Leeds must have wondered what had hit them they were never three goals poorer but they did receive a chance on 55 minutes when Beeston were reduced to ten men when Ryan Bailey was sent off for a late challenge on Joe Tasker.
By this time Beeston seemed to have mad the decision to get bodies behind the ball and defend what they had secured so far Leeds attacks came wave after wave bit the could not break down the resolute defending of the boys in green.   In the final ten minutes City sub James Hochstrasser saw his effort well saved by the excellent Beeston keeper Stevie Kerr he was though beaten by the same player on 82 minutes to pull a late goal back for Leeds City.  As  we entered the closing stages the security Beeston felt began to be tested when Adam Dutson crashed a 20 yard effort against the bar and then moments later Kerr pulled off a wonderful save to further deny Leeds City.

FERGIE TIME FOR BEESTON ST ANTHONYS MANAGER MARK HALMSHAW

Leeds City had certainly given their all but the cup winners were crowned and the finishing of Beeston St Anthony and resolute defending proved what an all round team effort they had put in to win the West Yorkshire League Cup and it was left for captain Stevie Kerr to lift to silverware for the men in green.
Season over there was still a matter of getting back via last train roulette and having arrived at Woodlesford to find the train would be 4 minutes later the frustration developed further when 15 minutes later we were still there some miscreant had apparently thrown an object at the drivers windscreen.  Moving off slowly to Castleford a cab end is required and over a very slow journey we arrived in Sheffield 8 minutes down and all was well as the end of the 17/18 season came about just shy of midnight at base station.
Thanks for checking the blog out this season hopefully you will follow the summer exploits around some other sports facilities cricket and rugby league are sure to feature and offer some excellent grounds and have history and many a tale to tell, look forward to seeing you along the way!