Leighton Buzzard Mens 1st v Berkhamsted & Hemel Mens 1st

The second game in Leighton’s pre-season fixtures saw them entertain Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead at Vandyke. From the first whistle Leighton looked to soak up the pressure that the visiting team had to offer and were soon able to turn over possession and create their first attack of the game. Ben Smith was able to get a shot away which was deflected past the keeper by Mark Stephenson to put Leighton on the score sheet. Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead were soon to reply and a quick strike by the Berkhamsted striker put them level. Another Leighton attack resulted in a penalty flick which Nick Marshall calmly slotted into the bottom corner to put Leighton back in the lead. Leighton were able to gain great momentum and some quick passing by Stephenson and ‘Man of the Match’ Tommy Lakins put Leighton two goals ahead with Lakins finding the goal. Just before half time another Stephenson and Lakins break created an opportunity for Lakins to score his second of the game by smashing the ball into the top corner of the goal.

At the start of the second half Leighton continued to apply pressure to a shaky Berkhamsted defence and were once again rewarded with David Fry mopping up a goal mouth scramble to make the score five one to the home team. Fry was once again accurate in the D, breaking past the away teams defence and reverse stick striking the ball into the far corner. Berkhamsted’s first real chance of the half came in the closing minutes and a lucky deflection off an attacker’s stick placed the ball out of the reach of Leighton’s goal keeper.

Another strong performance from Leighton showed real positive signs for the coming league
fixtures.

Final score LBHC 1st 6 Berkhamsted & Hemel 1st 2