This week’s match report comes from Ben Leeming, Helen Clarke and Kev White, all compiled by Sean O’Kelly.

Men’s 1st Team

• v. Alderley Edge 2 (away), written by Ben Leeming
• Won 5 – 3 (Goal scorers: George Johnstone, Rob Johnstone (2), Sam Temple-Baxter, Ben Treadgold)
• NHML Division One

“The Men’s 1s break their poor away streak with confident performance in tough circumstances”

The odds were stacked heavily in Alderley Edge’s favour this week. Lindum’s training had been called off for ice earlier in the week, fog had drawn their previous game to an early close, they had to travel in excess of 2 hours to the game and with only 11 actual players. None of these advantages proved sufficient to give Alderley the edge over the boys in yellow.

The game started promisingly, an early PC and bizarre double breaking-early foul conceded by the home team gave Lindum an incredible chance to score within the first few minutes of the game. Sadly, the chance was spurned as Tom White passed the ball harmlessly off the sideline in what has been describes as “acres” of space. White was given the chance to redeem himself moments later but his drag-flick was deflected away by a well-placed defender. A half-way line giveaway by Lindum led to a decisive counter-attacking goal for Alderley Edge on the 10-minute mark. Lindum equalised through a goal-line scrap created by human pest James Dewhurst and finished smartly by George Johnstone. Two controversial green cards were received by Leeming and Swift in quick succession, the advantage could not be pressed home at the time, but the home side did renew their lead before half time. A speculative aerial was not dealt with by the Lindum defence and a deflected shot wriggled underneath the de-crocked feet of keeper Matt Ward. HT – 1-2.

It took until the 59th minute for Sean to record any notable incidents, this time a short corner awarded to and converted by Alderley Edge, thankfully not the village-style straight strike they had threatened earlier, the initial shot was saved and unfortunately rebounded to an attacker who finished. It was at this point that Alderley Edge came to their senses. This kind of play was not in the spirit of the season! Christmas is a time for giving, for welcoming people into your home and sharing all you have. In this case, Lindum helped themselves to the figgy pudding of a delicious comeback and the goals were spread deep and crisp, but the score was most certainly not even. Indeed, many a stocking was stuffed with goals as the team slid down the opposition’s chimney with a sack full to bursting of quality attacking play. It began straight from the pushback, a quick break down the right by Leeming led somehow to a 3 on 1 allowing Rob Johnstone his first tap-in of the day. Sam Temple-Baxter decided to beat 5 players and score a reverse stick strike 2 minutes later. 3 minutes later, Ben Treadgold was on hand to finish with a trademark sliced slap after a rapid left-sided counterattack. Alderley Edge were thoroughly deprived of Christmas cheer by the 68th minute, but found it in their hearts to deliver one final gift: possession in their own half. Harry Swift drove towards the D and set up Rob Johnstone for his 2nd of the day and Lindum’s 5th. With that, Lindum secured their first away win since October 2015. One final Christmas miracle? Despite all the odds, player-coach Gary Johnson didn’t brown his trousers, despite going on about it being a distinct possibility all day. He celebrated with extra-strong coffees all round for the journey home.

Team: Matt Ward (GK), Ben Leeming, Tom White, Tom Saunders, Ian Ferraby, George Johnstone, Sam Temple-Baxter (Capt.), Ben Treadgold, Harry Swift, Rob Johnstone, James Dewhurst, Gary Johnson

Head Coach: Gary Johnson / Manager: Sean O’Kelly

MOM: Dewy and Sam, for great performances and general pest-ery / DOD: Rob, using his phone inappropriately

Ladies 1st Team

• v. St Ives 1 (away)
• Won 2 – 1 (Goal scorer: Angie Green)
• EWL Division 1 North

The 1sts continued recent good form with a fantastic performance on the road to finish 2016 with victory. Angie Green scored both goals. The ladies next fixture will be against 4th-placed Harleston Magpies 2nds at the Lindum Sports Association on 14 January.

Men’s 2nd Team

• v. Leeds 3 (home)
• Won 3 – 1 (Goal scorer: Chris Hearn (3))
• YHA Men’s Premier

The 2nds took a big scalp in Yorkshire Premier with a comfortable victory over a strong Leeds 3rds. Chris Hearn ensured victory scoring a hat-trick. The win moves the men away from the bottom two, and within touching distance of the top four in what is quickly becoming a tight league – only four points currently separates 4th from 10th.

Ladies 2nd Team

• v. Northallerton 1 (home) by Helen Clarke
• Drew 3 – 3 (Goal scorers: Jo Siddans (2), Kirsty Quibel
• YHA Women’s Division 1

Lindum made an excellent start to this game and caught the opposition unawares; Jo Siddans found an incredible angle within possibly the second minute and Lindum took an early lead. Sadly, the lead didn’t last long and Northallerton quickly regrouped and scored an equaliser shortly after. Lindum struggled to take control and a mixture of holding the ball a moment too long and overcomplicating the play led to Northallerton scoring another goal before half time. After the change of ends Lindum began to show glimpses of their true capabilities but Northallerton were awarded a short corner and scored a solid goal. With Northallerton going two goals ahead Lindum upped their game and started to look like a more determined side. Lindum were awarded a short corner and Kirsty Quibel received a cheeky short ball from Lucy Oliver at left slip and hit it home. A final short corner was awarded in the closing minutes and Jo Siddans, at the top of the D, placed a powerful shot straight into the goal.

Final score 3-3. Lessons learnt, and the determination show in the second half need to be taken into the Semi Final Yorkshire Cup game tomorrow.

Goal scorers: Jo Siddans (2) Kirsty Quibel (1)

• v. Driffield 2 (home)
• Lost 2 – 0
• Sunday – YHA Women’s Yorkshire Cup, Semi-final

Defeat for the ladies sees them exit the cup at the semi-final stage, and ends their involvement in all cup competitions this season. They’ve had 2 fantastic cup runs this season and will be looking to go further in next season’s competitions.

Men’s 3rd Team

• v. Ramgarhia 1 (away)
• Drew 2 – 2 (Goal scorers: Will O’Sullivan, Jacob Barnes)
• YHA Men’s Division 2

The 3rds walked away from Ramgarhia in Leeds with a hard-fought point, in a game they largely dominated and could’ve or should’ve won. A last minute Jacob Barnes penalty stroke earnt the visitors a point, with Will O’Sullivan also registering a goal.

Ladies 3rd Team

• v. Leopold 1 (away)
• Won 1 – 0 (Goal scorer: Victoria Michalke)
• YHA Women’s Division 4 South

Victoria Michalke continued her recent good run of goalscoring form with the match winner in a tight affair against Leopold. The victory lifts the 3rds into 4th and keeps them in the hunt for a promotion spot.

Men’s 5th Team

• v. University of Leeds 2 (away)
• Lost 6 – 0
• YHA Men’s Division 4 South

Defeat for the 5ths ensured that Leeds move out of the bottom two and drop Lindum 4ths into the relegation zone after the postponement of their game. The 5ths performed valiantly, and the score line was harsh on them.

Men’s Development Team

• v. Rotherham 5 (away) by Kev White
• Lost 3 – 1
• YHA Men’s Development South Division

Tremendous display by the Development Team against a much older & stronger Rotherham team. 3-0 down at half time but Lindum having the better play & chances – Rotherham just finished well. Second half one way traffic as Lindum pinned down Rotherham in their own half for long periods and got one back. Played in good spirit and good hospitality afterwards. Man of the match on both sides could select a pudding off the menu. Well done Isaac for a tenacious hard working display against much older opponents!