I was back in Leicestershire this Saturday, for a first visit of the season to the Leicestershire Senior League, and there was only one place to be, Beaumont Park. Home side Leicester Atletico were taking on very near neighbours Anstey Town. Anstey is just over the A46 from Beaumont Park, but the club's are actually much closer than that. Anstey also play their home games at Beaumont Park. To add to that, there were also some pretty compelling statistics to make this a must see game. Atletico started the day top of the table with a 100% record after eight games. Anstey sat in fourth spot, four points back but having played a game more. Anstey, however, came into the game with a 100% away record. So, something had to give today. Anstey are also, of course, the reigning Senior League Champions.
This was also a clash of the two tightest defences in the league. Atletico had conceded just six in their eight games. Anstey had conceded eight in nine games. So, this was always going to be a close encounter that maybe even a single goal would seal.
Thanks to referee David Clarke for sharing the team sheets prior to kick-off.
This was also a clash of the two tightest defences in the league. Atletico had conceded just six in their eight games. Anstey had conceded eight in nine games. So, this was always going to be a close encounter that maybe even a single goal would seal.
Thanks to referee David Clarke for sharing the team sheets prior to kick-off.
Joe Harris opening the scoring As early as the second minute, Ali Ashkir got the first strike on target for Atletico, but it was a comfortable stop for Darren Taylor. This was to become a feature of the game, Atletico shots failing to make Taylor work hard.
Atletico continued to knock the ball about with some confidence, but it was by no means one-way traffic. In fact, it was a fairly even opening to the game, with neither keeper having to do too much. This all changed in the 14th minute when Anstey were awarded a free-kick 35 yards on their left side. Jake McLeary lofted the ball into the box where Anstey captain Joe Harris had got free. The centre-half managed to rise higher than home keeper George Robinson and defender Kieran Hefford, to glance the ball into the net. 0-1
As you would expect from the league leaders, the goal sparked some response and the home side began to dominate possession but without causing the visiting defenders too much trouble. Zak Bham did finally make Taylor work but, even though the keeper had to get down to the shot, it was still a fairly comfortable stop.
A minute later Atletico had quite a vociferous penalty appeal when a diagonal ball into the box, looking for Ashkir, saw Taylor race off his line. The two players came together with the home player ending in a heap. The referee signalled no penalty, much to the ire of the home players and bench. To be honest, from the opposite end of the ground, it was impossible to get a clear view.
The incident did nothing to ease the underlying feeling that there were a few local scores being settled on the pitch. Diminutive home number 10 Hamdi Barreh, in particular, seemed to be getting some special treatment from the visiting players. Maybe some history there?
Atletico continued to hold sway ion terms of possession throughout the remainder of the half. Diego Ramos had a good strike fly just over the bar and Hefford let rip from 30 yards just before the break. However, the theme continued. Darren Taylor was fairly unruffled between the Town sticks. His opposite number, George Robinson, had also not had a lot to do, apart from picking the ball out of the net once.
HT Leicester Atletico 0 Anstey Town 1. A very tight contest as you would expect between two high-flying sides. Leicester definitely having more of the ball, but neither goalkeeper has been particularly stretched. Whilst there hasn't been any real incident, there's undoubtedly a local derby feeling to the game.
Atletico continued to knock the ball about with some confidence, but it was by no means one-way traffic. In fact, it was a fairly even opening to the game, with neither keeper having to do too much. This all changed in the 14th minute when Anstey were awarded a free-kick 35 yards on their left side. Jake McLeary lofted the ball into the box where Anstey captain Joe Harris had got free. The centre-half managed to rise higher than home keeper George Robinson and defender Kieran Hefford, to glance the ball into the net. 0-1
As you would expect from the league leaders, the goal sparked some response and the home side began to dominate possession but without causing the visiting defenders too much trouble. Zak Bham did finally make Taylor work but, even though the keeper had to get down to the shot, it was still a fairly comfortable stop.
A minute later Atletico had quite a vociferous penalty appeal when a diagonal ball into the box, looking for Ashkir, saw Taylor race off his line. The two players came together with the home player ending in a heap. The referee signalled no penalty, much to the ire of the home players and bench. To be honest, from the opposite end of the ground, it was impossible to get a clear view.
The incident did nothing to ease the underlying feeling that there were a few local scores being settled on the pitch. Diminutive home number 10 Hamdi Barreh, in particular, seemed to be getting some special treatment from the visiting players. Maybe some history there?
Atletico continued to hold sway ion terms of possession throughout the remainder of the half. Diego Ramos had a good strike fly just over the bar and Hefford let rip from 30 yards just before the break. However, the theme continued. Darren Taylor was fairly unruffled between the Town sticks. His opposite number, George Robinson, had also not had a lot to do, apart from picking the ball out of the net once.
HT Leicester Atletico 0 Anstey Town 1. A very tight contest as you would expect between two high-flying sides. Leicester definitely having more of the ball, but neither goalkeeper has been particularly stretched. Whilst there hasn't been any real incident, there's undoubtedly a local derby feeling to the game.
Atletico looking for a way back The second half began in the same mould as the first. Atletico taking control of the ball, but not quite able to generate a genuine goalscoring opportunity. Having said that, five minutes in Ryan Lovett did find himself unmarked at the far post but, having to take the chance quickly, he couldn't make a clean contact with the volley, putting it well wide.
Barren continued to get some fairly rough treatment, one such tackle resulting in a free-kick just on the hour mark. Barreh himself took it but, once again, Taylor was able to make a comfortable stop. Ashkir was the next to find himself with a half-chance, but from a tight angle he could only shoot straight at Taylor.
At this point Anstey were not posing any great threat to the home team, seemingly quite happy to defend their one goal lead and, to be honest, looking relatively comfortable in doing so. They were, possibly, lucky to keep 11 on the pitch, however. Another altercation involving Barreh saw Josh McNamara push the winger away with a hand to the face. It was after the ball had gone, so the referee was not looking, but it was on the same side as the assistant. Luckily for the Town defender, it appears no-one got a view of it.
With just over 15 minutes of the game remaining, Anstey struck again, against the run of play. Josh O'Brien, who had worked tirelessly down the right side all game, launched a long throw into the home area. Leicester failed to clear the ball effectively and there was Conor Jackson to volley the ball into the ground and over Robinson's dive. 0-2
Two goals to the good with under a quarter of an hour remaining, Anstey could smell victory. They did, however, have one scare to deal with before the end. Ali Ashkir's 83rd minute free-kick took a skip off the plastic in front on Taylor, causing the goalkeeper to finally spill a shot, but his defence was switched on enough to hack the ball clear.
Jackson then had a golden opportunity to put the cherry on the cake when sent clear of the home defence, but could only fire over. In the end, it didn't matter. Atletico's 100% start to the season had gone, Anstey's 100% away record remained intact.
FT Leicester Atletico 0 Anstey Town 2. A great example of game management from Anstey. They saw less of the ball then their hosts, but defended well and restricted the home side to few chances. Meanwhile, when they got a chance, they took it. The result, combined with Magna's 3-0 home defeat and Loughborough Students draw, sees Leicester stay top but Anstey climb into second spot now just a point adrift. However, Atletico have a game in hand.
Next week Leicester Atletico are back at home as they welcome Thurnby Rangers in the League Cup. Anstey are also at home in league action against mid-table Friar Lane & Epworth.
Leicester Atletico: 1.Robinson, 2.Pathan, 5.Hefford, 15.Hussein, 3.Sandhu, 12.Dassu, 6.Ramos, 4.Ashkir, 10.Barreh, 16.Lovett, 11.Bham. Subs: 14.Osman, 8.Onochie, 7.Bloxham, 9.Djalo, 18.Hogsade
Anstey Town: 1.Taylor, 2.O'Brien, 3.Graham, 4.J.Harris(c), 5.Preston, 16.McLeary, 14.McNamara, 10.Z.Harris, 8.Barsby, 18.Connerstag, 12.Jackson. Subs: 11.Burton, 7.Page, 19.Daniels, 18.King, 20.Wallace
Barren continued to get some fairly rough treatment, one such tackle resulting in a free-kick just on the hour mark. Barreh himself took it but, once again, Taylor was able to make a comfortable stop. Ashkir was the next to find himself with a half-chance, but from a tight angle he could only shoot straight at Taylor.
At this point Anstey were not posing any great threat to the home team, seemingly quite happy to defend their one goal lead and, to be honest, looking relatively comfortable in doing so. They were, possibly, lucky to keep 11 on the pitch, however. Another altercation involving Barreh saw Josh McNamara push the winger away with a hand to the face. It was after the ball had gone, so the referee was not looking, but it was on the same side as the assistant. Luckily for the Town defender, it appears no-one got a view of it.
With just over 15 minutes of the game remaining, Anstey struck again, against the run of play. Josh O'Brien, who had worked tirelessly down the right side all game, launched a long throw into the home area. Leicester failed to clear the ball effectively and there was Conor Jackson to volley the ball into the ground and over Robinson's dive. 0-2
Two goals to the good with under a quarter of an hour remaining, Anstey could smell victory. They did, however, have one scare to deal with before the end. Ali Ashkir's 83rd minute free-kick took a skip off the plastic in front on Taylor, causing the goalkeeper to finally spill a shot, but his defence was switched on enough to hack the ball clear.
Jackson then had a golden opportunity to put the cherry on the cake when sent clear of the home defence, but could only fire over. In the end, it didn't matter. Atletico's 100% start to the season had gone, Anstey's 100% away record remained intact.
FT Leicester Atletico 0 Anstey Town 2. A great example of game management from Anstey. They saw less of the ball then their hosts, but defended well and restricted the home side to few chances. Meanwhile, when they got a chance, they took it. The result, combined with Magna's 3-0 home defeat and Loughborough Students draw, sees Leicester stay top but Anstey climb into second spot now just a point adrift. However, Atletico have a game in hand.
Next week Leicester Atletico are back at home as they welcome Thurnby Rangers in the League Cup. Anstey are also at home in league action against mid-table Friar Lane & Epworth.
Leicester Atletico: 1.Robinson, 2.Pathan, 5.Hefford, 15.Hussein, 3.Sandhu, 12.Dassu, 6.Ramos, 4.Ashkir, 10.Barreh, 16.Lovett, 11.Bham. Subs: 14.Osman, 8.Onochie, 7.Bloxham, 9.Djalo, 18.Hogsade
Anstey Town: 1.Taylor, 2.O'Brien, 3.Graham, 4.J.Harris(c), 5.Preston, 16.McLeary, 14.McNamara, 10.Z.Harris, 8.Barsby, 18.Connerstag, 12.Jackson. Subs: 11.Burton, 7.Page, 19.Daniels, 18.King, 20.Wallace
Beaumont Park
The Ground
Beaumont Park is home to De Montford University sports teams and boasts a number of sports pitches for rugby, football, lacrosse and American football. Situated to the North of Leicester city centre, the complex has Leicester Speedway Stadium on one side and the Walkers Crisps factory behind. Considering there are at a number of full-size pitches at the site, the car park is surprisingly small. Access from the car park is through a small gate next to the main gates. There's a large building that houses the changing rooms, toilets and a lounge area that has vendor machines selling snacks and hot drinks. Leicester Atletico plays their games on the all-weather pitch situated closest to the main building. It's pretty much a standard, caged artificial surface pitch. Spectator access is limited to two sides, although there is a covered standing area opposite the dugouts. One thing I noticed, and this may well have been an optical solution, but the playing surface appeared to slope slightly way from the clubhouse building end. I'll be honest, the two grass pitches next to the artificial pitch, looked much more appealing.
Ground Number: 466
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
Beaumont Park is home to De Montford University sports teams and boasts a number of sports pitches for rugby, football, lacrosse and American football. Situated to the North of Leicester city centre, the complex has Leicester Speedway Stadium on one side and the Walkers Crisps factory behind. Considering there are at a number of full-size pitches at the site, the car park is surprisingly small. Access from the car park is through a small gate next to the main gates. There's a large building that houses the changing rooms, toilets and a lounge area that has vendor machines selling snacks and hot drinks. Leicester Atletico plays their games on the all-weather pitch situated closest to the main building. It's pretty much a standard, caged artificial surface pitch. Spectator access is limited to two sides, although there is a covered standing area opposite the dugouts. One thing I noticed, and this may well have been an optical solution, but the playing surface appeared to slope slightly way from the clubhouse building end. I'll be honest, the two grass pitches next to the artificial pitch, looked much more appealing.
Ground Number: 466
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
A late Atletico attack
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