Sporting Armley progressed to the last 16 of the Leeds District Cup with an emphatic win over Beeston United.
Manager Jason Lovett was unable to call on any of his recognised centre backs, with Richard Moses, Johnathan James and Darren Ford all unavailable. He therefore shuffled the pack, pairing Gareth Knight and Phil Wheeler as his two centre backs in front of John Moses in goal.
Wayne Howe took up Wheeler's usual position at right back, with Mark Pearson on the opposite side. With captain Kevin Bruce absent also, Mike Bowe partnered James Lee in centre mid, with Karl Smith on the right and new signing Matt Marshall (aka Smudge) making his debut on the left wing.
Dean Russell partnered Danny Pearson in attack, and it was Russell who set Armley on their way with the opening goal. An excellent through ball on the left wing sent James Lee through towards the corner flag. He calmly cut inside and played the ball to Russell who sidefooted home from 10 yards.
Armley were soon 2-0 up after Karl Smith headed in a cross from Wayne Howe from the right flank to claim his first goal of the season. Sporting were completely dominating the game, and Knight and Wheeler were more than a match for anything Beeston could muster in attack.
The third goal quickly followed after a sloppy punch out by Beeston's goalkeeper fell kindly to Danny Pearson, who was calm and composed to take his time and slot the ball into the back of the net.
James Lee took advantage of similar sloppy defending on the edge of the box to jink his way past three players to fire in his 5th goal of the season from just inside the box.
Danny Pearson and Wayne Howe combined with a short corner that took Beeston by surprise. The big striker firing in a low shot that crept in at the near post, with the defender on the line scuffing his clearance and letting it deflect off his leg and into the net.
Just before half time Armley made it six without reply when Gareth Knight rose highest from a Karl Smith corner. His headed effort striking the crossbar and bouncing down over the line.
As the half time whistle blew, the only chance of note Beeston had was when a long range strike had struck the woodwork and bounced clear.
In the second half, Beeston United stepped up their game and attacked Armley with a renewed purpose. John Moses pulled off some decent saves as Sporting's focus switched to earning their first clean sheet of the season.
Danny Pearson was replaced by Jordan Crossley, and Mike Bowe replaced by Rick Spivey as Lovett looked to give his substitutes a decent run out. Wayne Howe was pushed up front as Crossley moved into right back.
Despite several good opportunites to add to their lead, Armley couldn't find the net in the second half and it was Beeston who eventually scored from a great freekick to deny John Moses his clean sheet.
In the final moments, Smudge, Dean and Karl Smith all combined well to set up Wayne Howe for a simple tap-in from 6 yards out. Unfortunately for Armley, Howe proved his left foot is only there for standing on as he skied an easy chance high over the crossbar.
