Leighton beat Hertford to claim 3 Points

They had Brad Kirkwood and Aaron McKee with them as further proof that both Leighton teams are able to benefit each other in what will be a long and demanding season.

Leighton arrived knowing that an extremely tough match awaited them and this quickly proved to be the case.

Hertford are the current trophy holders and a formidable team on their home soil so it was no surprise that they started well.

Despite this, the visitors were also looking reasonably good with a competitive team attitude and a defensive shape that looked resilient. In fact the first clear cut chance fell to Leighton but the excellent Nick May was unable to beat the opposition keeper as he broke clear from midfield.

Leighton were also starting to look particularly dangerous down either flank and two or three attacks were inches away from being converted.

Equally Hertford were very good at switching play and had an extremely dangerous centre forward who worked the back four very hard.

As the match settled into a spell of equality a free kick was conceded by Leighton on their left flank. An excellent delivery caught the visitors out and in a flash the Hertford centre forward sped forward to control and then lash the ball into the net just clipping the underneath of the cross bar on the way.

From the restart there followed a spell of strong pressure from the home side which Leighton stood up to well and half time arrived with the single goal deficit.

The second half began in a very similar pattern to the first, Leighton being inches or one pass away from scoring but the hosts always looking dangerous when they attacked, particularly down the middle.

As the match progressed however, there was a change in attitude that started to affect the pattern of play on the pitch, Leighton were looking strong in midfield and continued to look dangerous down either flank with the Hertford tackling becoming more and more desperate.

The visitors had fought hard to obtain equality with the excellent host team but now they began to take control as they pushed forward in search of a goal that their approach play deserved.

Finally the goal arrived when the superb David Johnson controlled and spun in the penalty box, finishing with a vicious shot past the home keeper.

Now the match pressure was on the shoulders of the home team and they were unable to rest with the momentum from the visitors.

Ude Osmin and Kuda Butawo continued to wreak havoc down the home teams flanks and the Hertford defence became nervous and apprehensive as a result.

Leighton were continuing to push for a winner and their efforts were rewarded in spectacular fashion.

David Johnson received the ball in the Hertford box and held off 2 defenders, swivelled and struck a rapier like shot into the far corner of the goal.

Being the champions that they are, Hertford found the strength to respond to going behind and pushed forward for the small period of the game that remained.

Once again however the visitors defence refused to buckle and Leighton were able to keep their goal intact with Nick Walton a constant figure of defiance.

This was a very satisfying victory against a good opponent and showed the recent progress that is being made by this group of players at the club.

Development Squad

Brad Kirkwood, Charlie Davis, Josh Peacock, Nick Walton, Tom McCormick, Charlie Green, Harry Ryan, Aaron McKee, Nick May, Ude Osmin David Johnson, George Tippite, Kuda Butawo

Report by

Gary Mander