Match Report: Yorkshire Evening Post: 17th April 1909: Courtesy Steve Bell
LEEDS CITY v. BRADFORD CITY
VISITORS SCORE EARLY
HONOURS EASY AT HALF-TIME
POOR GATE AT ELLAND ROAD
(WEST YORKSHIRE CUP - FINAL.)
The thirteenth final for the chief local Association trophy took place at the Leeds Ground, Elland Road. Although the cup had already been won twelve times, it had only been in the possession of Hunslet, Altofts, Huddersfield, Bradford City and Leeds City, the success of two have the clubs having run in cycles. There has not been much local colour about the competition, however, since 1904, when Altofts triumphed. Then followed the Reserves of Bradford City and Leeds City, and Bradford respectively, and with their advent, the chances of the local elevens has dwindled to vanishing point.
This afternoon the match took place in blustery weather, and the following players represented their respective clubs:-
Leeds City: Bromage, goal; McKeown and Murray, backs; Smith, Kennedy, and MacDonald, half-backs; Joynes, Astill, Bowman, Pickard and Dougal, forwards.
Bradford City: Felstead, goal; Roberts and Hancock, backs; Bird, Higginson and Millar, half-backs; Kenworthy, Whittaker, Leese, Smith and Gould, forwards.
Mr G. Wilde of Altofts, had charge of the game, and play started before 4,000 spectators. Bromage won the toss for Leeds, and this initial success gave the home side the use of a strong breeze in the first half. The backs of both teams were quickly occupied after the kick off, but the Bradford forwards were playing better together than their opponents, and with only five minutes gone, the Valley Parade men went to the front through Whittaker, who shot from close quarters, giving Bromage no chance. This success was followed by a sharp attack, on the left wing, which Bromage repulsed. The next incident was a penalty against Roberts for a foul on Bowman, and Murray scored finely from the ensuing kick. Even at this period the play was decidedly slow, but still Bradford showed a slight superiority. Following a feeble attack on the home left, Bradford attacked strongly by the aid of Whittaker, who outpaced Murray. The ball remained in the vacinity of Bromage for a time, the Leeds charge escaping on two occasions rather luckily. On one occasion the ball hit Kennedy while he was kneeling on the ground, while immediately afterwards Kenworthy rattled the bar. Keeping up the pressure Smith shot into the hands of Bromage, the ball shooting upwards and over the bar. With twenty-three minutes gone Millar put Bradford ahead with a hard lofty shot from the middle line that completely deceived Bromage.
When the home front line did attack there was little or no method in their work, the men often getting in each other's way. A long run in by Bowman and a successful shot after beating the backs for the ball put Leeds on equal terms againat the end of thirty-five minutes play. And in this particular case the visiting backs blundered badly as both were too far up the field and Hancock missed the ball with his head near the centre line. The following exchanges were generally in favour of the home men, but the attacks were not seriously developed. On the other Gould forced a corner off McKeown.
Half-time score:- Leeds City 2 goals Bradford City 2 goals
The second half opened briskly. The Leeds goal was quickly assailed, and their front line returned the compliment with interest immediately after. Play continued to favour the Elland Roaders, but owing to the sturdy defence of Hancock and Roberts, and the chronic weakness of the forward line, goals came not.
RESULT:- LEEDS CITY RESERVES 2 BRADFORD CITY RESERVES 3
Match Report: Yorkshire Post: 19th April 1909: Courtesy Steve Bell
WEST YORKSHIRE CUP FINAL.
LEEDS CITY v. BRADFORD CITY.
BRADFORD CITY RESERVES SUCCESSFUL IN POOR GAME.
The thirteenth final for the possession of the chief local Association trophy in West Yorkshire was played on the ground of the Leeds City Club, before 5,000 spectators, receipts amounting to £104 16s 9d. Bradford City's representatives were ultimately successful by the odd goal in five, although the result was doubtful until well into the second half. The visitors thoroughly deserved their victory, however, as they played the best game throughout. Method was always noticeable in their work, while the home men gave a disjointed exhibition.
Leeds City had the use of a stiff cross-wind in the first half, but at the end of five minutes' play the Bradford men were a goal in front. The ball had been manoeuvered effectively in front of the home goal before Whittaker shot through from close quarters. Bradford did not maintain their advantage long, however, as Murray scored for Leeds with a penalty kick for a foul by Roberts on Bowman. The subsequent exchanges greatly favoured the visitors, the Leeds goal escaping somewhat luckily on two occasuions. First Kennedy stopped the ball while kneeling on the ground, and immediately afterwards Kenworthy rattled the bar with a slashing shot.
Mr G. Wilde of Altofts, had charge of the game, and play started before 4,000 spectators. Bromage won the toss for Leeds, and this initial success gave the home side the use of a strong breeze in the first half. The backs of both teams were quickly occupied after the kick off, but the Bradford forwards were playing better together than their opponents, and with only five minutes gone, the Valley Parade men went to the front through Whittaker, who shot from close quarters, giving Bromage no chance. This success was followed by a sharp attack, on the left wing, which Bromage repulsed. The next incident was a penalty against Roberts for a foul on Bowman, and Murray scored finely from the ensuing kick. Even at this period the play was decidedly slow, but still Bradford showed a slight superiority. Following a feeble attack on the home left, Bradford attacked strongly by the aid of Whittaker, who outpaced Murray. The ball remained in the vacinity of Bromage for a time, the Leeds charge escaping on two occasions rather luckily. On one occasion the ball hit Kennedy while he was kneeling on the ground, while immediately afterwards Kenworthy rattled the barwith a slashing shot. A little later Smith (Bradford) shot into the hands of Bromage, the force of the kick was so great that the ball afterwards bounced over the bar. With twenty-three minutes gone Bradford once more took the lead, Millar sending in a lofty dropping shot that completely deceived Bromage, as it swerved considerably. Twelve minutes later the total was once again levelled. Bradford were attacking with the backs standing near the centre line. The ball suddenly came to Roberts who tried to head it, but failed and it became a race between Bowman and the Bradford backs. The Leeds centre showed good judgement, and ultimately scored with a long ground shot. As no more scoring took place in this half the teams swung round on an equality of two goals each.
The second half was much more interesting than the first, the Leeds men showing surprising form for a time. On several occasions their midfield work was satisfactory, but the final efforts were never forceful enough to produce goals. Bradford on the other hand, were often exceedingly dangerous at close quarters, but failed to score and a draw seemed probable.. It was not to be, however, as a glaring blunder by Murray let in Whittaker, who scored with a lightning shot from close quarters. The Leeds back, after failing to stop his man, made no attempt whatever to retrieve his mistake. With this goal the interest almost evapourated and the game ended with the score:- Bradford City 3 goals Leeds City 2 goals
Teams:-
Bradford City: Felstead, goal; Roberts and Hancock, backs; Bird, Higginson and Millar, half-backs; Kenworthy, Whitaker, Leese, Smith and Gould, forwards.
Leeds City: Bromage, goal; McKeown and Murray, backs; Smith, Kennedy, and MacDonald, half-backs; Joynes, Astill, Bowman, Pickard and Dougal, forwards.
Referee Mr G. Wylde, Altofts.
