Leopards Quality Shines Through

The Leopards belatedly opened their league account as they travelled to face old foes Cliffe Woods.

Without the services of Ryan, Ollie May stepped up in between the sticks. Jack and Hayden were also unavailable.

After a delayed start waiting for the referee, the Leopards were caught cold as Cliffe took the lead with their first attack!

But the Leopards responded well and started to move the ball well through midfield.

The introduction of the returning Vincent really turned the game in the Leopards favour.

An excellent team move as Ollie found Max, he played the ball down the line to Vincent who got to the byline and cut the ball back where Luke slotted the ball home from 10 yards.

And the Leopards then added another after good pressure from Luke, Zach Williams cut out the loose pass, before sending Zach Mitchell in on goal in the inside right channel and he made no mistake, smashing the ball into the roof of the net.

Into the second half, the Leopards extended their advantage, as Joseph dropped a pin point free kick over the top where Vincent raced onto the bouncing the ball and superbly lobbed it over the keeper and into the net??

Cliffe then enjoyed a couple of openings themselves but Ollie May was out quickly as the Cliffe forward tried to round him, but the debutant reacted superbly to nudge the ball away.

The Leopards then put the game to bed as Ollie found himself in space on the edge of the box, and he rifled the ball past the keeper into the bottom corner.

Again Cliffe pressed forward but the Leopards back three of Teddy, Josh and Elliot were first to every ball.

Max was then agonisingly close to getting on the scoresheet as Callum’s through ball found him in on goal in the inside right channel and as the ball sat up his dipping effort cannoned back off the crossbar.

With the clock ticking down, Cliffe scrambled home a corner to reduce the deficit.

Parents Player of the Match: Zach Mitchell
Coaches Player of the Match: Luke

Coaches Thoughts
After a sloppy start, I thought we didn’t panic and slowly got our passing game going and scored 4 very good goals and on another day could have had a few more!
But overall a good performance and a good result, and we will continue to improve week after week.