Match Report: Yorkshire Post: 23rd February 1905: Courtesy Steve Bell
LEICESTER FOSSE TEAM IN LEEDS.
The authorities of the Leicester Fosse Club, whose team are to help to further West Riding interest in class Association football by playing an exhibition game with the Leeds City club at Elland Road, Leeds, on Saturday, have selected the following team for the match.:-
Smith, goal; Bennett and Robinson, backs; Pollock, Bannister, and Collins, half-backs; Durran, Blessington, Evenson, Mounteney, and Allsopp, forwards.
The side is a strong one, and it will tax all the energies of the Leeds City team to beat them. Bannister played last season with Woolwich Arsenal, and has also figured in the English International side. Durran, the outside right, played for the South against the North last season, and is said to be Fosse's best forward. Bennett and Allsopp - the latter is the Leicestershire County cricketer - both played for Luton last season, and Pollock is an old Notts County man. It will be seen, therefore, that the team is a very good one. Given fine weather a good trial of strength can be anticipated.
Match Report: Yorkshire Evening Post: 25th February 1905: Courtesy Steve Bell
LEEDS CITY v. LEICESTER FOSSE.
EASY VICTORY FOR THE SECOND LEAGUERS.
LEEDS CITY BEATEN AT ALL POINTS.
Leicester is one of the few places in England where the two codes of football attract a considerable following, and, as it is hoped that the same state of affairs will obtain in Leeds in the near future, Leicester Fosse's visit to the Leeds City ground this afternoon was very appropriate. Mr Tordoff took charge of the men. Leeds had to operate with the sun in their eyes. Loose play characterised the opening, but the Leicester men showed up best. Chaffer having several shots to stop early in the game. He never had any difficulty in clearing, however, and Leeds attacked by the aid of Spiksley, G. Howard and F. Howard. Storey also played a prominent part for the City, breaking up the combination of the Fosse forwards on several occasions. A pretty movement by the whole of the Fosse forward line carried play to the home goal mouth, where it hovered for a time, but eventually Blessington got possession and beat Chaffer from short range.
Immediately after the restart Mounteney tested the home goalkeeper with a stinging shot. At this period Leeds were acting strictly on the defensive, as in addition to the sun, they had the wind against them. Chaffer conceded a corner. The ball was well placed, but Allsopp fastened on the ball, and scored Leicester's second point. Austin executed a fine individual movement on the Leeds left. After beating half back, back and goalkeeper, who ran out of his place, he sent the ball across the goal mouth, and the other forwards being up, Hunt tipped the ball into the net, to the gratification of the home supporters. Leicester had the best of matters afterwards, but at the interval the score stood:-
Leicester Fosse 2 goals Leeds City 1 goal
On the resumption play settled in the Leicester half, but it did not remain in that position long as the Fosse forwards got going, and Chaffer had to defend his charge from long shots sent in from various angles. A shot from Blessington's foot proved too much for him, and thus the visitors were two goals in front.
RESULT:- LEICESTER FOSSE 5 goals LEEDS CITY 1 goal
Match Report: Yorkshire Post: 27th February 1905: Courtesy Steve Bell
LEEDS CITY V. LEICESTER FOSSE.
Played at Holbeck, before 1,500 spectators. Leeds had to battle against both wind and sun in the first half, consequently the Leicester men had most of the play, and opened the scoring through Blessington. A well placed corner kick led up to the second goal for the visitors, Allsopp beating Chaffer from near the goal mouth. Before the interval Austin executed the best individual effort of the match on behalf of Leeds City. Securing the ball on the left wing near the centre line, he beat all opposition, and centring finely from near the Leicester goal line, Hunt put the ball through, and the teams crossed over with the Fosse leading by two goals to one.
The first few minutes of the second half promised well for Leeds, but their efforts always lacked finishing strength. Without any great exertion Leicester Fosse not only kept the Leeds men from scoring but added to their own total by aid of Blessington (2) and Mounteney.
Result:- Leicester Fosse 5 goals Leeds City 1 goal
Teams:-
Leeds City: W.E. Chaffer, goal; Bintcliffe and McGuiness, backs; G. Lewis, C.W. Storey (captain), and Jones, half-backs; Spiksley, G. Howard, F. Howard, Hunt, and R.L Austin, forwards.
Leiocester Fosse: Smith, goal; Bennett and Robinson, backs; Pollock, Bannister, and Collins, half-backs; Durran, Blessington, Mounteney, Stewart, and Allsopp, forwards.
Referee: Mr Tordoff.
