04/10/08 15:00
Two Hat Tricks put Town in ‘Trophy’ Seventh Heaven
FA Carlsberg Trophy
Leighton
Town 7 - 1 Chipstead
After
their disappointing performance last week in the FA
CUP, Leighton returned to Cup action in The FA Trophy
at Bell Close on Saturday against Ryman League,
Chipstead in a match sponsored by the “Mortgage
Practice of Leighton Buzzard.” Town played some good
football particularly in the first half and this was
their best win in an FA Competition since they beat
Gorleston in the FA Vase in 1993. Town’s supporters in
a disappointing crowd of just 88 were able to watch an
entertaining performance from their side and with a
little more luck and composure Town could easily have
reached double figures as their dispirited opponents
crumbled under a wave of constant attacks in the second
half.
Town made three changes to last week’s side with James
Hatch restored in attack in place of Dennis Fenemore,
Charlie Cunningham replaced the unavailable James
Lasbrey at right back and James McNulty replaced Scott
Thomas in midfield.
Playing into the wind Town took time to settle and
their first chance arrived in the 11th
minute
when they won two corners and from the second James
McNulty got his head to the ball under pressure but his
effort went wide. Four minutes later the visitors might
have gone in front but the ball was flicked just wide
of the far post. A minute later Chipstead were awarded
a free kick just outside the penalty area but Enzo
Silvestri did well to charge down the kick at the
expense of a corner. From the place kick Wareing got in
a good header which Lee Clark did well to tip around
the post.
In the 20th
minute
Leon Cashman made an excellent break from defence and
his powerful run took him past a couple of defenders
before he passed the ball to Leon Gordon wide on the
right. The midfielder’s low cross was knocked behind
for a corner. Leon Cashman knocked in a good inswinging
corner and Captain Peter Clifford rose well and headed
the ball firmly into the net to give Town the lead.
Four minutes later James Hatch shot just over with a
good effort from the edge of the area. Town should have
increased their lead in the 27th
minute
when a good move involving Charlie Cunningham and Ben
Gallant saw the striker back heel the ball into the
path of James McNulty but his fierce shot went wide of
the near post. In the 31st
minute
an excellent 30 yard effort from Aslan flew just wide
of the post as the visitors went looking for the
equaliser. Town replied a couple of minutes later but
Peter Clifford’s header from a corner drew an easy save
from Wastell in the visitors goal. Town did get a
deserved second in the 39th
minute
when Enzo Silvestri drove a shot across the keeper and
although the ball was going in Delaney helped it on its
way into the net. In the 43rd
minute
Chipstead created another chance but Fleming’s header
was easily caught by Lee Clark.
In the 45th
minute
Town scored a third when Wastell was unable to hold
Leon Cashman’s fierce low shot and the alert James
Hatch was on hand to fire the loose ball into the net.
Chipstead had the first effort of the second half but
full back Fleming shot over from 20 yards. In the
57th
minute
town had a half chance but James McNulty put his volley
way over the bar.
Town were not to be denied however and two minutes
later scored their fourth when James Hatch stole the
ball off Wareing ran on and then prodded the ball low
past the keeper. Two minutes later Hatch scored his
third and Town’s fifth when Ben Gallant played a clever
pass through the defence and Hatch confidently flicked
the ball high into the net with the keeper well beaten.
Chipstead now looked completely disorganised and
demoralised and three minutes later Enzo Silvestri
drove home a left footed shot from close range to make
it six. Town were now constantly on the attack and a
good move involving Leon Gordon and Peter Clifford saw
Ben Gallant shoot just over. Town made two
substitutions in the 68th
minute
when Craig Kench and James Gray came on for James Hatch
and Wes Lewis who left the field to generous applause.
Two minutes later Gallant created a chance for Gray who
almost made an immediate impact but his shot hit the
top of the bar and went behind for a goal kick.
Immediately afterwards Ben Gallant broke away from the
defence but the keeper made the save as Gallant tried
to take the ball round him. Against the run of play
Chipstead scored a consolation goal in the
74th
minute
through Oxley as Town temporarily lost concentration in
defence. Town returned to the attack and Leon Gordon
centred low towards Ben Gallant who got in a diving
header but it lacked the necessary power and direction
to beat the keeper.
Aslan then fired in a fierce effort for Chipstead in
the 83rd
minute
but this was deflected behind for a corner which Town
cleared easily. Town then created another chance when
Gray fed Gallant but his shot passed just wide of the
far post. In the last minute Enzo Silvestri volleyed in
Town’s seventh and his own third to end the scoring
although Gallant had another opportunity seconds before
the final whistle.
This was a good all round team performance from
Leighton especially after last week’s disappointment.
Charlie Cunningham gave a superb display after his long
absence with a broken leg and James Hatch showed his
qualities as a goal scorer and was voted Man of the
Match. Town will now play Bury Town on
18th
October
at Bury St. Edmunds in the next round.
Team: Clark, Cunningham, McNulty, Lewis(Kench68),
Clifford, Howley, Gordon, Silvestri, Gallant,
Hatch(Gray68), Cashman(Chapman77) Subs: Root. Fenemore.
Not used.
ATT: 88
Fixtures:
Wednesday: 8th
October
2008. SCYFL ko 7:45 Leighton U18 v Dunstable U18
Saturday 11th
October
2008 BGB League ko 3pm Stourport Swifts v Leighton Town
Suburban League Sandhurst v Leighton Town Reserves
Saturday 18th
October
2008 ko 3pm FA Trophy Bury Town v Leighton Town
Town will run a coach to Stourport on Saturday. If you
want to travel on the coach please add your name to the
list in the Clubhouse. Price £8.