Sporting Armley remain at the foot of the All Sports Awards league table following a disappointing 3-2 defeat at the hands of table toppers Wortley Reserves.
John Moses returned in goal with former captain Glenn King returning for his first start of the season at centre back alongside Darren Ford, Jonathan James and Phil Wheeler.
With few striking options to call upon, caretaker manager Wayne Howe opted for a 5 man midfield, with Gareth Knight up front as a lone striker. Captain Kevin Bruce returned from holiday to take his place in the centre alongside Richard Moses and James Lee. Liam Robinson and Michael Bowe compeleted the line-up on either wing.
It took some time for Armley to get to grips with the new formation, and unfortunately they fell 2-0 behind within the first 20 minutes. The first goal in particular was a wonder strike from the edge of the box that left John Moses with no chance.
Wortley were hitting high balls direct to their big strikers, and so Howe moved Darren Ford out to right back, and brought Jonathan James back into the middle. The change appeared to work as Armley began to create chances of their own, with Liam Robinson the main orchestrator on the left wing.
Every time he got the ball he looked dangerous, and he was eventually brought down in the box to earn Armley a penalty, which James Lee cooly converted from the spot.
There was a feeling about Armley's luck changing, especially when they escaped conceding a third goal when Wortley struck the crossbar twice and then had a third shot cleared off the line. At the other end, Liam Robinson came close with a series of corner kicks and another solo run and shot from the edge of the box that just fizzed the post.
There were cries of penalty when James Lee dribbled his way into the box and was brought down. Although on his way to ground, Lee managed to hit a dangerous cross into the 6 yard box which Kevin Bruce pounced on but fired inches wide. The referee denied Lee another penalty on the grounds he had already played an advantage.
In the second half Armley got the equaliser they deserved when Gareth Knight laid the ball back to James Lee on the edge of the box. He cut inside and curled a fantastic shot from the outside the box which struck the underside of the crossbar and in. It was his 8th goal in 9 games this season.
The momentum had finally swung in Armley's direction, but they failed to push on and get the winning goal. Eventually that momentum was destroyed when Wortley hit Armley on the counter attack and struck the winning goal from close range.
In the closing minutes substitute Elliott Stubbs found himself racing clear on goal following a neat through ball from James Lee, but was being held back by the Wortley defenders. Because he was being grabbed, Stubbs' eventual shot was weak and easily saved by the goalkeeper. Penalty claims waved away by the referee once again and Wortley held out for all three points.
Caretaker manager Wayne Howe was disappointed with the result, but delighted by the performance of his players. If they carry on playing like that, there is no way they will be at the bottom of the table for much longer.
