Rugby Town 3 0 Leighton Town

Rugby Town 3 - 0 Leighton Town
Leighton’s four game unbeaten run was ended at Rugby on Saturday when the hosts took all the points in a game that was much closer than the final score would suggest. Two absolutely basic defensive errors by Town cost them two cheap goals and against a strong Rugby team they were always chasing the game after going behind in the 13th minute.
On a decent but hard pitch both sides tried to pass the ball around and the early tempo was good. Leighton might have taken the lead in the first minute when Charlie Cunningham’s shot was kicked off the line by a Rugby defender. Rugby thought they had taken the lead in the 10th minute when they scored with a headed effort but the referee had spotted an earlier push and Leighton were relieved to be given a free kick. Rugby however were not to be denied and took the lead just three minutes later when Leighton decided to play Russian Roulette on the edge of their own penalty area. Charlie Cunningham passed the ball square to Andre Maltay who was facing his own goal and he was quickly under pressure from Leahy who won the ball before despatching a low left footed shot across Kevin Marsh which hit the post before rebounding into the opposite corner. Leighton had a great chance to equalise in the 16th minute when they won a corner on the left, Lewis McBride drove the kick across and it eluded everyone including two Leighton players at the far post who could not get a touch. Leighton then moved forward through Andre Maltay but his 25 yard effort went straight at the home keeper. A minute Later Leighton broke quickly from midfield but Jake Bewley’s attempt to curl the ball into the top right hand corner of the goal ended up well wide of the mark. Two minutes later a high ball into the box was headed down by Leon Simpson to Enzo Silvestri but his volley ended up flashing just past the post with the keeper well beaten. In the 35th minute Leighton had a narrow escape when Fagan’s header was blocked and in the resulting scramble Town just managed to get the ball away for a corner kick. Just before the break following a Leighton throw in Enzo Silvestri created a chance for himself but the ball was just too far in front of him and he could only prod the ball straight at the Rugby keeper. Then Leon Simpson attempted his luck from 20 yards but this was well wide.
Rugby doubled their lead in the 54thminute, Jake Bewley attempted a square pass in midfield, the ball was intercepted by Allen who moved forward at pace before his fine pass allowed Rugby striker Tyrone Fagan to fire a low diagonal shot across Marsh and in to the far side of the goal. Leighton introduced Ben Gallant to replace Leon Simpson as they looked to get back into the game but two minutes after the substitution Town were three down after a misunderstanding between Charlie Cunningham and Kevin Marsh allowed Keen to take the ball forward before crashing home a low shot to seal Town’s fate. Leighton introduced Nick May for Enzo Silvestri in the 75th minute and as they pushed forward in an attempt to save the game Ben Gallant shot too high and Ross Hanley then fired in a low shot wide which the keeper saved at full stretch and the ball was kicked behind for a corner which was easily cleared. In the 82nd minute Leighton were awarded a free kick on the left hand edge of the area and Charlie Cunningham’s curling free kick which looked as if it would go into the top corner was turned round at full stretch by the Smith in the home goal. Town kept pressing and Shane Hill drove a shot way off target when the ball was headed out from a corner. A minute before the final whistle Ben Gallant showed good skills to beat his marker but his shot was saved by the keeper’s legs and Town never even had a consolation goal to show for their efforts.
This was a decent performance by Town who played well enough at times and the final score is a little flattering to the hosts but two abysmal defensive mistakes handed Rugby the initiative and they are a good enough side not to require gifts from opposing defences. Town after three clean sheets will be disappointed with the way they conceded the goals and they will have to be more resolute next Saturday when they take on AFC Hayes who are enjoying a good season.
TEAM: Marsh, Maltay, Copson( Harrison 85), Cunningham, Deaton, Hill, McBride, Silvestri(May 75), Simpson(Gallant), Hanley, Bewley. SUBS: 12:Gallant, GK: Ambler, 14: May, 15: Harrison Att: 210
Leighton Reserves lost their Suburban League Game at Hampton and Richmond, by 3 goals to nil.