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Tue 13 Sep 2016
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Leighton Town 4 - Brackley Town Saints 3

Leighton Town 4 - Brackley Town Saints 3

Andrew Parker15 Sep 2016 - 12:48
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Leighton Town 4 - Brackley Town Saints 3

After an exciting attacking display from the boys at St James’ Park on Saturday from Leighton, this first round replay against the Saints carried on in the same vein of form making just 2 changes as Jack Elliot and Jordan Davis came in for Mitch Hamilton and Marcus Campbell.

Leighton were immediately on the front foot as Gallant who was a menace to the Saints backline all game nearly ran onto a through ball early on, as Leighton tried to apply some pressure early on.

The pressure paid off in the 7th minute when Gallant got on the end of a Craig Maisiri corner and with a free header firmly planted it into the top corner.

Not happy with just the one goal Leighton continued to press first with an Alex Condon longshot which was hit true and then with a Bateman header that was just wide following a Condon free-kick.

Then the hosts went 2-0 up in the 10th minute as a through ball reached Jordan Davis. Both Davis and the Brackley keeper cam for the ball Davis got there first and expertly chipped the keeper to make the game 2-0 to Leighton.

So far Brackley hadn’t had any chances of note aside from a hopeful run from Josh Bowden but reduced their arrears just 3 minutes later to make it 2-1. Bowden was in on goal and shot, it was a great block from Sillitoe but it could only be palmed as far as an onrushing Matt Hammond who striked it home after Mark Smith tried and was extremely unlucky not to clear it.

Brackley looked more assured after the goal and when Hammond got a free kick just outside the area Sillitoe pulled out a great save to deny him from a very good strike.

Whilst Brackley grew into the game Leighton were unlucky not to get a third Bateman played in Gallant who rounded the keeper but there were many Brackley defenders back and it was eventually cleared.

Leighton were now slowly starting to get back in the driving seat as a corner from Davis found Craig Maisiri but he hit his effort over the bar. Then Leighton played some lovely football Bateman won it and played in Gallant who pulled it back for Matt Hewitt who was in good space but he hit it over.

Brackley should’ve equalised when Hammond squared it to Bowden but his shot was tame and straight at Sillitoe. However Brackley did equalise just before half time and for both teams must’ve seemed like deja-vu. The saints attacked down the left side and a cross found an unmarked Josh Murphy who struck home for the visitors.

2-2 was the half-time score but not before Leighton hit the post and bar Gallant played a lovely ball to Bateman but his strike thundered off the post and bar.

Leighton started the second half as they ended the first and hit the post again this time Bateman was the provider as Gallant hit it 1st time.

This Leighton persistence was rewarded when the boys went 3-2 up early in the second half Alex Condon swung in a inviting free kick and Bateman rose highest to nod it in.

Leighton had a couple of half chances after this but it was Brackley who really should’ve equalised after Silitoe was beaten and the Brackley attackers shot was just wide of the post.

Brackley then equalised midway through the second half the first shot was again saved by Sillitoe but Chris Jordan was Johnny on the spot and reacted fastest to guide it in.

To mix it up Burgess brought on Marcus Campbell for Louis Norton and it proved to be a masterstroke as Campbell got the winner on the 86th minute. Bateman was in on goal but the keeper spilled his effort and an onrushing Campbell was there to get the winner.

In fact Campbell found himself in again but the ref had already blown his whistle.

Leighton were then very professional in seeing the game out and were deserved winners in an extremely entertaining fixture.

Gallant and Bateman linked up extremely well throughout and all in all was an extremely good attacking performance from Leighton who thoroughly deserve a win at last.

Leighton now travel to Northampton On Chenecks in the 2nd round on the 24th September but not before Broxbourne visit Bell Close this Saturday. On the 20th Leighton are away in a league cup game to St Neots Reserves.

Report by James D'Arcy

Match details

Match date

Tue 13 Sep 2016

Kickoff

19:45
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