Guiseley AFC Archives - Caught In Action Collection

Cricket’s County Champions Yorks CCC take on LawBlacks in the name of charity

by Dave Maud | Dec 4, 2014 | Editorial

You would not expect to see Andrew Gale and Tim Bresnan on the touchline of a Conference football ground on a cold December evening. But these genial giants of the cricketing world, along with their county colleagues answered the call to play to help the Marie Curie charity.

Their opponents from the legal world, LawBlacks from Leeds. Bolstered by guesting ex-professional footballers, Ken Monkau (Chelsea, Southampton, Huddersfield Town), John Hendrie (Coventry City, Bradford City, Newcastle Utd, Leeds Utd, Middlesbrough, Barnsley), Wayne Jacobs (Bradford City) and ex England and Yorkshire cricketer Anthony McGrath.

Resplendent in Guiseley’s daffodil yellow kit, Yorkshire cut quite a dash. Playing as a unit, keeping their shape and formation. Allowing Will Rhodes to push forward when Richard Pyrah and Andrew Gale dropped back with Bressie leading the line. The number 9 showed his all-round football abilities scoring with a superbly timed header in the first half and neat footwork to round the keeper in the second. Whilst next season’s beneficiary Pyrah bagged a brace and an ankle tap or two for his troubles.

There really was no respite for the legal eagles.

The cricketers’ strength and conditioning coach, Ian Fisher led by example with his rangy runs down the left flank. He must certainly have been pleased by his charges’ stamina and pace in sapping underfoot conditions.

The second half commenced with a change of referee and an upturn in LawBlack’s fortunes. With John Hendrie relinquishing the whistle and providing more purpose up front and the perfect foil for the rampaging Anthony McGrath. Despite Hendrie’s trickery and McGrath’s bluster, Steve Patterson marshalled his Yorkshire back four to repel all invaders. On the few occasions Blacks broke down the Tykes’ stout defence they could find no way past keeper Richard Damms. Whose shot-stopping in the post-match penalty shoot-out competition proved sublime. No corridor of uncertainty for Richard.

Whilst the match was played for charity, neither side conceded an inch on the pitch, tackles were robust as both Tim and Richard can testify to, but played in true spirit.

Given the lighting of the ground, all shots were taken between 1/800 and 1/1000 of a second using large apertures set between 1.8 and 2.8. This gave a razor-thin depth of field so focusing had to be extremely accurate on the intended player.

Leeds the Italian Revolution

by Dave Maud | Jul 20, 2014 | Editorial

The Elland Road faithful are on tenterhooks as the clock ticks down to kick off at Nethermoor. The times are a changing at Leeds. With talisman captain, Ross McCormack sold to fellow championship contenders Fulham. New coach, David Hockaday in situ. The Italian revolution is in full swing orchestrated by owner Massimo Cellino. Who happily chats and poses for fans’ photographs.

A full house greets Leeds starting 11. Which features new signings Marco Silvestri, Tomasso Bianchi and Soulamayne Doukara. The latest signing, Swiss international prised from Sampdoria, Gaetano Berardi, is missing from the line-up. Presumably due to his registration not being fully processed.

My brief besides capturing match action was to ensure shots were obtained of the new signings. Identification was made more difficult by the fact that the Leeds team sheet did not include numbers. I opted to shoot the Guiseley attack in the first half. This would provide the opportunity to bag crisp shots of keeper Silvestri. As it was Silvestri remained untroubled for his 60-minute appearance. But he appeared confident in organising his defensive line.

Doukara had a snap shot well saved by the Guiseley keeper Steve Drench and another goal-bound effort blocked. Both his and Bianchi 60 minute cameos showed glimpses of promise. Leeds looked to play a passing game. It will take time for the new players and systems to bed in.

The wholesale changes made on the 60-minute mark sparked more impetus from United and with the clock running down they broke the deadlock.

Aiden White took a long corner which Jason Pearce met with a looping header that evaded both keeper and defenders to give Leeds the lead.

With the clock ticking down the visitors doubled the score courtesy of a Sam Byram cross into the path of Matt Smith who hit the shot without breaking stride from 10 yards out.

On a hot and humid day, David Hockaday will have been pleased to have earned the victory against the Conference North team who at the beginning of each half more than matched Leeds for their guile and pace.