Leighton Town bounced back from last week’s defeat to New Salamis with an assured 4-1 victory against bottom of the table Crawley Green. In what would be the last game at Bell Close in 2021, goals came from Luke Pyman and front man Leon Lobjoit, who bagged an impressive hattrick as well as the man of the match award.
Leighton moved the ball well despite the wet surface and the visitors looked to drop deep from the start inviting pressure. One man who took up the offer was Luke Pyman, who’s drive into the box from midfield epitomised Leighton’s early offensive efforts.
Utilising the wings well, a through ball found Leon Lobjoit out on the left side. He cut back in and fired on target – though a slight nick off the defender helped it on its way past goalkeeper Mitchell Howe on 23 minutes.
Just four minutes later, Lobjoit would have his second goal. Crawley half cleared a Town attack before the ball fell to Tom Bryant. The left back got his head up and curled in an excellent early cross that was perfect for the striker, who drifted seamlessly behind before flicking his header home.
Towards the end of the first period, Crawley Green formed some attacks of their own - though the most Connor Coulston faced was a test of handling. Coming in from a corner, a Crawley man rose best but couldn’t get his header either side of the goalkeeper in what was the final action of the half.
After the break, Crawley carried momentum from their earlier pressure and got one back on 51 minutes. After being played through, it took the visitors the third time of asking to put the ball in the back of the net. The first effort got lost amongst the bodies, before the second was saved by Coulston. The final strike hit Ethan Flanagan on the line and the underside of the bar to finally make it 2-1.
Just over 10 minutes later, the visitors nearly drew level. The Crawley winger cut in from the right side of the box before firing low. Coulston though, was equal to it with a good dive to his right. Just after this, the game saw a notable change on 65’ – youth player George Kerr replacing Sam Olawale. The youngster seemed to fit in well but was deemed over exuberant by the referee and was perhaps hard done by to receive a yellow card on the 73rd minute.
Shortly after, on 75 minutes Bonham’s side put the game out of reach. More smart wing play led to a Leighton goal as James Towell’s ball from the left found an adventurous Pyman who headed in Town’s third.
Despite the dismal conditions and the game winding down, Leighton Town pushed on and Lobjoit sealed his hattrick. The goalkeeper spilled a ball from the right before it bobbled out to the striker who fizzed his effort into the bottom right corner, capping a display worthy of the man of the match title in the 84th minute.
Leighton’s next game is Cup Action on Tuesday away at Ampthill Town in the second round of the Gladwish Challenge Trophy.