Leighton Town 2 - 1 Rothwell Town.

Leighton earned their first League win of the new season with a good all round team display last Saturday at Bell Close. Town had to make four changes to their line up due to injuries and unavailability. Andy Fagan returned to the side at full back in place of Charlie Cunningham, Craig Kench was not fully fit and had to drop to the bench and he was replaced in midfield by Wes Lewis. Mitch Hamilton replaced Gavin Jaggard in attack and Ashley Higgins started in midfield in a place of the injured Alex McCarthy.
In very hot conditions and on a hard surface Rothwell who had won both their opening games started well and went into the lead in the 10th minute with a fortunate goal.
Bruce Wilson's back pass to keeper Nigel Maarman lacked pace and as the keeper under pressure attempted to kick upfield the ball rebounded of John Stead to give the visitors an early lead.
Despite the early setback Town lifted their game and equalised in the 17th minute following a free kick. Bruce Wilson took the kick quickly and Bilal Hassan's initial attempt was blocked but the ball ran to Enzo Silvestri who struck a shot low into the net from the edge of the box to put Town on level terms.
Town looked the better of the two teams after the goal and Mitch Hamilton and Ashley Higgins both had attempts at goal without troubling the keeper.
Town went ahead in the 38th minute following a throw on the left. The ball was driven right across the goal without anyone getting a touch until Scott Thomas' effort from 6 yards managed to find the back of the net.
Just before the break Bruce Wilson's well hit free kick was deflected straight into the goalkeepers hands.
HT 1:1
Town started the second half at good pace and looked the better side without posing any serious threats to the visitors goal until the 65th minute when Bilal Hassan raced onto a long pass and drew a good save from Baker at his near post. From the corner Town did get the ball into the net through Peter Clifford but the referee had spotted an earlier push and ruled the goal out.
A couple of minutes after this Hyem tried his luck from long range for the visitors but his effort swung just wide of the post to remind Town of the visitors potential
Peter Clifford up for a corner then had his effort blocked on the line as Town returned to the attack.
In Rothwell's next attack Stead neatly beat two defenders as he cut in from the right but then show high over the bar to waste all his good work.
Town should have sealed their win in the 76th minute when following a good move involving Hassan and Hamilton the former put his shot against the outside of the post
when he really should have scored.
Rothwell reminded Town they were still in the game and Maarman in the Town goal had to make a double save after only partially saving a bouncing shot.
The last opportunity of the game fell to Hassan when he took on his marker and tried to get in a shot but the defender just managed to get in his block to divert the ball for a corner.
Town worked hard for this win and were deserved winners because of their all round team performance despite going behind early on in the game.
The back four looked comfortable all afternoon, Silvestri and Lewis used their experience to good effect in central midfield and their young partners Higgins and Thomas both used the ball well. Hassan and Hamilton worked hard up front but found it tough going against Rothwell's two experienced centre backs.
Manager Scott must have been delighted with both the result and the performance and will be hoping for a similar return on Bank Holiday Monday when Town entertain Malvern Town at Bell Close.

Team: Maarman, Fagan, Lewis, Howley, Clifford, Thomas, Hamilton, Silvestri, Hassan, Higgins, Wilson,
Subs: McNulty (70 Thomas), Kench.
Att. 99
Referee. N. Field.

Fixtures.
Saturday 1st September. ko 3pm FA CUP Preliminary Round
Leighton Town v FC Clacton.
Season Tickets are not valid for this game.

SAT: 8th September ko 3pm BGB League
Leighton Town v Stourport Swifts