Bronte’s final cup competition ended more with a whimper than a bang as Leeds City Reserves got the only goal of the game at Marley Stadium.
The day did not get off to the best of starts with manager Paul Breary having to miss the game with illness and with his deputy Jon Broadbent already prior booked at a wedding it was down to club captain Steve Bainbridge and experienced player Dave Nelson to take up the reins.
Reverting back to a sweeper system with returning captain Dave Alderson coming in at sweeper and Ross Chapman asked to play at centre-half with Martin Maude, for the most part of the game Bronte were reasonably solid at the back. Although frustrating for Bronte in spells the first half was reasonably even, and some good football was played, particularly considering the heavy pitch. That said Bainbridge in the Bronte goal was called upon on a couple of occasion and the big man did not let the side down with some fine saves, most notably following a volley from a free man in the box from a corner.
Some discussion between players and management at half time and although some frustrations were voiced in the main the mood was positive going into the second half. However, this soon changed when the warning of the first half was not noted and poor marking from a corner lead to Leeds taking the lead. A header was won by a Leeds City Player and fell to his colleague who unbelievably had time and space well inside the six yard box to control and fire the ball past Bainbridge who had no chance.
Shortly after this a disagreement between Liam Blacka and the management team for the day led him to be replaced by Butcher in the centre midfield. Despite the nature of the substitution, Bronte continued to try and play football and started to show the urgency that should have been there from the kick off. Unfortunately for them however, they continued to lack the bite when the ball found its way into the final third. Youngster Jack Atkinson was introduced at centre half for an injured Martin Maude and applied himself well to the task.
Ross Chapman was pushed forward into midfield swapping with Simeon Brown, and continued where he had left off at centre half with a committed display and plenty of energy. Still the goal would not come however, and despite a late flurry of Bronte corners they could not find the back of the net, leaving them to wonder how they had managed to be knocked out of a competition they fancied themselves to go all the way in.
M.O.M Ross Chapman R.M.P James Bailey