The hosts began brightly with Toomey making slight inroads up top. However, Shefford battled and took a shock lead on 27 minutes through a surprising source. Goalkeeper Reece Lewis fired a drop kick long practically box-to-box and an unpredictable combination of soggy turf and strong wind flung the bouncing ball past a perplexed Xavi Comas.

The goalkeeper’s opener was the only thing that separated the two sides going into the break and Town came back out in the second half looking to put things right. On 48’, Josh Hatton came close with a cross into the side netting. A minute later, Jason Beck’s exuberance was perhaps slightly mischannelled as he picked up a yellow card.

Leighton made the most of this early second half momentum as Lewis Toomey scored his first of the day on 51 minutes. This time, Hatton’s cross was more accurate from the right and the captain lead from the front to fire home from close range. Minutes later, young Hatton would make way for Archie McClelland and this offensive shake-up had the visitors floundering. Leighton (or Leiwghrin as our rain riddled media man put) won a penalty. As per usual from the spot, Toomey was unfazed and placed his kick high into the right of the goal for his brace on 63’.

On 71 minutes, the striker got his third and compounded a solid comeback. A strong run down the right from Luke Pyman was rewarded as Toomey was clinical once more from six yards. After this soggy victory, Town can dry off and look to Saturday’s hotly anticipated FA Vase Fourth Round visit to cup holders Newport Pagnell.

LTFC XI: Comas; Towell, Cooper, Farrelly, Flanagan, Pyman, Robins, Beck, Toomey (C), Hatton, Marsh-Brown.

Subs: McClelland, Marsh, Connolly, Jackson, Silvestri.

Report by Max Bradfield