Another Sunday, another game that Kirkstall managed to hang on to claim the three points. South Leeds Saints were unable to field a full compliment of players today and had to play the entire game to their credit with just 10 players. We had good conditions today it was mild with a reasonable playing surface as we look to clear the backlog of games forced upon us by the winter weather. A healthy crowd looked on in anticipation and were not disappointed. The first few minutes were end to end with no real chances of note as both teams tried to settle into an early pattern. 4th min - Kirkstall win the games first corner on the right after some good approach play. The ball was played in but cleared upfield by the Saints defence. Kirkstall gain possession just inside the Saints half and went back into the Saints box forcing another corner. 5th min - Kirkstall took the corner from the left and after a goalmouth scramble Saints clear the ball to the edge of the box only for Katie to fire in a shot which was handled by the Saints defence giving Kirkstall a penalty. Sean stepped up to slot the ball home from the spot low and to the keepers left giving Kirkstall an early lead 1-0. 7th min - Kirkstall were in possession as the ball was played to Jake on the left wing who went on a lovely solo run only to see his shot deflected behind for another Kirkstall corner. The ball was played in but easily dealt with by Saints defence. 9th min - Simon had a tame shot go wide left for Kirkstall. 10th min - Kirkstall who were enjoying some good early pressure went on the attack again and force a corner on the left.The ball was played in and fell to Joe, whose shot was deflected wide for yet another corner. 11th min - Kirkstall play the ball into the edge of the box only for Ricky to hit a good shot which went high over the Saints bar not troubling the keeper. 14th min - Saints win a free kick for a late challenge. Saints took the free kick from outside the Kirkstall box and the shot was well hit but went wide right of the Kirkstall goal. The next few minutes were played out mainly in midfield with no chances of note. Saints with a depleted squad were being contained at this stage with a shoot on sight policy being adopted as when the chance arose which is perfectly understandable, however with a quarter of the game gone they were certainly still in in and playing well. 19th min - A throw in from Daniel on the left just inside the Saints half was played into the box and the unlucky Saints defender handled and the referee awarded another penalty to Kirkstall albeit unlucky this time for Saints. Sean stepped up to take the penalty for Kirkstall feeling confident after converting one earlier. Sean hit a low shot towards the centre of the goal which was well saved by the Saints keeper. 20th min - Kirkstall, still reeling from the penalty miss, went forward again and Jake (who was having a good game) had an attempt go just wide. 21st min - Kirkstall had another attempt on goal this time from Katie who hit a long high shot from midfield towards the Saints goal which was saved by the Saints keeper. 23rd min - Saints who had been under pressure for most of the first half had done really well to keep the score at 1-0 with some valiant defending went upfield and won their first corner. The ball was played in but headed behind not troubling the Kirkstall goal. 24th min - The pressure being exerted by Kirkstall was beginning to take its toll as Ricky slotted home a low drive to give Kirkstall a 2-0 lead. 27th min - Saints went forward with a great move through the middle and had a shot go just wide right of the Kirkstall goal. 29th min - Kirkstall went forward again but this time seemed to have at least three players off-side but the referee waved play on and the resulting shot went wide right of the Saints goal. So half time and Kirkstall with a healthy 2-0 lead. Saints however were certainly not out of the game and let's not forget took to the field today with just 10 players! Half time: 2-0 Kirkstall subs:
Off went - Jake, Brandon, Amani - Well played, guys.
On came - Joe, Nathan, Callum. 32nd min - Kirkstall started the second half where they left off and went on the attack and a lovely ball played into the box by Sean was taken on the volley by Simon who slammed home to make it 3-0 to Kirkstall. 34th min - Kirkstall win a corner on the right which was played in and cleared by Saints defence. 36th min - Saints were really beginning to come into the game now and looked fired up for the remainder of the game with a "nothing to lose" attitude and have a good shot saved by Tom in goal. 37th min - Saints have a long shot at goal parried by the Kirkstall keeper with Liam clearing behind to give Saints a corner on the left. Saints took a good corner which was cleared behind for another corner which was this time cleared upfield by Kirkstall. 39th min - Kirkstall sub - Mathew on - Katie off - well played 43rd min - Kirkstall who had been quiet the last few minutes as Saints battled their was back into the game played a good ball forward from Nathan through the middle to Sean whose shot went wide. 44th min - Kirkstall battled through midfield and played the ball to Ricky who slammed home high into the net making it 4-0 and surely an unassailable lead against 10 men? 46th min - Saints win a free kick for a late tackle. 47th min - Kirkstall had two quick shots at goal go just wide from Ricky then Llyndon as they looked to try put the game beyond reach. 48th min - Kirkstall sub - Katie on - Simon off - well played Into the last 10 minutes with a four goal cushion it should have been a formality. Saints however forgot to read the script and a quite excellent final stage ensued. 50th min - Saints have a good shot deflected wide for a corner on the right. 51st min - Saints had a good move and a great low hit shot which reduced the deficit to 4-1. 52nd min - Saints go forward again and have another shot this time to high and wide of the relieved Kirkstall goal as the Crusaders team became "sinners" and seemed to swtich off for the last 10 minutes. 53rd min - Saints who were in the ascendancy grab another well taken goal which went high into the Kirktall net making it 4-2. 56th min - Saints were beginning to believe that a shock point was up for grabs and went forward again forcing a corner on the right. The ball was played in and was headed of the bar and agonisingly behind for Saints and a real let off for Kirkstall. 57th min - Kirkstall break from their own half and Sean looked certain to score but the Saints keeper had other ideas as he saved at Sean's feet. 58th min - Saints who threw caution to the wind went upfield again and scored a great goal sending the visiting support into ecstasy as they began to sense a stunning comeback as they made it 4-3. 60th min - Saints almost sensationally got what in my opinion would have been a deserved equaliser but Tom saved the day for Kirkstall and cleared upfield. A nervy end to a a game with the age-old "play to the whistle" saying comes into mind and that is exactly why the Saints were "saints" today and Kirkstall "sinners" fpr switching off. The plaudits rightly go to the visiting team today for a remarkable comeback which just fell short in the end. Well played the 10 men of Saints today! Match statistics KIRKSTALL
Shots on goal - 5
Shots off target - 8
Corners - 5
Free kicks - 1
Off side - 0
Possession 57% Team: Tom, Daniel, Liam, Amani, Ricky, Katie, Llyndon, Jake, Simon, Sean, Brandon
Subs: Callum, Joe, Matthew, Nathan (all used) SOUTH LEEDS SAINTS
Shots on goal - 5
Shots off target - 5
Corners - 5
Free kicks - 2
Possession - 43% Attendance - 50 | 
