01-11-10: Bradford Park Avenue (n) (Played at Valley Parade, Bradford) 1-5 (HT 0-3) Crowd (3,000)

Match Report: Yorkshire Evening Post: 1st November 1910: Courtesy Steve Bell

LEEDS CITY v. BRADFORD.

(WEST YORKSHIRE SENIOR CUP-FINAL).

This final tie in the West Riding Senior Cup Competition was played this afternoon at Valley Parade, Bradford, between Bradford and Leeds City. The two clubs met last Saturday, at Elland Road under League auspicies. They were then considered to be at their best strength, and as Leeds City for the first time gained a victory over the Bradford team, there was considerable speculation as to what the result would be this afternoon. There was only one change in the teams in comparison with Saturday, this being on the Bradford side, Handley replacing Scott at right half. Unfortunately for everybody concerned the weather was about at its worst, excepting for one or two fine intervals, rain had been falling in Bradford all day, and a cold turn in the wind helped to make matters more unfavourable. It was not to be wondered at, therefore, that there was only a handful of spectators at Valley Parade. A band under shelter of the main stand was doing its best to cheer things up before the game commenced.It was still raining when the teams entered the field and prospects of anything brilliant in the way of football were very remote.

Leeds City won the toss, and had the assistance in the first half, of a not very strong breeze, City were quickly in the Bradford half, but could not get seriously dangerous. Once over, Roberts had a shot at goal from the right, which Mason had no difficulty clearing. Just afterwards, however, there was a practically open goal for Enright on the Leeds left inside, did not take advantage of the opportunity.The advantage continued to rest with Leeds until Simpson and Thackeray got to work on the Bradford left, but there was no one to take the latter's centre, and the ball went back to Handley. That player, with a long shot, just kicked over the cross-bar. Each time the ball landed on the ground after a kick, it threw up sprays of water and skating exhibitions on the part of the players were common. The Leeds goal was again put into danger by the Bradford left-wing. Simpson gave the ball to Thackeray, but Bromage smartly saved. Neither side had the monopoly of attacking, for the Bradford goal was then threatened much more seriously than that of Leeds had been. Croot and Enright took the ball down the left, and it went to the centre with a splendid chance for Leeds. Gillespie, however, could not get to it, but Roberts caught it and sent in a good shot, which Mason managed to fist out.The ball then returned towards the goalmouth, but Burnison came to the rescue and in the end Bradford came successfully out of their difficulty. Leeds continued to have rather the better of the matter.

Once more the Bradford left wing asserted themselves. This time it was Simpson to the fore again, and Bromage had to be smart coming out. By this time there was a break in the downpour of rain. But there was a sudden change to the other end where Roberts was left with only Mason to deal with. The Leeds winger attempted to shoot the ball low down into the corner of the net, but Mason was equal to the emergency and saved at the expense of a corner.