Leighton Town FC
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Battling Town Earn A Point
04/05/08 12:45
BATTLING TOWN EARN A POINT
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 Steve Root was brought on to play in goal and young striker Bilal Hassan was withdrawn as Town reshaped their formation with Gavin Jaggard left to play a lone role up front.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
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