Yorkshire Lions 2 Dalton Dyn 1
U16 Cup Third Round (A.E.T)
WARRENSIDE is a name that will bring back memories for Huddersfield footballers as the place where Bradley Rangers played out many of their famous successes a couple of decades ago.
But, after many years laying idle, the ground has now been transformed into a superb football facility which boasts two full-size pitches, two mini-soccer pitches and a magnificent new clubhouse which is now the home of Yorkshire Lions Junior FC.
Like most clubs, the Lions started out as just one team and some enthusiastic parents playing their games on any pitch they could get hold of, but, the modest beginning soon turned into a dream of owning their own ground and so, with the help of a six-figure grant from the Football Foundation and some serious fundraising, the club now enjoy one of the best facilities in Huddersfield.
The Under 16s play in one of the toughest divisions in the RCD Junior League and their opponents were fellow First Division rivals, Dalton Dynamoes.
Playing for a place in the quarter finals, this game was not for the faint hearted as the Lions and Dynamoes laid on two hours of hard, fast, skilful, gripping football for the enthralled supporters.
Although the home side started the stronger, there was little goalmouth action as Elliott Burgin, Tom O’Hara, Marcus Bray and Connor Kaye frustrated the Lions attack.
At the other end, Levi Williams and Manraj Bhullar were equally steadfast in keeping out the Dalton threat and, despite the non-stop action, the only time that either keeper was really troubled in the first half was when Greg Taylor pulled off a superb reaction save to deny Jordan Jamal.
By the time the second half got under way, Ben Moore and Teboho Bongani were controlling the game for Dalton and Deveid Petrov sent a warning to the Lions with a left foot shot across goal that whistled just wide of the target.
A second chance fell the way of Connor Kaye but the ball arrived so fast that the Dalton midfielder could only prod the ball into the arms of keeper Taylor.
Dalton’s deserved breakthrough finally arrived when Gary Nixon’s 20-yard free-kick took enough of a deflection to send Lions keeper Ryan Halonka the wrong way.
But Dalton’s elation was shortlived as the Lions were level within a minute when Ryan Waters hit a blistering 25-yard curling shot into the top corner to equalise.
The goal re-inspired the home side and the Dynamoes endured a hectic last 10 minutes as Jamie Peel, Jordan Jaber and Ackeem Campbell piled on the pressure, and only an excellent last-ditch Omar Sinclair tackle denied Ryan Cooke as the Lions striker prepared to shoot.
The winning goal arrived in the first period of extra-time when a corner fell to the feet of Waters, who stabbed the ball into the back of the Dynamoes net from inside the six-yard box. With neither side showing any sign of tiredness, there was still some way to go and Dalton kept the Lions support on their toes with an all-out attack that resulted in numerous chances, the nearest of which was cleared off the line by Manraj Bhullar just moments before the final whistle.
And the home side held on to win a superb game which, despite some fierce tackling, was played in good spirit throughout.
On another day, the Dynamoes could have won this game, but it was not to be and, instead, it’s Yorkshire Lions that move into a last-eight meeting with either Golcar United or Silkstone, who play next week.
