Yet another opportunity missed, on a dull, dismal day, littered with errors providing disappointment to all involved.
What has happened to the side every team feared, for their all round 80min game. Yes, players are missing, some injured but the DNA of the squad so obvious pre-Covid, is either hiding for now or has gone AWOL. There were a lot of runs to the line as Goole camped in Leo's half for the first 25 mins: but last ditch home defence and poor Goole options meant that the only score in this period came courtesy of Charlie Walton who barged his way over to the left of the posts. Moore’s kick went wide, Goole leading 0-5.
The restart finally took Leos into the visitor’s half and resulted in their first push towards the Goole line. Goole defended fairly well, but fell foul of the Refs whistle, which finally provided Leos with their first points of the game from an easy penalty kick. Leos 3 Goole 5. The kick-off again provided Goole with the chance to drive back into the home territory but Goole’s efforts were littered with poor ball retention and poor option choices, losing ball time after time, which only provided encouragement to a mobile and energetic home 15. For those watching it came as no surprise when Leos finally crossed for their first try, on 36 mins. Goole’s lack of dominance in all areas of their game being the reason for conceding, when it seemed easier to defend the situation.
HALF TIME 5-3
Dark skies and drizzle provided the backdrop to the second half, and for the next 10 mins Goole produced an error strewn start to the 2ND stanza. To add to their woes Charlie Walton picked up a chest injury which saw him leave the field, not to return. But it did provide a high spot for Danny Davies, who finally made his Goole 1st XV debut. Committing himself well throughout his first 40 mins of 1st team game time.
It was now the turn of Leos to control possession, as they probed and probed into Goole territory, each attack stopped, resulting in a scrum. Leos secret weapon providing penalties against Goole on a regular basis, it really being their base to go forward from, as they searched for another score. On 65 mins only a last-ditch tackle by Goole’s last man Holt stopping a certain try. But this reprieve was short lived, as first Goole lost veteran No 9 Hancox to injury, then on 70 mins conceded another score off the back of the strong home scrum pushing Goole’s pack back, before kicking through to touch down to move their lead to 13-5, with 70mins played. Effectively this was the end of the game as Leos kept Goole at bay, as they tried desperately to get to Leos line. The game fizzling out under the heavy and damp conditions.
Apart from their try Goole never broke the Leos line once. Yet another much changed line up preventing Goole generating any continuity and understanding. The insistence on persevering with not contesting opposition lineouts when they haven’t worked to date amazes all watching. (A legitimate tactic if the officials are recognising them but if not a gift to the opposition).
Next weeks home game against Pontefract will certainly test their resolve. Let’s hope Goole’s injury situation and unpredictable player unavailability for other reasons can allow players to play in their best positions, both upfront and in the back division.
Kick off is 2.15 at Westfield on Saturday for the last game of the year, and with a large contingency at the Christmas pre-match lunch a good day will be had regardless of the result and any and all support is most welcome.