I ventured north up the M1 on a Friday night surprised at how light the traffic was.

I was heading for the John Charles Centre for Sport and the next door South Leeds Stadium. This multi sport complex is know for the home of Hunslet Rugby League Club but mote recently as the home of South Leeds F.C.

The game I was to see was between two relatively new teams to the Northern Counties East League. It was a dry evening after a lovely warm autumn week but the temperature at 14 degrees with a clear sky was dropping and was made colder by a strong breeze

This modern sports complex boasts a lot of easy parking spaces and you approach the stadium with a little awe at its exterior. After climbing some spiral concrete steps you come out into a large modern all seated covered stand which dominates one side from which you could see the twinkling high rise centre of the City.

The other three sides are open with no spectator access. The modern grass weave playing surface is flat and is surrounded by a running track. A great view of the pitch but it is a long way away.

The playing surface was very flat and consisted of a modern grass weave configuration.

South Leeds F.C. were previously known as Middleton F.C. forming only in 2017. They raced through the Yorkshire Amateur Leagues winning the Supreme Division in 2024 to be promoted to the Northern Counties East League this season.

Shelley by contrast started life around 1903 and played most of their football in the Huddersfield and District leagues until they folded in 1972. They were reformed in 1980 and moved to their current home in 2011 which underwent redevelopment to become fully open in 2015. That was a catalyst to herald promotions in the Huddersfield and District league, the West Yorkshire Association League and final promotion to the North West Counties which they resigned from due to the fall out from the Covid Pandemic. They returned to the West Yorkshire Association League when after only two seasons they were re-elected back to the North West Counties League. This though only lasted for one season as they have now been transferred to the Northern Counties East Division 1 following an F.A. Re-organisation of teams in the Yorkshire, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire areas.

South Leeds F.C. 2 Shelley F.C. 2

Friday 20th September 2024 Kick off 19,45 pm

Northern Counties East Football League Division 1 17th V 11th

John Charles Centre for Sport, South Leeds Stadium, Belle Isle, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS11 5DJ

 South Leeds; Green shirts with a yellow and white sash across the front, green shorts with white edging around the legs. Shelley; Red and black vertical striped shirts with black shorts.

The game was very fast helped by the numerous ball boys handing back balls to quicken play. The ball boys then rushing off to retrieve the ball disappearing over the running track.

The away team soon took the lead when on 7 minutes Klein Gwerno received a pass at the back post and buried it into the net in the opposite corner. Both teams kept up the pace and South Leeds equalised on 21 minutes when a long ball out of their defence went over the Shelley back line for Benjamin Agu to run on to. He won the race to the ball and expertly chipped it over the advancing goalkeeper into the middle of the goal.

Shelley came closest to breaking the deadlock before half time but the home sides goalkeeper made two fine stops.

1.1 at the restart and with no other tempo than hurried and with most final passes going astray, Shelley retook the lead on 55 minutes when a mishap by a Leeds defender let in James Bootland to run through and slide the ball under the home keeper. However within 2 minutes South Leeds were back level when from a corner the ball was headed twice against the cross bar before James Law finally headed it home.

Both teams tried to get a winner with Shelley pushing the hardest but in injury time South Leeds came closest when hitting the crossbar.

South Leeds will have been happy to end a series of recent poor results whereas Shelley may have been disappointed in not winning and moving further up the table. The home side might consider more Friday night matches as the attendance of 167 was 50 up on their last home league game that was played on a Saturday.

The chips were a high priced £4 but the large full tray was hot, crispy, tasty, no greasy after taste, were cooked fresh and scored a very good 72.