LEIGHTON TOWN 2 - 1 BEDFONT TOWN

After 5 games without a win Town got back on track with a win over Bedfont that was far more comprehensive than the score would suggest. Apart from a 10 minute spell before the break after the visitors equalised Town were well in control of the game although the visitors ensured that they could not sit on their laurels and only an excellent save by Haydn Dodge kept their lead intact.
Town were able to recall Stuart Deaton in central defence, Sam Scott returned at left back after a long absence with Jake Bewley moving into the left sided midfield slot. Liam Howley took over the role as the defensive midfield man.
Town kicked off attacking the Clubhouse end of the ground and they had an early chance but Stuart Deaton could not get enough power into his effort and Ross gathered in the ball to relieve the pressure. Town had started at a high tempo and they took the lead after just eight minutes when Sean Bishop drove the ball in from the right and Lewis McBride delicately guided the ball across the keeper and into the far side of the net. Three minutes later Town were awarded a free kck just outside the area in a central position but Ross managed to turn Jake Bewley’s shot over the bar for a corner. Bedfont showed why they have been able to climb the table after such a poor start to their season in the 18th minute when Haydn Dodge in the Town goal was forced to make a low save after initially punching away a deep cross. Town were looking good in attack and in the 28th minute Ben Gallant broke down the left and then crossed the ball to Lewis McBride but the ball was a fraction too high for the midfielder and he could only head the ball over the bar. Five minutes later the visitors equalised with a goal that exposed Town’s lack of defensive organisation. From a corner on the Town right the ball as played into the box Cole who was left unmarked after he had run about 15 yards directed a firm header in to the bottom corner of the net without a Town player anywhere near him.
Craig Wells must have given his players a blast of Yorkshire humour during the interval as they came flying out of the blocks in the second half. Lewis McBride fired a 20 yard effort just wide of the post in an early attack and a few minutes later Sean Bishop who was playing in a more advanced role fired in a fiercely struck volley which looked to be going into the top corner but Ross miraculously got a hand to the ball however the power of the strike saw the ball drop behind him and into the net to restore Town’s lead. Bishop looked a possible scorer two minutes later when he burst through but his effort to chip the keeper went just over the bar. Just after this McBride had his hot parried by the keeper when a square ball to Ben Gallant might have reaped a better result. Town were well on top at this stage and after 70 minutes Jake Bewley in a central position lifted his shot over the keeper but sadly for Leighton it also cleared the bar. Bedfont replied but Stuart Deaton won the ball and Town switched play quickly to the opposite end of the pitch where a defender headed Lewis McBride’s cross behind for a corner kick. Leighton were nearly caught out when Bedfont won a free kick on their left flank, Bates played the ball through for Clarke and it required an excellent save from Dodge to keep Leighton in front. In the 88th minute James Gray back in a Town shirt after a long injury lay off chased after a loose ball and his lobbed effort was only just wide of the goal with Ross stranded. Gray showed his confidence with a shot from 40 yards just after this but Ross easily dealt with his shot. In the last minute Gray again used his pace to leave Bates trailing behind but Ross blocked his effort with his legs at the expense of a corner.
Town thoroughly deserved to win this game and the score does not reflect the chances they created during the 90 minutes. Deaton and Chapman were in command at the back and Bishop looked far more comfortable in an advanced midfield position. Gallant and McBride looked full of running with Gallant also putting in a good shift as Town’s first line of defence when Bedfont had the ball. Craig Wells will have been pleased with this display but must be hoping for a little more consistency from his side. Town now have two more tough fixtures over Easter with an away game at fellow strugglers Fleet on Saturday and a home game against Barton Rovers on Easter Monday.
Team: Dodge, Maltay, Scott, Chapman, Deaton, Howley, McBride, Bishop(Ojuroye 72), Gallant, Hanley, Bewley( Gray 81). Subs: GK: Kirkwood, 12:Gray, 14:Ojuroye, 15:Simpson, 16:Gell Att:111
Fixtures:
Sat 7th April 3pm Fleet Town v Leighton Town Evo Stik League
Sat 7th April 3pm Aylesbury Utd. v Haringey Boro SSM League
Mon 9th April Leighton Town v Barton Rovers Evo Stil Lge.
Sat 14th April Uxbridge v Leighton Town Evo Stik Lge.

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