Boro
fall to a disappointing 10-5 defeat to rivals Leeds on a snowy day at Leeds
University
Middlesbrough
suffered an early season set back as they fell to a new look Leeds side at
Leeds University on Sunday.
A
goal within 11 seconds set Leeds on their way to a repeat of their home win
over Boro last season and within two minutes they had a three goal lead. Every shot they hit seemed to go past the
hapless Peter Bulmer in goal including an own goal from Jason Kilbride after a
shot from Mat Payne.
Leeds
had opened up an unassailable 9-2 lead at the half time break in what Damon
Shaw described as “the worst 20 minutes of futsal he has ever seen from his
side.”
Josh
Poyser and Sean O’Brien both doubled their Boro tallies with consolation goals
in the first half but the half time break couldn’t come soon enough.
A
change of tactics and change of mentality in the second half saw Boro come out
all guns blazing and they managed to give Leeds a scare, scoring two early in
the second half through Pete Bulmer and Jason Kilbride. Leeds scored their tenth as Chris Bivens lost
the ball while Bulmer was out his goal, but Boro pushed on.
They
got the fifth through Robbie Bettson and there was 10 minutes remaining and
Leeds were looking worried at Boro’s fight back.
Belief
had seeped back into the Boro players and they could sense an amazing
comeback.
It
wasn’t to be however, and Leeds held on for the remaining 10 minutes to seal a
win and extend their unbeaten start to the league season.
Manager
Damon Shaw said after the game, “We were embarrassing in the first half. To concede nine goals to any team at this
level isn’t acceptable, let alone in 20 minutes. We all have to take responsibility and learn
from it and not let it happen again. The second half showed that we can play,
but we didn’t do enough to worry them – we had 10 minutes at 10-5 and failed to
score even one more, which is disappointing.”
Boro’s
next game is away at fierce rivals Tranmere Victoria and they will be looking
to bounce back with a win and put their season back on track.
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