Leighton Town FC
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16/08/08 Nuneaton Town 2 - 1 Leighton Town
16/08/08 15:00
NUNEATON
TOWN 2 - 1 LEIGHTON TOWN
Town started their League Season with a trip to Nuneaton on Saturday and if it had not been for two defensive mistakes they would have returned with a well deserved point for their efforts.
Nuneaton who were in the Conference North last season were relegated 2 divisions after going into Administration but are one of the strongly fancied sides to gain promotion as they seek to regain their former status at the higher levels.
Leighton had to make a defensive change when Peter Clifford failed to recover from a knee injury sustained in the midweek win over Stevenage and Sam Chapman and Liam Howley were paired together in central defence. Wes Lewis was included in midfield as partner to Enzo Silvestri.
Town started with the wind slightly in their favour and James Hatch had the first shot of the game but his effort flew wide of the post. A minute later the hosts were awarded a free kick just outside the box but Sam Chapman headed the ball away to clear the danger.
In the early stages both sides were struggling to find any tempo and the ball was being given away far too easily and the game had no real pattern.
In the 8th minute the hosts were awarded a corner which was delivered to the far post but fortunately for Town the ball was headed into the side netting. A few minutes later Steve Root in the Leighton goal had to be alert to punch the ball off the head of an attacker, as the hosts stepped up the pace.
Town countered and were awarded a free kick just outside the box but Scott Thomas drove his low kick straight into the defensive wall and the chance was lost. A few minutes later Silvestri ran through from midfield but was denied at the expense of a corner. Although Sam Chapman won the ball his header was easily caught by Acton in the home goal.
In the 22nd minute the Nuneaton left back made a good break down the flank but from a good position put his cross behind for a goal kick. Town had the next chance but Ben Gallant’s header was easy pickings for Acton.
Nuneaton took the lead in the 35th minute when Ramsay ran onto a hopeful forward ball and held off challenges from Chapman and Lasbrey to slot the ball past Root.
HT 1-0
Nuneaton created the first chance of the second half after winning two corners. Browns header from the second looked like finding the net but Town were able to kick the ball off the line to keep lead down to one goal.
In the 65th minute after foiling a Town attack Nuneaton broke quickly down their right and Ramsay shot just wide of the far post under pressure.
Town replaced Scott Thomas with Jamie O’Grady and within two minutes were level . James Hatch showed some neat footwork and fed a clever pass to O’Grady and his wonderful curling cross was met at the far post by Enzo Silvestri with a fabulous header which flew into the back of the net.
Town looked more confident after the equaliser but Nuneaton had a chance from a free kick just outside the area but their fierce effort flew just over the bar.
With just five minutes remaining and Town looking good for a point the referees assistant flagged for a highly debatable free kick as three Town players went to win the near the corner. After Town protests about the decision the free kick was swung in to the box and the unmarked Ramsay was left free to head his second and the winning goal.
Despite their best efforts Town never looked like scoring an equaliser and the hosts finished with all the points.
Town were disappointed not to have earned a least a point but Nuneaton had more possession and more territorial superiority although Steve Root had very little work to do apart from collecting a few crosses and through balls. Two defensive lapses cost Town dearly but they displayed their usual collective resilience and spirit to make it hard work for the hosts.
ATTENDANCE: 748
TEAM: Root, Lasbrey, Cashman, Chapman(Kench 88), Lewis, Howley, Thomas(O’Grady 65) Silvestri, Gallant, Hatch, Gordon.
Subs(Not used) McNulty, Bell, Copson.
Leighton Reserves drew 1-1 with Bedfont Green Reserves at Bell Close.
FIXTURES
BGB LEAGUE TUESDAY 19th AUGUST ko7:45 Leighton Town v Woodford United
BGB LEAGUE SATURDAY 23rd August 3pm LEIGHTON TOWN V BROMSGROVE ROVERS
BGB LEAGUE MONDAY 25th August 3pm MARLOW v LEIGHTON TOWN
Town started their League Season with a trip to Nuneaton on Saturday and if it had not been for two defensive mistakes they would have returned with a well deserved point for their efforts.
Nuneaton who were in the Conference North last season were relegated 2 divisions after going into Administration but are one of the strongly fancied sides to gain promotion as they seek to regain their former status at the higher levels.
Leighton had to make a defensive change when Peter Clifford failed to recover from a knee injury sustained in the midweek win over Stevenage and Sam Chapman and Liam Howley were paired together in central defence. Wes Lewis was included in midfield as partner to Enzo Silvestri.
Town started with the wind slightly in their favour and James Hatch had the first shot of the game but his effort flew wide of the post. A minute later the hosts were awarded a free kick just outside the box but Sam Chapman headed the ball away to clear the danger.
In the early stages both sides were struggling to find any tempo and the ball was being given away far too easily and the game had no real pattern.
In the 8th minute the hosts were awarded a corner which was delivered to the far post but fortunately for Town the ball was headed into the side netting. A few minutes later Steve Root in the Leighton goal had to be alert to punch the ball off the head of an attacker, as the hosts stepped up the pace.
Town countered and were awarded a free kick just outside the box but Scott Thomas drove his low kick straight into the defensive wall and the chance was lost. A few minutes later Silvestri ran through from midfield but was denied at the expense of a corner. Although Sam Chapman won the ball his header was easily caught by Acton in the home goal.
In the 22nd minute the Nuneaton left back made a good break down the flank but from a good position put his cross behind for a goal kick. Town had the next chance but Ben Gallant’s header was easy pickings for Acton.
Nuneaton took the lead in the 35th minute when Ramsay ran onto a hopeful forward ball and held off challenges from Chapman and Lasbrey to slot the ball past Root.
HT 1-0
Nuneaton created the first chance of the second half after winning two corners. Browns header from the second looked like finding the net but Town were able to kick the ball off the line to keep lead down to one goal.
In the 65th minute after foiling a Town attack Nuneaton broke quickly down their right and Ramsay shot just wide of the far post under pressure.
Town replaced Scott Thomas with Jamie O’Grady and within two minutes were level . James Hatch showed some neat footwork and fed a clever pass to O’Grady and his wonderful curling cross was met at the far post by Enzo Silvestri with a fabulous header which flew into the back of the net.
Town looked more confident after the equaliser but Nuneaton had a chance from a free kick just outside the area but their fierce effort flew just over the bar.
With just five minutes remaining and Town looking good for a point the referees assistant flagged for a highly debatable free kick as three Town players went to win the near the corner. After Town protests about the decision the free kick was swung in to the box and the unmarked Ramsay was left free to head his second and the winning goal.
Despite their best efforts Town never looked like scoring an equaliser and the hosts finished with all the points.
Town were disappointed not to have earned a least a point but Nuneaton had more possession and more territorial superiority although Steve Root had very little work to do apart from collecting a few crosses and through balls. Two defensive lapses cost Town dearly but they displayed their usual collective resilience and spirit to make it hard work for the hosts.
ATTENDANCE: 748
TEAM: Root, Lasbrey, Cashman, Chapman(Kench 88), Lewis, Howley, Thomas(O’Grady 65) Silvestri, Gallant, Hatch, Gordon.
Subs(Not used) McNulty, Bell, Copson.
Leighton Reserves drew 1-1 with Bedfont Green Reserves at Bell Close.
FIXTURES
BGB LEAGUE TUESDAY 19th AUGUST ko7:45 Leighton Town v Woodford United
BGB LEAGUE SATURDAY 23rd August 3pm LEIGHTON TOWN V BROMSGROVE ROVERS
BGB LEAGUE MONDAY 25th August 3pm MARLOW v LEIGHTON TOWN