Preseason begins with victory: Leighton Town 4-1 Hitchin Town
After 72 days away, a new look and newly led Leighton Town took to the Bell Close turf in front of 330 avid viewers.
Many of those fans wouldn’t leave disappointed as in Gary Flinn’s first game at the helm, Town ran out 4-1 winners against Hitchin with thanks to a hattrick from new boy Albie Hall and a first goal in red for Jake Watkinson.
As expected with preseason, the first 25 minutes were very stop-start. Yet approaching the half hour, new players began to blend well and Leighton had their visitors on the back foot. Hitchin conceded a penalty, and Albie Hall stepped up coolly to find the bottom right corner.
Winning possession basically from the restart, Town went for the two-punch knockout. Finlay Brennan was electric on the break away yet could only strike the left upright. He collected the ball and crossed for the head of Jake Watkinson who nodded brilliantly into the right side of the goal on 31’. Up the other end, James Campbell got one back for Hitchin. In what had become a very energetic match, the response came on 36’.
With that said, it wouldn’t be the last goal of the half as another few minutes later, Albie Hall doubled up before the break. Luke Pyman steamed through the centre of the park, found Watkinson on the right, and his cross saw Hall hit a deflected effort into the goal in front of the clubhouse end.
After half time the hosts took no time to add to their three goals. On 48 minutes, Albie Hall grabbed his hattrick. Lee Cooksey got the ball out his feet and lofted in a deep cross. Hall darted in at the far right post to prod home well. After this, a warning shot from Jake Watkinson, and a slew of changes – the game found some signature preseason flatness.
Out of the mire on 82’, Jim Burnside burst in behind but couldn’t direct his lob into the back of the net. On 90’, Josh Hatton’s header floated over. Alas, it ended 4-1 – a promising first outing for an ever-adapting Leighton Town side.
LTFC: Daley; Flanagan, Blackmore-Read, Simpson, Sage, Pattison, Pyman, Watkinson, Hall, Brennan. Powell.
Subs: Burnside, Cooksey, Hatton, Sayell, Kefford, Heeps.
Report by Max Bradfield