September’s Action

Sunday 21st September: Gascgoine FC 2 – 2 Republica Internationale FC
Despite having just one shot on target, an own goal and Patrick Newton strike was enough for Republica men to snatch a draw in Garforth against a strong Gascgoine side. The hosts were dominant in the first half as the Republica defence faced wave after wave of attack. A mixture of wayward finishing and some excellent saves from Man of the Match Colm Fitzpatrick meant we went into half-time trailing by only one goal to nil. It could have been six.
The second half started more brightly for the away side with some early pressure in the Gascgoine half. And the pressure told as Cedric turned his man on the edge of the box and delivered a cross which the defender turned in to his own net, much to the delight of the travelling faithful on the sides. One all and game on again. But within 5 minutes Gascgoine had taken the lead again with a quick break down the left and smart finish. A battling performance in the final half an hour was rewarded 10 minutes from time. Little Pat escaped his man at the back post from a corner and fired in from close range.
Perhaps it was harsh on Gascgoine who wasted several more chances in the second half, but we don’t care. Unbeaten after 2 games, the men deserved great credit for digging in a salvaging an unlikely point. Unbeaten, and on to the next one!

Sunday 28st September: Republica Internationale FC 2 – 0 Torpedo Woodhall

The men picked up their first win of the season in a deserved win over a ragged Woodhall side. Two second half goals from Seamus Lundy’s hamstring, one from a free kick and one from the penalty spot, proved enough on a sunny Sunday in LS7.
A comfortable first half saw few chances at either end as the ball was kept on the floor and some good passing football was played. Rick Marriner had a volley wide and Little Pat put some dangerous balls into the box, but we went in to half-time goalless. The game certainly felt winnable and a quick free-kick from Seamus early in the second half caught the Woodhall defence and keeper out, the ball nestling in the corner of the goal while they were thinking about making a wall. They were furious but the ref was having none of it. One nil.

The game got more untidy as the half wore on with both teams forgetting how to pass the ball. A kamikaze throw-in at the back nearly let Woodhall back in to the game as we struggled to gain control again. One of their better lads burst through again on a mazy run but fell to the floor injured as he broke into the box. They cried for a penalty but no one touched him. “He was too quick anyway”, said Jo Davy. They had no subs and so were down to 10 men for the final 20. Despite the man advantage, it was Woodhall who threatened again as a header from a corner came back off the woodwork. But the space opened up in attack and chances for the second goal were coming thick and fast. Cedric missed a great chance when well placed, and soon after Little Pat got taken down in the box for a clear penalty. Up stepped Seamus to bag his second of the game and secure the 3 points.

Man of the Match was Little Pat, with Seamus close in 2nd (pictures below). Special mention also to the back 5 for a well-earned clean sheet, the first in 12 months. The unbeaten start to the season continues apace!

OCTOBER EVENTS:

Latest from Yorkshire Ant-Fascist Network.

Leeds Anti-Fascist Network is an independent, grass roots activist group dedicated to combatting the rise of the far-right in West Yorkshire. LAFN DISCUSSION: RAPE AND RACE IN ROTHERHAM Wednesday 1st October 6pm, Packhorse Pub, Woodhouse Lane

The recent grooming scandal in Rotherham has seen a whole number of far-right, racist and establishment organisations seek to capitalise on the horrific sexual exploitation of thousands of young women. In this meeting we will be discussing what is really behind the grooming case in Rotherham, and why institutional sexism and class prejudice tell us more about this injustice than the racist myths of the far-right and the establishment.

LEEDS AFN MUSIC AND POETRY NIGHT 11TH OCTOBER, DOORS OPEN 8.30PM, CHEMIC TAVERN Donations Welcome.