Sporting Armley finished their debut season with an absolute mauling of Red Lion Crossgates. With second spot already guaranteed, there was little to play for, but the Armley players were keen to hit back following Wednesday's shock defeat away to Smiling Mule Fagley.
Danny Goulden was outstanding from start to finish, but he needed the help of some comical goalkeeping to notch his and Armley's first goal after just two minutes. His low drilled shot looked like an easy stop for the Crossgates keeper, but somehow he managed to allow the ball to roll past him and into the net.
Amazingly, it was Crossgates who hit back with two goals of their own to take a 2-1 in a crazy 10 minute spell. 2-1 could have been 3-1 if Moses hadn't pulled of fantastic one handed save. The easy ride many were expecting suddenly didn't look so easy.
Once more it was left winger Danny Goulden who turned the game back in Armley's favour before half-time. Crossgates just couldn't cope with his trickery in the box, and paid the ultimate price when he was pulled down for a penalty. James Lee stepped up to calmly side foot the equalising goal to the goalkeepers left.
Goulden notched his second goal with an audacious long range strike. With very little backlift, he somehow aimed a belter towards goal which left the keeper rooted to the spot. It was a peach of a goal, landing perfectly in the top corner between crossbar and post.
It was 3-1 at half-time, but it could have been more if Andi Bellhouse's headed effort had not struck the crossbar. The big striker didn't manage to get on the scoresheet this time, but his contribution to Armley's performance was immense. His best game of the season by far. Jason Lovett, starting for the first time this season, was also unlucky not to score when a chance fell his way following an Armley corner.
In the second half Armley stepped up the gears with the introduction of substitutes Wayne Howe and Tom Woodhead. Howe replaced Jason Lovett on the right wing, Woodhead replaced Wayen Heslop and moved up front while Gareth Knight dropped back into midfield. With two physical strikers now leading the line, Red Lion Crossgates simply were not strong enough to cope.
"Goulden Boy" Danny Goulden tricked his way into the penalty once more, and was felled to earn his side a second penalty. James Lee stepped up once again to score, despite Armley goalkeeper John Moses wanting to take the kick. It was an indication that the outfield players wanted a victory and weren't prepared to treat the game like a pre-season friendly.
Armley finished with a flourish with two goals each from Tom Woodhead and Gareth Knight, plus a hat-trick goal from Danny Goulden. Woohead was set racing down the left wing before cutting inside and despatching a clinical finish into the bottom corner for his first goal. he was similarly lethal with his second effort, with the Crossgates keeper in no mans land.
Gareth Knight took his chances well and showed great composure in front of goal. When found in space in the box, he chose not to strike straigh away. Instead, he checked to his right and calmly sidefooted around the defender and keeper and into the net.
The goal of the game however had to be the hat-trick goal for Danny Goulden. He was wide on the left, stood alongside the Armley manager and substitutes. "Watch this" he said as he lifted the ball up and hit the ball high and looping towards goal. It dipped over the goalkeeper and landed comfortably at the far post. An astounding goal made even more astounding by the showmanship at which he made the attempt.
Goulden's showmanship was not appreciated by Crossgates, who had a player sent off late on after complaining to the referee about awarding Goulden a free kick. But it was already too late for Crossgates who simply couldn't cope with Armley's attacking play and solid defence.
The signs look extremely bright for next season.
