Leighton Town 1 - Beaconsfield SYCOB 0

A Gallant performance from Town gives them their first home win of the season.

After a rousing team-talk on the pitch pre-match it was made clear that the boys were really up for it and they were.

Leighton started the game with pace keeping the ball in the final third and the first half-chance of the game came through Ben Gallant whose cross into the 18 yard box wasn’t seized upon.

Town had a better chance just moments later as Beaconsfield SYCOB goalkeeper Jake Soutter claimed a through ball meant for Russell Bull. Leighton were keeping possession and had the first shot of the game as a corner was swung in and Jason Castello headed wide.

When Town cleared out Beaconsfield SYCOB’s first chance, Aaron Bufton was quick to rouse the players. There were bad tackles from both sides as both sets of players and managers shouted at the referee and then Town had another chance. After good hold-up play from Russell Bull who had been playing well crossed the ball in for Craig Maisiri who head just wide.

Beaconsfield had so far had little chances and when Omari Patrick had a chance it was well blocked. Leighton looked lively on the wing but their hard work was not reaping rewards.

Alex O’Brien was given the first yellow of the game after a tackle on Lee Togwell which the crowd and Mark Eaton weren’t happy about. O’Brien got the ball but went in 2 footed in front which the ref deemed bookable.

The Leighton faithful then cheered ironically as Aaron McKee won a free kick for Leighton on the edge of the 18-yard box. The ensuing cross found Maisiri who again shot narrowly wide.

At times it was a scrappy affair with not a lot of chances. That was until Beaconsfield had their best chance so far through Sam Deadfield. After questionable defending from the hosts Deadfield found himself through on goal in space just outside the 6 yard box but shot straight at Bufton who saved well. Either side of the GK there and Beaconsfield could’ve been 1-0 up. Moments later Maisiri found himself in the same position at the other end, a good ball was floated into him but like Deadfield shot straight at the keeper. Somehow the game was goalless and there was an end-to-end feel now.

Beaconsfield were nearly in, again Bufton was there. Some of Leighton’s defending seemed last ditch as Beaconsfield grew into the game as Deadfield forced Bufton into a great save which Charlie Losasso could have done better with from the rebound.

A minute before half time, Town should’ve gone 1-0 up. Pierre Hazet provided the best cross of the game so far low across the 6-yard box and if anyone got on the end of it, it would have been a tap in.

In the second half much like the first the hosts started brightly by getting into good positions but were not being clinical. Both Beaconsfield and Leighton were creating chances that lacked a little quality and Leighton’s problem at times was that the midfield were not pushing up as a unit when attacking leaving the forward players overcrowded and not able to create decent opportunities.

Beaconsfield perhaps should’ve been 1-0 up again after poor defending again from Leighton and Deadfield one of Beaconsfield’s main attacking outlets had a shot from around 3 yards out that was somehow kept out for a corner.

They rued this as the hosts got the first goal of the game in the 64th minute. Beaconsfield defense crumbled and Craig Maisiri found himself in space just outside the 6 yard box and unselfishly squared it to Ben Gallant who couldn’t miss and it was a well deserved goal for Leighton who had been working hard all game and you could see how much it meant to them. The goal galvanized Town as Maisiri very nearly made it 2. After great pace down the wing he found himself through on goal, his shot an inch wide of the right hand side of the post.

To try and make something happen Beaconsfield made two substitutes: Sam Deadfield for Aaron Berry and Ryan Debattista for Jack Read. Debattista made an instant impact as his header from close range was well tipped over by the Town ‘keeper. The subs for Beaconsfield worked well as they were attacking a lot now but Leighton’s defense held firm against the pressure.

After soaking up this pressure the hosts were looking the more likely to get the next goal with McKee and Gallant both having good efforts. Ultimately the one goal was enough for Leighton Town who record their first home win of the season and as you’d expect there were a lot of positives to take out of the game. A first clean sheet in the league since August will please the defense and the front 3 of Maisiri, Bull and Gallant worked very effectively. It will be interesting to see if Leighton can take this form into their next game on Tuesday away to Bedford Town in the cup after this thoroughly entertaining display.

Report by James D'Arcy