Crusaders crash into the Valley! As the season draws to a close any lingering thoughts a a push for the title all but disappeared today for a gallant Kirkstall side. Showery and overcast as is often the case on a Sunday, but not enough to dampen the spirit of two committed young teams. Typical start as the teams battled for possession in midfield. Unusally the referee called for NO linesman to be appointed, although some parents took it upon themselves to "guide" the decisions (enough said). 2nd min - Woodkirk gain a corner on the left after some good approach play. The ball was played in but cleared upfield. 3rd min - A good Kirkstall move and a great early high shot from Jake was well saved by the Woodkirk keeper. 5th min - Kirkstall win a corner on the right, the ball was applied to the edge of the box and a good shot from Matty went just wide to the keepers right. 6th min - It happens at every level but it really has been the undoing of Kirkstall in recent times, when the defence switch off momentarily and gift the alert attack an opportunity to slot the ball into an empty net. So 1-0 to the hosts as they lob the ball over the unprotected keeper with a great finish. 7th min - Kirkstall win a corner on the right after some good build up play from Jake and Brandon on the wing. The ball was played in but safely collected by the Woodkirk keeper. 8th min - Kirkstall who were enjoying some good possession had a good ball played in from Sean to Ricky, whose shot was well saved by the busy Woodkirk keeper. 12th min - Kirkstall win a corner on the right. The ball was played in to Ricky, whose excellent effort was headed off the line and over for another corner to Kirkstall much to the relief of the home defence. Kirkstall take the resulting corner which was cleared upfield. The next few minutes were played out mainly in midfield with no efforts of note. 17th min - Kirkstall have another great effort on goal this time Simon has a shot brilliantly saved on the line and headed behind in a carbon copy of the previous attack. 18th min - Kirkstall win two successive corners which were cleared by the Woodkirk defence. 19th min - Free kick to Woodkirk - The ball was played in but went wide right of the Kirkstall goal. 22nd min - Kirkstall who were enjoying the bulk of the play in this first half have another effort on goal from Ricky whose tame effort was saved. 26th min - Kirkstall gain a corner on the right which was taken but cleared upfield. 27th min - Free kick - Kirkstall 28th min - Free Kick - Woodkirk 30th min - Kirkstall have the last chance of the first half with a good long low drive from Llyndon being well saved by the busy Woodkirk keeper. So half time and the hosts who have had one shot on target after some poor defending, go in leading 1-0. Kirkstall dominated the 1st half and can take heart from their performance. HALF TIME: 1-0 The referee decided albeit late that perhaps it might be a good idea to have linesman in place for the second half, after the "guidance" received in the first was suspect to say the least. 33rd min - Woodkirk win three successive corners which were all cleared. The quality of delivery was excellent with good high dangerous balls into the box from Woodkirk. The next period was played out mainly in midfield with no chances of note. 40th min - Kirkstall have a good move up the wing played through to Ricky whose effort went just wide right of the Woodkirk goal. 41st min - Unless you have been reading a different report to the one I have written you will see that Kirkstall have been playing well? ...So it's only fitting that another lapse and excellent finish from the hosts should see them go 2-0 up with only their second shot on target. Funny old game football! 44th min - Woodkirk - caught offside. 45th min - Kirkstall - free kick Now forgive me for what happens next. The referee seemed to be more in the limelight for the remainder - so here goes ! 51st min - Free Kick - Woodkirk - Ball played in, great shot, well saved. 52nd min - Free Kick - Kirkstall 54th min - Free kick - Kirkstall 55th min - Kirkstall have a good move as they try get something out the game and have another effort on goal saved. 57th min - Woodkirk on a rare venture upfield have two good shots well saved. 58th min - Woodkirk - Two quick free kicks with no efforts on goal. FULL TIME: 2 - 0 Quite simply a game where good finishing was the order of the day. Kirkstall dominated for long spells, got caught out twice, played well, lost ... game over. Well done to our hosts and good luck for the last few games. Next up for Kirkstall the Supplementary Cup semi-final @ Garforth Villa, Sunday 23 April. TEAM - Katie, Daniel, Liam, Christian, Matty, Ricky, Brandon, Jake, Sean, Llyndon, Simon MATCH STAISTICS KIRKSTALL:
Shots on target - 7
Shots off target - 2
Corners - 7
Free kicks - 4
Offside - 0
Possession - 56% WOODKIRK:
Shots on target - 5
Shots off target - 1
Corners - 4
Free kicks - 7
Offside - 1
Possession - 44% Attendance - 46 | 
