By
Daniel Cohen
Leeds & District Jubilee Trophy Round One
Leeds Maccabi 1st 3 AFC Waggon 1
A hat-trick from Curtis Bitton-Price eased Leeds Maccabi 1st into the second round of the Leeds & District Jubilee Trophy.
Leeds started the game brightly, taking the attack to their opposition and creating extreme pressure on the AFC goal.
However, 20 minutes into the game and against the run of play, AFC broke away from defence with the ball and countered quickly towards the Maccabi goal. The AFC forward, one-on-one with the Maccabi keeper, slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
This did not faze Maccabi though, who quickly regained control of the match. Half an hour into the first half, Maccabi equalised through a cross-shot from Bitton-Price which looped over the AFC keeper, leaving him stranded.
This was quickly followed by Maccabi’s second goal. After excellent work, Dave Woolman was brought down 20 yards from goal. Up stepped Bitton-Price and, with the help of some poor goalkeeping, he scored directly from the free kick to make it 2-0.
Maccabi continued to dominate for the rest of the half and their hard work paid off when, with only a few seconds remaining before half time, ,b>Bitton-Price completed his hat-trick. He went clean through on goal and from the edge of the box, he hit a pile-driver into the top left corner.
The second half was a pretty dull affair with neither team able to create chances. The game petered out and the second half finished the same scoreline as the first, 3-1 to Maccabi.
A special mention must go out to Bruce Bitton who, due to an injury crisis, went in goal for the first time in 15 years. So, he had a great view of his son’s hat-trick and got the win.
Maccabi manager Ian Selwyn told JC Sport: "I'm absolutely delighted to be through to the next round of the district cup.
"Hopefully we’ll take this form into our league game next week, away to Queenswood.”
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