Hatch scores in final minute to secure victory

Leighton got their League season under way at Hayes on Saturday and although it was not one of their best performances they made a winning start thanks to a 92nd minute goal from James Hatch. Town fielded a very young side with several new signings but the side showed all their usual resilience when it was needed.
Town created the first chance of the game in the 6th minute but Bilal Hassan’s shot went over the bar from a difficult angle. And a few minutes later Hassan’s cross was fractionally behind Hatch after another good Town move. In the 13th minute, Town broke quickly down the right but Andre Maltay’s cross was too close to the keeper who was able to make a reasonably easy save.
In the 14th minutes Hayes broke quickly but Joe Cox in the Town goal was able to watch a shot go safely outside his near post. Leighton were using Bilal Hassan’s pace to good effect and in the 22nd minute Andre Maltay broke down the right and fired in a cross but it was a touch too high for Hassan who could only head it high over the bar at full stretch.
Hayes had a great opportunity to take the lead in the 24th minute when Joe Cox tripped an opponent when attempting to kick a loose ball away under pressure. The young goalkeeper made amends however when he dived to his right to save the penalty. Hayes then tried a long range shot but this presented no problems to Town. A minute later Hassan tried a left footed effort for Town but again there was no real threat. In the 36th minute an excellent cross by Maltay was well caught by the keeper under pressure from James Hatch as Town mounted another attack. A minute later Hayes broke with pace and a good ball into the box required some good defensive work from Maltay to keep Town level. In the 38th minute Town were awarded a free kick on the left and when Grant Fryer headed it forward there were some half hearted appeals for handball but the referee showed no interest. Just before the interval both teams created decent chances with Deaton going close for Town and Maltay again having to do some sterling defensive work to foil the home side.
Hayes started the second half at full speed and in the 49th minute had a great chance when their striker broke through onto goal but Joe Cox stood up before producing an excellent save with his outstretched right leg. In the 55th minute Hayes produced another chance but Chakaodza shot into the side netting. Town were struggling to get a grip in midfield as the hosts kept up their high tempo but in the 63rd minute a magnificent shot from Ben Gallant required the home keeper McNeil to tip the ball over the bar. Gallant was again target from the corner but this time the keeper was not troubled by a looping shot. In the 75th minute a Jack Copson cross was diverted and nearly looped into the net but again McNeil was equal to the task. In the 81st minute a Ben Gallant effort that looked bound for the corner of the net was diverted by a defender straight into McNeil’s hands. Hayes replied from a free kick and Town were fortunate when the ball was headed over from right in front of the goal.
In the 92nd minute with the match now looking set for a scoreless draw; Andre Maltay played a pass through to James Hatch who created space for himself with a great first touch before taking the ball forward and firing low under the keeper to grab the win for Town.
Hayes will consider themselves unlucky not to have got a point from the game after a spirited display but Town as so often in the past battled for the full match and Hatch’s touch of class earned the points. There were some good individual displays from Town players but they will be hoping for a better display on Tuesday when they entertain Rugby at Bell Close
TEAM: Cox, Maltay, Lincoln(Scott65), Chapman, Deaton, Fryer, Hanley, Bush( Lazarus 80),Gallant, Hatch, Hassan(Copson 65). SUBS: McNulty, Cunningham – not used.
Att: 89