Batelians give their all in Hodgson Cup semi-final defeat to Leeds City

Driving rain for much of the match meant challenging conditions but both sides played their part in a decent game which City controlled for long spells.

City took an 18th minute lead when Cyrus Azimikorf latched onto a through ball and slotted home from just inside the penalty area.

Azimikorf doubled the advantage with a similar goal after 35 minutes but Batelians fought back and having gone close with a header from one corner, Chris Goodair pulled one back from a second just before half-time.

City introduced Joe Fitzpatrick and Rinor Ejupi from the bench and within five minutes the former produced a calm finish to make it 3-1.

Ejupi added a fourth goal with a shot from the edge of the area that took a slight deflection.

Batelians continued to battle and pulled a second goal back when forward Razeb Raja lobbed the goalkeeper from 25 yards out but they were unable to prevent defeat.

Leeds City will play Middleton Park in the final at Campion FC on April 25 (kick off 7.30pm).

Batelians had reached the semi-finals after a penalty shoot out win the previous Saturday and it was a tired side who took to the field two days after their cup defeat.

Seven of the Batelians side who featured at Liversedge were in the starting line up for Saturday’s Yorkshire Amateur League Division Five clash against North Leeds Reserves, who ran out 4-1 winners.

North Leeds took the lead when the Batelians centre half scored an own goal from a corner

It remained 1-0 at half-time and North Leeds doubled their lead after the break when an attempted clearance by the goalkeeper hit a defender and bounced into the path of a forward, who slotted home.

Batelians conceded a free-kick which was fired home but they hit back when James Byrne’s shot was parried by the goalkeeper and Scott Milloy fired home the rebound.

Rob Bordman had an effort direct from a corner, while Batelians created a number of other chances but were unable to pull a second goal back and North Leeds completed the win with a fourth goal, which stood despite claims that the goal scorer was offside.

West End Park fought back from two goals down as they defeated Centralians 7-4.

West End have been on a poor run of form and appeared to be heading for another defeat when they trailed 2-0 after just five minutes.

Mylo Hooley led the fight back as he scored four goals, there was a brace from Jason Elliot and one from Dom Williams.

Dewsbury Rangers Reserves picked up only their second win of the season in Division Four as they overcame Thornesians Reserves 2-1.

Rangers have opened up a four point gap between them and Thornesians after the hard fought win.

Rangers are still seven points behind third-bottom Calverley Reserves with both teams having played 13 matches with seven remaining in the fight against relegation.