http://www.leightontownfc.co.uk/test08/index.htmlLeightonTown Match Reportsenreds@leightontownfc.co.ukCopyright 2008 Leighton Town FC2008-05-04T12:45:00+01:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Sun, 04 May 2008 16:48:30 +0100reds@leightontownfc.co.ukMatch Reports2008-05-04T12:45:00+01:00http://www.leightontownfc.co.uk/test08/page7/files/b8ec74b8d28cace007bf38595c242525-0.html#unique-entry-id-0http://www.leightontownfc.co.uk/test08/page7/files/b8ec74b8d28cace007bf38595c242525-0.html#unique-entry-id-0
Despite being reduced to ten men in the very first minute Town earned themselves a point with a battling display in their first League game at Leamington on Saturday.
Leamington have just been promoted from the Midland Alliance where they won the double last year and in front of a crowd of 507 they were looking to get off to a good start in their first 'BGB League' match.
In the first attack of the game a through ball was played through the Town defence and keeper Nigel Maarman fouled home striker Blake on the edge of the box. To Town's dismay the referee then showed the keeper the dreaded red card and left Town facing an uphill fight for the remainder of the match. Steve Root was brought on to play in goal and young striker Bilal Hassan was withdrawn as Town reshaped their formation with Gavin Jaggard left to play a lone role up front.
Against the odds Town took the lead in the 13th minute when Gavin Jaggard was held in the box and Bruce Wilson drove home the resulting penalty.
Leamington due to their numerical advantage had the greater share of possession and territorial advantage without causing the Town defence too many problems.
Leighton had to make another change midway through the half when Alex McCarthy had to leave the field with concussion after a clash of heads and Wes Lewis came on in midfield. Despite all their problems it looked as if Town would hold out until the interval but in the 42nd minute Ben Mackey drove firmly home from the edge of the box after shrugging aside three Leighton defenders. Just before the interval Mackey nearly added to his tally when his clever chipped attempt just cleared the crossbar with Root beaten.
Ht:1-1.
The second half was very much a repeat of the first with the hosts having most of the possession but they still unable to create too many clear cut chances as Town battled to deny them time and space. Town attacks were rare and on the few occasions they did get forward lack of numbers stopped them making the most of their chances.
Town thoroughly deserved this point for their gritty all round performance in which everyone played a full part. Steve Root handled the wet ball well and in front of him the back four were well marshalled as usual by veteran defender Peter Clifford.
Town's midfield were seldom seen as an attacking force due to the circumstances but they got through a prodigious amount of work defensively which helped to stifle Leamington's attacking intentions. Gavin Jaggard had the thankless task of playing up front on his own but he worked himself to a standstill for his team.

TEAM:
Maarman, Cunningham, Clifford, Howley, Wilson, McCarthy, Silvestri, Kench, Thomas, Hassan, Jaggard.
Subs: Root(Hassan1min), Fagan, Lewis(McCarthy 30), McNulty, Johnson.
Referee. M.Howes. Att. 507.









FIXTURES - ALL AT LEIGHTON

Tuesday 21st August ko 7:45, Leighton v Aylesbury United LEAGUE

Saturday 25th August ko 3pm Leighton v Rothwell Town LEAGUE

Monday 27th August ko 3pm Leighton v Malvern Town LEAGUE

Saturday 1st September ko3pm Leighton v FC Clacton or Desborough. FAC

Saturday 8th September ko3pm Leighton v Stourport Swifts LEAGUE ]]>reds@leightontownfc.co.ukMatch Reports2008-04-04T12:47:26+01:00http://www.leightontownfc.co.uk/test08/page7/files/deb0daf89cf766315512e8a607b23a6c-1.html#unique-entry-id-1http://www.leightontownfc.co.uk/test08/page7/files/deb0daf89cf766315512e8a607b23a6c-1.html#unique-entry-id-1
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 ]]>