Leighton Reach 4th Round Of The Vase

Eastbourne, who were 16/1 to win the Vase going into this game (Town at 66/1), were backed by great vocal support. As were Town, outnumbering the Eastbourne supporters behind the goal 3 or 4 times over.
The game got underway and it was the visitors who created the early opportunities. They rattled the crossbar just 2 minutes in, after there striker could not convert from 6 yards out, with an open goal in front of him!
The game looked to be a scrappy encounter, but it remained very competitive throughout.
Archie McClelland almost had the ball in the net for Town after the Eastbourne keeper came out into no man’s land, but he shot agonisingly wide from 40 yards out.
Eastbourne continued to attack the Shed End, but couldn’t take their chances. Dave Murphy was luckily on hand to clear spectacularly off of the line after a loose header struck the post and was set to go in!
Neither team created many opportunities for the next 20 minutes, with most of the play happening in the middle third of the pitch.
McClelland and Webb both had chances shortly before half-time, however they were saved and put wide respectively.
Eastbourne had another massive chance to go in-front, but they headed wide just before the break!
Kirkwood was called into action with a fine stop, as the referee blew his whistle for the interval.
Both teams with chances, however, Eastbourne ultimately lived to roux them most.
The second half got underway and the tempo continued. A fast, end-to-end, lively encounter between 2 very in-form teams!
Captain, Jordon Fredericks, went close just after half-time but his shot was gobbled up by the keeper.
Alfie Osborne entered the referee’s book on 57 minutes for a foul outside of the area.
Then, on 61 minutes, Town took the lead!
Archie McClelland’s dazzling run out on the left hand side, allowed him to work his way into the box. He cut inside, with the ball eventually finding the feet of Danny Webb and he arrowed his shot into the bottom corner, right in-front of the masses of Town supporters. The Shed End erupted and Town made it 1-0! 30 goals this season for Webb...
With 30 minutes still to play, Town knew they would be up against it. Murphy and Resch continued to remain resolute, with both having exceptional games. Resch being named man of the match.
Town made their first change of the afternoon when Anthony Leslie came on for Alfie Osborne.
Time kept on ticking, but Eastbourne failed to create any clear cut chances like they did in the first half. However, Town were defending magnificently, winning everything in the air and dealing with a constant barrage of corners.
Ashton Campbell was replaced by Alex Condon on 81 minutes.
On 87 minutes though, disaster for Town. An in-swinging Eastbourne cross was met at the back post and just about bundled into the back of the net, to pull the visitors level.
With not long to go and supporters wondering whether there would be extra-time or we would be going to a replay, magic happened. Simply magic, in the 93rd minute.
Eastbourne had the ball in the own third out on the left. Ross Adams, who hadn’t played for 2 months through injury but played the whole 90 minutes, charged down the ball and won it. He drove into the box and delivered a beautifully weighted low cross and on the end of that cross was Archie McClelland who poked the ball home and lifted the roof off of Bell Close! There were absolute scenes, as Town won the game right at the death with pretty much the last kick of the game!
The feeling was incredible and as the referee blew his whistle for full time, a brilliant moment played out of players and management celebrating with the masses of Leighton lads behind the goal!
Town progress through to the 4th Round of the Vase, the Last 32 stage. Stay tuned to see who we get in Monday’s draw.
Thank you for your unbelievable support on Saturday. A brilliant crowd of 406 saw us win it late on. An amazing number for the 3rd Round of the Vase!
Commiserations to Eastbourne Town, a great club with great people and support and all the best for the rest of the season!
Next up, we have a free Tuesday, but we host Biggleswade United in the league on Saturday!
We hope to see you there and once again, thank you for your superb support!
What a win, Up the Town!