After 3 weeks without a game Leighton returned to competitive football with an exciting performance against fellow strugglers Broxbourne. With some players still unavailable Leighton included James Hatch at centre back and new signing Dom Marsala in midfield .Ben Gallant also returned after a long injury break.

Town had started on the front foot despite the 3 week break and Hatch headed a free kick over the bar in the 2nd minute. In the 6th minute Lewis McBride who had a superb game opened the scoring, he played a clever 1-2 on the half way line and then kept running towards goal before firing a low left footed shot past Nugent in the home goal.

Town looked in a confident mood and were passing the ball well and they deservedly increased their lead in the 17th minute when they won a free kick on the edge of the box. Taylor Collins stepped up and planted a superb left footed shot into the top right hand corner of the goal.

Town kept up the pressure and in the 21st minute Lorell Smith ran onto a through pass and finished coolly to put Town three goals clear. Two minutes after this the hosts pulled a goal back when a low cross from the right was blocked by Jack Sillitoe but he could not hold on to the ball and a Broxbourne player was quickest to the loose ball and drove home. A couple of minutes after this Taylor Collins produced a marvellous bit of skill to control a high through ball and he then crossed the ball but Wilson headed over his own bar to clear the threat.

Broxbourne proved they were still in the game in the 28th minute when after a good run by Archer he shot against the near post but his shot rebounded to safety.

Town had another good chance after Lorell Smith played the ball through to Taylor Collins but he shot wide from a good position. Then Smith had a chance but his shot was just off target.
Dom Marsala who returned to Leighton last week from Kempston Rovers produced some great skill on the dead ball line before pulling a low ball back for Smith to score his second goal of the match in the 36th minute.

In the 38th minute Broxbourne won a free kick off their right wing and when the free kick was delivered to the edge of the 6 yard box a Broxbourne player was left unmarked to easily head home.

Nobody was expecting Town to maintain the pace of the first half but in the 50 minute Smith under pressure from 2 defenders ran towards goal before shooting just wide.

Broxbourne then took play to the other end and could possibly have been given a penalty but the Referee who had an excellent match let play continue.

In Town’s next attack Martin Griggs had his shot saved by the keeper and he was unlucky in the 70th minute when his shot struck the post and rebounded away.

In the 78th minute Town won a free kick, Ben Gallant crossed to Grecco, his shot was blocked but when the ball fell to Griggs he coolly slotted home Town’s 5th. Town were again on the front foot
and Gallant had a great chance in the 89th minute but scooped the ball over the bar and a minute after this he was foiled by Nugent in the home goal. Town finally added another in injury time when McBride beat his marker before firing home to seal a deserved win for Leighton.

This was a good all round team performance by Leighton and the players who have been working hard in training got the reward for all their hard work.

Lewis McBride was Man of the Match for a terrific performance in central midfield.

It was good to see Scott Reynolds and Adam Kirkup with smiles on their faces at the end of the game, perhaps their fortunes and Leighton’s are changing!!!.

Next match

Tuesday 31 Jan. Leighton Town v Holmer Green SSMFL 7:45

Sat 4th Feb. Leighton Town v Tring Athletic SSMF L 3PM

Tues 7 th Feb Sun Sports v Leighton Town SSMFL 7:45