Match Report v Tring Ath.

This weekend’s derby against Tring Athletic ended in defeat. Two first half goals from the visitors were enough to beat a flat home side, despite a 491 strong crowd.
13 minutes in Leighton’s joy came exclusively from the wings and a good ball from the right led to the first clear cut chance. James Towell had a well hit volley just clip the top of the bar after it sat up invitingly on the edge of the box.
The early knockings saw a lot of Leighton pressure, so Tring’s goal came as a bit of surprise.
Against the run of play, Athletic broke well and a fine ball in behind from Adiel Mannion was Town’s undoing. Ronan Hutchins latched on to the pass and from the left side of the box, slotted through Connor Coulston to give the visitors the lead on the 15-minute mark.
The hosts looked to react and twice nearly had their answer before the half hour. On 24 minutes, a Leighton corner looked poorly dealt with after Luke Pyman stabbed goalward. Bill Morgan then mis-hit his effort wide.
On 28 minutes Ashton Campbell came close to finding the equaliser but could only watch as his shot was blocked expertly on the line.
These two chances would seem ever important after Tring doubled their lead in ecstatic style on 36 minutes. Goodlove Oppong watched a poor clearance from Town sublimely onto his right boot on the edge of the box and his powerful strike looped over Coulston, nestling in the left side netting.
Stunned, Leighton trudged into the break two behind with seemingly an uphill struggle on the cards.
The second period opened into a bland affair. Tring looked happy playing out their two goal advantage and quality of football seemed to decline with the pitch in the spitting rain.
Leighton broke out of the mediocrity with a half chance as Bill Morgan shot over from a corner on 65’. The next event of note was the Tring keeper Jack Alley picking up a knock – this even being reported reflects the stagnant nature of the second period.
Tring defended well and eventually took a deserved three points from Bell Close. Leighton will now look to rebuild, with a big semi-final on Tuesday 15th March under the lights at Bell Close against either Biggleswade FC or AFC Dunstable in the Beds Senior Cup.

Max Bradfield