Stanningley started a derby game against local rivals Calverely knowing that they faced a difficult game. The two teams have met a number of times over the last few months and Stanningley knew that Calverley were a well trained and disciplined team with some very good players. The home team kicked off and started briskly, with some confident early passes and touches. An early shot was easily saved but it was good to see Stanningley pushing from the start. Calverley were not to be out done and always looked good on the counter attack, they took excellent corners throughout much of the match and Joe saved well early on.

Both teams were pressing where they could but Stanningley were looking the more consistent attackers, however there was no evidence at first of the clinical finishing Stanningley are capable of and neither keeper was tested for much of the first half. Stanningley looked good passing up field only to see a counter attack worrying the sometimes vulnerable looking defence. The passing started to become more confident and the ball came to Kayle who shot wide to the right with team mates waiting in the box. Owen looked ominous on the ball today and Kayle's corners pushed Calverley, Owen was unlucky not to score but the keepers were still not really breaking sweat and Stanningley were needing a goal. It came, unfortunately, at the wrong end, where a defensive error by Stanningley allowed Calverley's Tommy (their most impressive looking player by a good margin) through for the goal. 0 - 1.

Stanningley were a little shell shocked after the goal and Calverley pushed again, a shot going just right, again testing the Stanningley defense who needed to up their game. They do so at the end of the first half, Kayle played well in the middle and the consistently impressive Ollie took the ball all the way for a coolly taken goal, the Calverley keeper had no chance, 1 -1. Steve was beginning to up his game and the Stanningley tackles were looking more precise, but both teams were looking good and the half time whistle gave both teams a chance to rest and re-group, to prepare to break the dead lock in the second half.

Coach Steve made a few changes at half time to shake Stanningley up and two of the changes, Kyle and Ethan, had good shots saved early in the second half. A great Ethan shot across goal was knocked in by Kyle with his head/whole body but the fourth referee (a man with a dog?) ruled that Ethan's ball had already crossed the line! 2 -1 Stanningley. Whether, controversially, it was his goal or not, Ethan looked in great form after his injury worries and worried the Calverley keeper throughout the second half. He had another shot saved and put one to the right before Calverley decided to up their game and add some good pressure. Luke tackled well and had a great game whilst Owen and Ethan continued to look classy on the ball, Ben T made a great difference in defence and was solid, using his size often to block Calverley fron the ball. The teams were wary of each other, Owen had a good shot before the well disciplined Calverley got the ball to their key man Tommy who took the ball all the way up the pitch to score a stunning solo effort that shocked not only Moussa in goal but the onlooking Calverley supporters who didn't believe at first it had gone in! 2 - 2. Poor defense by Calverley allowed Ethan a well deserved second, Stanningley's third, and then the fourth Stanningley goal came from a good team effort, great play from Ethan allowed Ollie to head at the keeper who spilled the ball allowing Kyle to tap in.

By now the class of Stanningley had started to take over and it was all going the home teams way, the impressive scoreline finishes after good play by Luke pushed the ball up pitch for a corner which was well floated in to the box for a smashing header from Connor, a blinding strike that his even his Dad nearly blinked and missed! 5 - 2 the scoreline finished, class eventually shone but Calverley are a great team who will do undoubtedly do well this season.

So, finally Stanningley were tested and rose to the challenge. There were still questions raised, they should have put the game away earlier and the defence looked worrying on the counter attack, but the team showed they are deservedly at the top of the table. But they cannot rest on this for long as perhaps the toughest test comes against Horsforth on Sunday, so come on lads, get in there, a win would be a massive boost to the burgeoning promotional push.