Leeds Sunday Alliance Premier Division
Leeds Maccabi 1st 5
AFC Waggon 4
Adam Gilman’s late winner rounded off a pulsating nine-goal thriller as Leeds Maccabi edged out AFC Waggon in the Sunday Alliance Premier Division.
Midfielder Gilman headed home Curtis Bitton-Price’s cross in injury-time to send boss Ian Selwyn into raptures as Maccabi picked up three priceless points against their title rivals.
Maccabi had led on four occasions, only for Waggon to hit back each time to level the game and move to within touching distance of a draw.
But Gilman’s late, late show, left the visitors shattered and allowed Selwyn to reflect on a breathless affair.
“It was a really crazy game,” said the Leeds boss.
“It was a great game, really unbelievable in conditions, which really weren’t great for football.
“Both teams played some really nice football but when Adam scored at the end, well, the celebrations really started.
“I’m really thrilled with the win and if we can win our games in hand then we can still catch the league leaders.”
Maccabi are 12 points behind leaders New Ireland Wood, but have played three games fewer and are back in form following a titanic tussle with AFC Waggon.
Leeds made a spectacular start to the game as Steven Berke fired Maccabi ahead with a spectacular strike from the halfway line.
The central defender launched the ball downfield and then watched on as a rogue bounce left the goalkeeper red faced and nestled in the back of the net.
That lead only last a matter of minutes as the visitors hit back with Elliot Jackson inexplicably volleying the ball into his own net.
That was just the beginning of the see-saw nature of the game as Maccabi moved ahead once again as Berke powered home a bullet header from close-range.
Again, Waggon refused to die and a stunning curling effort from 18-yards ensured they went in level at the break.
The second-half was just as frenetic and Maccabi restored their advantage when Jackson atoned for his own-goal by heading in from six-yards.
That goal looked to have killed off the visitors, but just as Maccabi had looked to have weathered the storm, a deflected free-kick fell kindly for the Waggon striker, who fired home.
Maccabi, missing top scorer Dave Woolman and midfielder Richard Black, then took the lead once again as Rob Brown volleyed home to make it 4-3.
But they were pegged back just minutes by a wonderful flowing move which resulted in an astonishing fourth equaliser.
With time running out and the game seemingly heading for a draw, Maccabi pushed forward for one last final attack and somehow managed to find the crucial goal.
Bitton-Price went down the wing, picked out the figure of Gilman and the midfielder sent a header into the back of the net to settle an incredible game.
“It was a great win and hopefully we can finish the year with another next week when we play against Republic International,” said Selwyn.
“We’d like to go out on a high and then come back for our first game in the New Year ready to build on our good work.”