Town Through To 3rd Round Of FA Vase

Playing in front of their biggest crowd of the season, Leighton started brightly and exerted some sustained pressure on the Lion’s goal with Hatch, Marsala, Silford, McBride and O’Brien combining threateningly on a number of occasions but unable to find the final ball to turn their possession into clear cut chances. Bolle received a yellow card on thirteen minutes for a late tackle on Hall and from the resulting free kick Hatch found himself through on goal but his lob sailed over the Lion’s bar and to safety. On 19 minutes Hall broke through the Lion’s rear-guard and delivered a superb ball across the six yard box but no-one was able to apply the finishing touch much to Leighton’s frustration. As the half progressed the visitors started to come more into the game and Murphy was called upon to head the ball clear as a well struck shot from Lipman threatened the Leighton goal. The visitors nearly took the lead in the 35th minutes when Bolle went close with a header after a flowing Lion’s attack and Wyant had to be alert a few minutes later, when Bolle again struck a low shot which was well saved by the young Town keeper. Leighton ended the half in the ascendancy but efforts from Silman, O’Brien and Marsala failed to seriously test the visiting keeper. It was becoming a frustrating afternoon for the Reds, as despite dominating possession, the decision making in the final third and quality of the final ball, was often disappointing.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with Leighton dominating possession and laying siege to the Lion’s goal but the visitors defended in numbers and with real resilience, making it difficult for Town to make the decisive breakthrough. As the half progressed there was a flurry of substitutions and bookings as both sides tried to assert their dominance. After a period of Town pressure, Wyant, who had been a virtual spectator for long periods of the game, pulled of an outstanding save to deny the Lions, diving to his left to keep out a fierce header from Bolle. As the half progressed Leighton became encamped in the Lion’s half and McBride, Hatch and O’Brien all had chances to score but were denied by a combination of some last ditch defending by the Lions back four and the agility of Lipman in the visitor’s goal.

With extra time looming Leighton won a series of corners as they intensified the pressure on the Lion’s goal. With just 5 minutes remaining Hall delivered a vicious in-swinging corner and with Guiney and Hatch exerting pressure on the opposition goalkeeper, the ball sailed into the top corner to give Leighton a deserved and what proved to be, decisive lead. With the Lion’s now throwing caution to the wind, Town nearly doubled their lead as both Hatch and McBride were denied by Lipman after excellent approach play by Percy, O’Brien and Marsala. In the end Town saw out the dying moments of the game without really being troubled by their opponents.

However, as the referee blew the final whistle on an exciting cup game, Town breathed a huge sigh of relief. Make no mistake this was a tough encounter and Town had to dig deep to grind out this win, demonstrating a great team spirit and work ethic in doing so.

Match report by

Sean Downey