Deano

The first ever match contesting the Dean Dawson Memorial Shield by these two local rivals on a sunny Boxing Day morning produced a thrilling game played out in front of a large vocal crowd. Leeman started brightly forcing Ainsty back as they looked for the early breakthrough. Ainsty gradually got into the game and began to dictate things without ever troubling the Leeman keeper. With half an hour gone Ainsty broke the deadlock when a corner was not dealt with leaving James Hewitson with an easy tap in. Minutes later the same player thought he’d put his side two up but was ruled off side. The second half again saw Ainsty dominate looking to take the game beyond Leemans reach but found the Leeman keeper James Whitaker in sparkling form denying Brandon, King and Reed before keeping out a Jon Beech volley. With Leeman beginning to tire Ainsty finally broke through when Paul King finally beat the gallant Whitaker with a low hard shot into the bottom right hand corner.Leeman looked dead and buried but after a mistake by the otherwise faultless Arran Reed the resulting scramble allowed Robbie Beavers to score from close range. Bruce Welsh then made a great save to deny Jimmy Clamp who impressed throughout for Leeman.With five minute to go Ainsty looked to have made the game safe after a great move ending with Darren Brandon blasting the ball home. This game had a final twist however when a free kick saw Joe Gaughans effort cleared off the line by Danny Farthing but the ball crashed off the underside of the bar to Jimmy Clamp who made no mistake. Ainsty deserved their success but credit must go to a spirited Leeman United side that pushed the Ainsty all the way.