TROPHY EXIT FOR TOWN

TROPHY EXIT FOR TOWN
Leighton’s interest in the FA Competitions ended on Saturday at Rainworth as they were beaten in the Preliminary Round of the FA Carlsberg Trophy after a disappointing display.
Town were still without main striker Ben Gallant and this left Leon Simpson as the main striker and target man. Dan Hewitt made his debut at centre back in place of Bill Morgan who was unavailable and he performed well alongside Stuart Deaton in central defence. Jake Bewley was recalled after suspension in place of Aidy Chaves.
On a sunny afternoon both teams started brightly and in the first minute Town attacked with meaning but Leon Simpson’s pass inside the full back was too deep and the home side were not unduly troubled. In the 7th minute the hosts pressurised Town in their own half and won the ball after a quick throw out by Haydn Dodge but fortunately for Leighton, Jared Holmes fired his shot just over the bar. In the 12th minute the hosts won a corner on their right and when the ball was played across Stuart Deaton handled the ball. Although it did look as if the Town captain had been barged in the back the ball was way above head height and the referee had no doubts about awarding the spot kick. Ian Holmes stepped up to take the kick and he placed it right in the bottom corner with Haydn Dodge diving in the opposite direction. A few Town heads seemed to go down after the goal but in the 16th minute Ross Hanley’s looping header dropped just behind the bar after a cross from the right. Town won a corner in the 19th minute as they looked for an equaliser but Sean Bishop after jumping highest put his header well wide of the goal. A minute later a good move between Jerry Nash and Lewis Mc Bride saw the latter flash the ball across the face of the goal but not a single Town player was in the area . Five minutes later after a decent Town move Leon Simpson had his shot blocked by the keeper and Jake Bewley’s follow up was hacked away and the hosts went onto the attack and won a corner kick which was easily dealt with my Leighton. In the 29th minute Leighton won a corner but despite Hewitt, Simpson and Deaton all winning headers the home defence dealt with the attack without any serious problems. Two minutes later Rainworth posed town a serious threat when Spargo cut in from the right and drew two fine saves from Haydn Dodge that could easily have seen Town go two down before half time. Just before the break Goward shot just over the bar from long range as the hosts ended the half on the attack.
At the start of the second half Town created a chance after a good 5 man move but Lewis MCbride’s effort was comfortably dealt with by McCormack in the home goal. Jared Holmes then drove a low shot wide for Rainworth but they did not have to wait long to secure a second goal and what a goal it was. In the 55th minute Town thought they had pulled one back after a long throw in by Bilal Hassan but Town’s hopes were dashed when the officials gave an offside decision against McBride at the back post. In the 57th minute Spargo received the ball about 30 yards out and in acres of space he had time to set himself before driving a wonderful shot into the top right hand corner of the goal. Two minutes after this Bilal Hassan did well to intercept a headed back pass but as he went round the keeper he made the angle too steep for himself and his shot rolled across the face of the goal. Soon after this some good work down the right flank by McBride saw him play the ball in to Ross Hanley but his control let him down and the ball was hacked away.
In the 65th minute Rainworth ensured their victory when the unmarked Ian Holmes at the far post headed the ball back across the goal after Town allowed the hosts too much time to cross the ball from the left.
Town created a chance through Lewis McBride in the 69th minute but his low effort was well saved by the home keeper. In the 70th minute Rainworth were awarded a second penalty for handball against Enzo Silvestri but Holmes who was looking for his hat trick blasted his spot kick high over the angle of the bar and post. Town went close twice through Bilal Hassan and a Dan Hewitt header but the game was already won and the hosts had another effort cancelled out for offside in the 76th minute.
Town will be disappointed with this display but the scoreline is perhaps an unfair reflection of the game although the hosts did look the more likely to score when they did attack. Town played with more urgency after the break but they look low in confidence at the moment.
Team.
Dodge, Maltay, Bewley, Hewitt, Deaton, Nash, McBride, Hanley, Simpson( Maisiri 75), Bishop(Silvestri 65)Morgan(Hassan37)
Subs: 12 Hassan. 14; Chaves, 15: Maisiri, 16;Cunningham, 17:Silvestri
Att: 86
Town have re-arranged their Red Insure League Cup game, against Bedford Town( away)for next Saturday 22nd September at 3pm.
Fixtures
WED 19th Aylesbury Ut. v Hanwell Town 7:45 Spartan S.M. League
Thurs 20th Kettering Town v Leighton u18 7:45 FA Youth Cup
Sat 22nd Bedford Town v Leighton Town 3pm Red Insure Cup