Leighton Beat Tring In Derby Match

It wasn’t a pretty start to the contest, with the ball spraying across the surface on a wet Bell Close pitch. James Towell fizzed a low ball across the face of Athletic’s goal in the opening minutes, but no-one in a Red shirt could get on the end of it.
An unorthodox chance fell Town’s way shortly after, Tom Silford’s looping cross fell at the foot of the back post and bounced out and off of Connor Calcutt.
However, despite Town’s early dominance, it was the visitors who were on top for a large part of the first period.
Brad Kirkwood had to get down low to make a smart stop, before up the other end, Alfie Osborne tried his luck with an audacious volley on the edge of the box.
However, Tring then re-asserted their dominance. They should’ve taken the lead when Butler fired wide from a one-on-one with Brad Kirkwood. But, a minute later, they did take the lead on 39 minutes.
Kirkwood got down low to make a first save, however, after a bobble and a bounce, the ball fell to a Tring attacker, to fire home from close range.
Despite Tring having the advantage, Town set about getting back on level terms and they did just that on the 42nd minute! Ashton Campbell’s delightful cross into the box was met by the powerful head of Connor Calcutt, who thundered it home into the bottom corner, in front of a very noisy Shed End!
After the break, Louie Collier was introduced to proceedings, with George Boland making way.
Dave Murphy, who came back into the starting XI, made a terrific block as Athletic pushed on trying to find some of that early first half confidence.
Ben Pattie, who also started, made way for current top goal-scorer, Archie McClelland.
A few minutes after, on the 65th, Joe Fitzgerald went down after an off-the-ball incident, involving Tring’s 17, who had only just come on to the pitch.
The referee spoke to his linesman on the far side and he adjudged that Tring’s 17 should be sent off!
With the visitors down to ten men, Town took control of the tie.
Connor Calcutt and Archie McClelland both had efforts saved by Saunders in the Tring goal.
Ashton Campbell was replaced by Ross Adams on the 75th minute, as the Reds pressed on and deeper into Athletic’s final third!
As the game got further into the dying embers, Town were struggling to create anymore chances. However, with five minutes left on the clock, Town found a way to get in-front for the first time in the contest!
After an error at the back from Athletic, the ball fell into the path of Archie McClelland, who curled the ball past the stranded goalkeeper and into the back of the net, with the fantastic 288 strong attendance erupting!
With Bell Close buoyed with that goal, Athletic pushed forward to try and find an equaliser. Their one real chance was superbly dealt with by Kirkwood, who got down low to stop a cross that was destined for the feet of Tring’s wide man!
Town managed to keep the ball up the other end of the pitch for the remainder of the tie but despite keeping it in the corner, they went in search of a third, to kill the game off.
Louie Collier’s low drive was saved brilliantly by Saunders, but just a minute later, six minutes into stoppage time, Connor Calcutt made it 3-1 and doubled his tally for the evening! The ball fell his way in the area and he confidently finished past the goalkeeper!
With the game wrapped up, the referee blew the final whistle and Town came away with a big three points and one very happy crowd!
Next up for the Town is a trip to Oxhey Jets on Saturday.