14. Welcome T'Yorkshire Amateur Supreme League

Well here we are. We find ourselves in Level 11 in the Yorkshire Amateur Supreme Division. Here are the teams that await us and their locations...

Alwoodley (North Leeds)

Bradford United (based at Bradford University)

Calverley United (NW Leeds)

Farsley Celtic Juniors (NW Leeds)

Glasshoughton Welfare (near Castleford)

Leeds City (Adel, North Leeds)

Leeds University (Headingley)

Lepton Highlanders (Huddersfield)

Littletown (Heckmondwike)

Middleton (South Leeds)

Route One Rovers (Keighley)

Stanley United  (Woodlesford)

Wortley (South West Leeds)

Board Expectations

The board have pulled no punches in their expectations and that is to gain promotion to Level 10, the North West Counties League Division 1 North! (Unfortunately we will not be playing in Yorkshire) but more on that later...

Match 1: Morley Town v Lepton Highlanders 09/09/23

The first game of the new season is against fellow promoted side, Lepton Highlanders, who dramaticlly clinched promotion to the Supreme League on the last day of the season. We have a clean bill of health and so pick a full strength side. They have dangerman, Decland Friar up front. Both the chairman and supporters expect a big win against fellow new boys, Lepton Highlanders, so no pressure then..

Team: Reay, Smith, Clappison, Nyame, Alastal, Agbozo, Wright, Preston, Rowe, Ellis, Pamment

Match Action

The big kick off has finally arrived and we swarm forward, eager to score the first goal. Young Kevin Preston has been like a man possessed down the right wing and his run and cross was straight onto the head of The Angel, but is saved by the keeper. On seven minutes we break the deadlock. Left back, Alasttal’s ball over the top is chased down by Rowe who confidently dinks the ball past the onrushing keeper into the corner of the net. It’s all us as the Highlanders seem happy to defend their penalty box and any attacks they can muster are snuffed out by Clappison and Nyame. A sweeping move involving Wright and Preston ends up with Rowe blazing over the bar from point blank range when it was easier to score. On 26 minutes we win a free kick, which Sam Wright sends the ball hurtling towards the top corner and nearly breaks the back of the net. 2-0 Morley Town! We increase our advantage further when Agbozo’s ball forward is cut out by the defender, but only as far as Louis Rowe who runs past the defender and steers the ball into the bottom corner. Lepton rally and have a couple of half chances but we still look like we may add to our lead. From a corner there was a handball and a penalty. Rowe stepped up to complete his hat-trick, but saw his effort saved. The game gets a bit bogged down and Lepton launch a rare attack. The ball is crossed to the far post and Akande Paul half volleys home a consolation. A good solid win though in our opening game in the Supreme League.

Final Score: Morley Town 3-1 Lepton Highlanders

Rowe 8,27                                         Paul 87

Wright 28

Morley Ultras Debut New Chant

The wordsmiths from our ever growing group of Morley Ultras have got their heads together and dreamed up a new chant which debuted during the Lepton match.

1 Ultra shouts: "Were not from Bradford"

Rest of Crowd: Were not from Bradford!

1 Ultra: "Were not from t'Leeds"

Rest of Crowd "Were not from t'Leeds"

1 Ultra: Were not from t'Wakey"

Rest of Crowd: "Were not from t'Wakey"

1 Ultra: "Were from Morley!"

Rest of Crowd: "Were from Morley"

Everybody.. Morley! Morley! Morley! Morley! Morley! (repeated)

It certainly enhanced the atmosphere at Glen Road..

Josh Agbozo To Leave Morley Town

My star midfielder, Josh Agbozo has decided to return to his native Italy and join Eccellenza Lombardia A outfit, Pavia 1911. The transfer will go through on 2^nd January 2024.

Match 2: Morley Town v Farsley Celtic Juniors

Why is it I always think of S Club Juniors when I play this lot?

Anyway we field the same team that comfortably beat the Highlanders, while baby S Club 7 are still jumping up and down with excitement after their 4-0 battering of Leeds City in their opening game.

Team: Reay, Smith, Clappison, Nyame, Alasttal, Agbozo, Wright, Preston, Rowe, Ellis, Pamment

Match Action

The kids give as good as they get early doors and a free kick is acrobatically beaten away by Reay. Then Wright smacks the crossbar from range after a corner is cleared. The game gets bogged down and it becomes scrappy with neither side creating a chance. Then, we provide the first piece of quality. Midfielder, Sam Wright pirouettes in the midfield, turning his man in the process and then scampers forward. His pinpoint through ball goes into the path of Ellis and the Angel nearly takes the net off with a powerful finish. 1-0. The same two combine again and The Angel smashes the ball home for 2-0. The second half was a scrappy affair but job done and our tenth consecutive home win which sends us top of the table with six points out of six.. but as the saying goes, it’s a marathon not a sprint.

Final Score: Morley Town 2-0 Farsley Celtic Juniors

Ellis 41,70

Reay Leaves Morley

In a shock move, my first choice goalkeeper, David Reay has jumped ship to Northern League Division 2 Jarrow.. Auf Wiedersehen Pet..

Match 3: Alwoodley v Morley Town

Our first away trip of the season sees us visit the leafy suburbs of Alwoodley. The millionaire’s playground, north of the ring road is home to some of the richest people in Leeds. We make two forced changes as Ben McLachlan takes over in goal from the departed Reay and Leedham replaces Agbozo in midfield, as the Italian has picked up a knock in training. Our well-to-do friends have made a poor start to the season and lie in 13^th after defeats in their opening two games.

Team: McLachlan, Smith, Clappison, Nyame, Alasttal, Leedham, Wright, Preston, Rowe, Ellis, Pamment

Match Action

We start brightly and Sam Wright shoots across the face of goal in our first attack. Ben Clappison our big central defender floats a lovely ball for The Angel who finishes with aplomb. 1-0. Faris Pamment then lifts the ball over top for Louis Rowe who takes the ball into the area and powers the ball home off the underside of the bar. Our third comes when Preston cushion volleys a cross onto the head of Rowe to nod home This is too easy! On 25 minutes, the Alwoodley defence are cut open once again when a sweeping move involving Ellis and Wright. The latter plays in Pamment, who belts the ball into the roof of the net to make it 4-0. On 37 minutes from a Wright corner, Rowe glances home a header for second goal of the game. 5-0 at half time. Into the second, Ellis sends Rowe racing clear...... 6-0 never in doubt and Rowe’s 4^th of the game. Preston gets down the left and his inch perfect cross is nodded home by the Angel for 7 (Seven) nil! On 70 minutes Oliver Leedham lets fly from the edge of the area into the top corner for 8-0! Blakey sends The Angel clear and he rounds the keeper before slotting home number nine! “We want 10, We want 10,” demand the 97 Ultras from behind the goal. Unfortunately it doesn’t come, but what a win! The rich boys of Alwoodley have taken one hell of a beating and were left crying for their mummies at the end of the game...

Final Score: Alwoodley 0-9 Morley Town (Att 165) (97 Morley Fans)

                                                                  Ellis 9,56,86

                                                         Rowe 13,25,38,46

                                                                  Pamment 26

                                                                   Leedham 70

Match 4: Morley Town v Route One Rovers

We play the first team from Route One Rovers of Keighley, as we welcome them to Glen Road. They lie in 9^th while we sit pretty at the top with three wins out of three. Agbozo returns to the midfield, but otherwise we are unchanged from the 9-0 drubbing of Alwoodley.

Team: McLachlan, Smith, Alasttal, Clappison, Nyame, Agbozo, Wright, Preston, Rowe, Ellis, Pamment

It took us just 25 seconds.. From the kick off the ball is played up to Rowe, who lays off to Pamment. His lovely through ball finds Sam Wright bursting forward from midfield in the left channel , who cuts it back for the Angel Gabriel to sidefoot home in off the post. Perfection! On 20 minutes, Wright drifts a corner in and there’s some pushing in the box. Penalty! Up steps Louis Rowe who drills the ball confidently into the corner for 2-0. Route One rally and win a free kick. The ball is cleared and they are soon in trouble. Louis Rowe gallops forward down the left. He checks inside and switches play for Preston. The young winger strides forward and as the defenders are sucked towards him to press, it leaves an overload on the left hand side, which the sixteen year old exploits to perfection by threading the ball through to Rowe inside the area He cuts in on his right foot before blasting the ball into the top bins for 3-0 on the angle. Supreme! We are coasting to victory and it’s not even half time. Wrong! Route One can play and a four man move results in Evans releasing Alimany Kamara who beats the onrushing McLachlan to the ball and rolls it into the back of the net. 3-1. Careful lads! Into the second half and we have probably one of the goals of the season disallowed as a one touch passing move involving Wright, Pamment and Ellis combining, but Pamment was deemed offside in the build up.. Our nerves are eased a little from a corner routine. Midfielder Sam Wright to Agbozo at the far post who nods it back for Rowe to half volley home first time from close range to complete his hat-trick. Then we mess up at the back. An innocuous ball into the box was poorly cleared by Alasttal under no pressure straight to Danville, whose first time volley flies into the top corner for 4-2. Then we fail to clear a corner and Richards powers a header into the top corner 4-3. We are hanging on big time here.. They win a free kick.. Saved! They win a corner.. cleared off the line by Alasttal! They hit the post, they hit the crossbar. McLachlan pulls off a worldie from close range..... Then on 95 minutes, in a move reminiscent of the famous Geoff Hurst "They think it’s all over" goal, my right back McKenzie Smith plays the Bobby Moore role by volleying the ball clear into the path of Louis Rowe, whose touch takes it past the defender before powering an unstoppable shot into the top corner.. 5-3.. They think It’s all over.. It Is Now it’s five!

Final Score: Morley Town 5-3 Route One Rovers (Att 122)

Ellis 1                                              Kamara 43

Rowe  21(pen), 35,53,95           Danville 64   Richards 73 

Stat Attack!

Gabriel Ellis’ strike after 23 seconds is the quickest goal in Yorkshire Amateur Supreme League history.

Morley U18s Register First Win

My U18s registered their first win in the U188s North East League with a 1-0 win over Scarborough Athletic U18s. Well done boys! They move up to 2nd bottom in the league. 

Match 5: Morley Town v Glasshougton Welfare 7/10/23

Four wins out of four, so confidence is high as we host 11^th placed Glasshoughton Welfare. Left back Majed Alasttal misses out through injury, so a reshuffle in our back four sees Smith move to fill in is role and the Penalty King himself, Busfield come in at right back. Otherwise why change a winning team?

McLachlan, Busfield, Clappison, Nyame, Smith, Agbozo, Smith, Preston, Rowe, Ellis, Pamment

It’s a lively opening 20 and end to end stuff. Rowe has a goal disallowed for offside, while Glasshoughton break quickly and forces a smart save from McLachlan. Then our class shows. Wright breaks forward on the counter attack and feeds Louis Rowe in behind. He rounds the keeper before slotting nonchalantly into the empty net. Eleven goals now in five games for the Irishman and a confident finish from a player bang in form. Glasshoughton haven’t come down the M62 West to make up the numbers though and attack with gusto. McLachlan is once again forced into a flying save when their striker Nathan Perks is through on goal. One nil at the break. Into the second half and we go up a gear in search of our second goal. It comes when Kevin Preston picks up the ball on the right wing, skins his full back and puts in a dangerous low cross which is swept home by Sam Wright. On 67 minutes, Wright lines up a free kick on the edge of the area and the ball deflects off the wall and into the corner of the net. 3-0. We add a fourth late on when the impressive Preston flies down the left wing and crosses low for Rowe to scuff home off the defender and goalkeeper to slightly flatter us.. Five wins out of five!

Final Score: Morley Town 4-0 Glasshoughton Welfare

Rowe 20,89

Wright 61,68

Match 6: Calverley United v Morley Town

We travel up to North West Leeds in excellent spirits after five wins out of five, which sees us reign supreme at the top of the table. It’s early days and it’s away trips like this that can be a potential banana skin. Our hosts have not faired so well and have just one point from their opening five. Ben Clappison misses this one through injury, so a reshuffle of the back four sees Harrison Blakey take his place and McKenzie Smith return at right back at the expense of Busfield.

Team: McLachlan, Smith, Blakey, Nyame, Alasttal, Agbozo, Wright, Preston, Rowe, Ellis, Pamment

It is the home side who dominate the opening exchanges and a run and cross from Waller is headed over by their Danish striker, Thorgerson. Warning! Ellis then runs onto a massive goal kick from McLachlan but fires just over. Alasttal then jinks inside but fires his shot straight at the keeper. Calverley are well organised and difficult to break down. Then from a free kick, Thorgerson has a header beaten away by McLachlan. On the stroke of half time, Faris Pamment swings in a free kick onto the head of Ellis!.. but the ball is tipped round the post by their keeper. 0-0 at the break. Into the second half and Calverley start the brighter and they hit the bar. At the other end, sub Arron Davies floats a peach of a free kick onto the head of Louis Rowe, but his looping header also clips the woodwork. Moments later and another Davies free kick causes panic in the Calverley penalty area and results in the referee awarding a penalty for handball. Up steps Louis Rowe, who drills the ball into the bottom corner much to our relief. Davies then clips the bar with another pinpoint free kick. We need a second goal and it comes after some brilliance from my right back and right winger. Sam Wright sprays the ball out to Kevin Preston on the right. He reaches the byline before flicking the ball to the supporting Smith. He drops his shoulder before doing a spectacular back flick to Preston who volleyed emphatically first time into the top corner for a magnificent second goal. A good win, but were made to work hard for these three points by a determined and well organised Calverley side.

Final Score Calverley United 0-2 Morley Town

                                                       Rowe 59 (pen)

                                                       Preston 81

League Table After 6 Games

League Table After 6 Games

1^st Morley Town 18 pts

2^nd Middleton 14

3^rd Stanley United 14

4^th Wortley 13

5^th Bradford United 10

6^th Farsley Celtic Juniors 8

7^th Route One Rovers 8

8^th Lepton Highlanders 8

9^th Littletown 6

10^th Leeds City 6

11^th Glasshoughton Welfare 6

12^th Leeds University 3

13^th Calverley United 1

14^th Alwoodley 1

Stat Attack!

   Morley Town’s six consecutive wins is a new Yorkshire Amateur Supreme League Record!

A barnstorming start to the Yorkshire Amateur Supreme League has seen Morley Town storm to the top of the table with a 100% record and six wins out of six. Can they keep this amazing form going, or will it all go Pete Tong? Find out next time on The Ultimate English Pyramid Game! 

Read Part 15 One Bad Apple In The Cart Here!