Match Report v Hilltop

Leighton Town bounced back from last week’s defeat to Panteleimon with a solid 5-0 victory at home to Hilltop in the FA Vase Second Round Qualifying. In front of 410 spectators at Bell Close, there were four scorers in this consummate display against the side from North-West London.
The home team piled on the pressure from the start and on 19’ finally had the Hilltop defence creaking. Following a ball in behind, Kyle Connolly was clattered by the onrushing visiting keeper and the ref pointed to the spot. Perhaps the Hilltop man was lucky to stay on, however a yellow card and Lewis Toomey converting the spot kick seemed punishment enough.
Right after the goal, Town kept pushing. Although Kieran Turner was denied by the post on 22’, Leighton would grab the second goal on 32 minutes. On the right, Turner was provider – putting a great ball on a plate for Kyle Connolly to lift over the keeper from close range.
2-0 at the break, the hosts continued the second half in the same vein. Just seven minutes in, Leon Lobjoit would have the ball in the net only for it to be disallowed for offside. On 65’, he’d find reward, slotting excellently under the goalkeeper. Twelve minutes later, Lobjoit was at the double and it was a second assist for Kieran Turner. The prolific forward was found well and produced an excellent lob to make it four.
Town firmly in the driving seat, the lead would grow to five before the game was over. Substitute Archie McClelland capped a great sequence of determination from fellow replacement Jack Harvey. Harvey kept the ball on and jabbed in a low cross that McClelland dispatched smartly into the bottom left.
With Leighton through to the next round, focus now turns to next week’s league visit of Biggleswade United to Bell Close.

LTFC XI: Comas; Fitzgerald, Connolly, Flanagan, Goodman, Jackson, Pyman, Spaul (C), Toomey, Lobjoit, Turner.

Subs: McClelland, Harvey, Connolly, Heeps, Marsh-Brown, Dubniuc, Silvestri.

Report by Max Bradfield