Town Start Season On A High

After all the training sessions, all the pre-season friendlies, all the incomings and outgoings normality has returned to Leighton Town. Maintaining a lot of last seasons squad Town kicked off the new season with an FA Cup tie at home to fellow Spartan side Oxhey Jets. There’s been a lot of positivity around Bell Close in the off season and it showed on the pitch today.

The opening was a little slow and tentative from both sides and openings were few and far between. Club captain Dom Marsala had the games first real opportunity with a neat run on the far side and he cut it to shoot he couldn’t get his shot away or pass back and Jets ‘keeper Harry Beaumont did well to claim.

As the game progressed so did the hosts and after some pleasing football James Towell drove on and cut a effort not far of the mark. Leighton were starting to put pressure on the Jets defence but weren’t getting too many clear cut chances as Lorrel Smith had a shot blocked and cleared for a corner, it met James Hatch but he couldn’t convert his effort on target.

The visitors hadn’t made a lot of chances but Brad Kirkwood was alert to danger when it arose quickly claiming as Daniel Taylor drove toward goal.  Leighton thought they had good claim for a penalty not long after a direct run by Smith as he set to shoot he was tackled from behind but the ref didn’t give it.

Hatch then nearly had a chance to get the games first goal with an angled shot that was inches off the post the best effort of the game so far. It took a touch for a corner but when it came out to Alex O’Brien he struck a volley well wide.

Town finally got the goal their pressure had warranted with Kai Ashley getting the first of the game just on the stroke of half time. Yet again Marsala made a lovely run on the far side and played in a incisive cross to Ashley who was on hand to slot it home.

The Jets pushed on a bit more after going behind as Rob Partington took a Jets corner but time after time Town cleared their lines to avert danger after being encamped in the box.

Leighton continued to attack The Jets in the second half Smith nearly making it 2-0 as his shot was deflected for a corner. Oxhey Jets were also attacking the Leighton defence in an attempt to get a foothold in the game but after Patru Marius-Cosmin played in Nicholas Kerley his shot was well wide of the mark. Oxhey Jets looked to equalise but Brad Kirkwood made a cracking save to keep Leighton in the lead.

Hatch then made the game 2-0 with a cool finish. He had men around him but shrugged them off and put an effortless finish into the bottom right corner. The Jets were still struggling to create many threatening chances and when Jack Robetson found space in the box he skewed his effort well wide.

Smith then got Leighton’s third with skill. His first touch looked heavy but he took the ball round the defender and poked it past the keeper.

Some say that attack is the best form of defence and that’s exactly what the hosts did getting a 4th soon after. Hatch got his second of the game after an inviting cross from Towell found him, his shot took a deflection but it was still enough to go past Beaumont and into the net.

After going 4-0 Leighton saw the game out with relative ease and in truth it was a comfortable afternoon for the hosts playing at The Broadwater. The positivity is beginning to be corroborated with results on the pitch and it was a real team performance today with some easy on the eye football being played. One swallow doesn’t make a summer but if Town continue to play in this vein of form Scott Reynolds ambition to get out of the league may have credentials.

However the league season will be long and arduous and Town start it next weekend exactly where they ended the last; away to London Tigers and a repeat of last seasons 7-0 result would be most welcome I’m sure. The boys will return to FA Cup action in a fortnight at home again but before that Town will visit Biggleswade fc on the 15th of August.

Team: Kirkwood, Towell, Hall, Condon, Mercer, Tappin, Marsala ©, O’Brien, Smith, Hatch, Ashley

Match Report by James D'Arcy