TOWN GET THEIR FIRST HOME LEAGUE WIN

TOWN GET THEIR FIRST HOME LEAGUE WIN
Leighton finally got their first home League win of the season with a superb win over an experienced Burnham side, despite playing the whole of the second half with only ten men after Deji Ojuroye was dismissed in the 42nd minute for a second yellow card offence.
The Town Manager decided to start the game with the side that performed so well against Cambridge City in the League Cup with James Hatch replacing Dan Chambers on the right of the Town midfield. Burnham like Leighton have no home wins to their credit this season but have taken 10 points on their travels, so they may have been considered likely winners of this game but on the day Town showed that they are as good as most teams when they show their true form.
Town started brightly and opened the scoring after 8 minutes when James Hatch, wide on the right and about 40 yards from goal drove in a fierce half volley which flew over the head of the keeper and dipped under the bar to give Town an early lead. The Town striker with typical modesty said after the game that he had to shoot as he had no other options available. In the 15th minute a good Leighton 4 man move ended with Leon Simpson heading weakly into the goalkeepers hands. Burnham were awarded a free kick just outside the box and Town had a narrow escape when the ball was first blocked on the line and then Burnham headed against the post before the ball ended safely in Kevin Marsh’s hands. Town looked well in control of proceedings and their possession and passing were mainly keeping the visitors on the back foot. Things looked as if they could change however In the 42nd minute when Deji Ojuroye after getting caught in possession in midfield lunged in for the ball and having received a card in the 28th minute the referee decided had no choice but to dismiss him for his second yellow card. Town fans were left wondering if their team would be able to hold onto their lead with just 10 men but after what could have been the pivotal moment in the game they got a positive answer. Burnham took the resulting free kick but Town defended it well and drove the ball up the pitch where Leon Simpson beat 3 defenders to the ball and as the keeper raced towards him the Town striker lifted the ball over him and into the unguarded goal to double Town’s lead.
Despite having only 10 men Leighton started the second half on the offensive and Leon Simpson had a great opportunity after 5 minutes of the half but his first touch was a fraction too strong and the keeper smothered the ball at his feet. Ben Gallant then broke through on the left flank but with Simpson unmarked at the far post waiting for a pass across goal he tried a shot which the keeper saved. A couple of minutes after this Simpson clipped the ball over the keeper but just wide of the left hand post as Town forced the pace looking for a third goal. In the 56th minute in another good Town move Jake Bewley ran from deep to collect the ball before racing towards goal, he then drove a low cross to towards the far post where Ross Hanley was racing in and he thumped home a superb third goal to increase Town’s lead . .
In the 63rd minute Burnham launched an attack that saw Woodward‘s shot well saved by Kevin Marsh who turned it aside for a corner. From the corner kick Woodward drove another shot at goal where it deflected off NIsbet to leave Kevin Marsh with no chance. Town were understandably showing signs of tiredness as the game wore on against Burnham’s 11 men but some good defending kept the visitors at bay and when Leon Simpson was replaced by Dan Chambers in the 82nd minute the big striker received a well deserved round of applause for his goal and his lone role in attack when Town were reduced to ten men. Despite having only 10 men, Town never made things easy for Burnham and there was no doubt at the end of the day that the best team were worthy winners. Sean Downey will have been delighted with his sides application and attitude, he has always maintained that a with a little more luck his side would be in the top half of the table perhaps yesterday was the day their luck changed for the better.
Town now face another tough fixture on Tuesday night when they travel to St.Neots to take on last year’s United Counties league Champions, who are currently sitting in 8th place but with games in hand on the teams above them. If Town can reproduce the form they showed in this game they have a good chance of returning with at least a point.
Team: Marsh, Maltay, Bewley, Chapman, Deaton, Hanley, McBride, Ojuroye, Gallant, Hatch, Simpson(Chambers 82)
SUBS: GK- Clark, 12-Chambers, 14-Copson, 15-Cunningham. Attendance : 161