Leighton Buzzard 1st XI v Bicester 1st XI

Carrying on from a solid performance last week, Leighton were keen to maintain the momentum from the pre season fitness. On a gloriously sunny September Saturday the tempo was set by both teams; it was a tough fought first half with great play by Gordon Browne and Jack Gorton holding tight at the back, allowing smooth distribution out wide to Dan Edwards and Oliver Parren. Further battles in the midfield continued and Bicester tested the Leighton keeper Alex White who pulled off some superb saves. Playing to Leighton's strengths, they were able to make great runs through the middle of the pitch from the trio of Nick Marshall, Mark Stephenson and Chris Marshall and counter attack to test the Bicester defence. Bicester equally managed to keep all efforts out and despite some equally great play from both sides, the first half ended without score.

Going into he second half, both teams upped the tempo to try to take control of the game. A well rehearsed short corner routine early on allowed Nick Marshall to drag flick to the top left corner and for Leighton to open their goal account. Bicester fought back well and managed to slip one past the LB keeper to level the score soon after. However, further great runs from the Leighton forwards Sam Gale and Matty Fry allowed Tristan Hardy to regain the lead with a well worked deflected goal in the bottom left of the goal. With the lead regained, Leighton stepped up another gear and whilst piling pressure on the Bicester defence they turned the ball over allowing Matty Fry to further the lead. The super sub Dan Lambert came on to terrorise the Bicester midfield but Bicester found a way through to claw one back.

In the final 10 minutes, all the work in the pre season fitness regime enforced by coach Ken Mounter came good as Leighton continued hitting Bicester with pace and Leighton dominated the final passage of play. One final push allowed Dave Franklin to take the score tally to 4 with another well worked short corner routine.

Final score 4-2 to the mighty Buzzards, Mortgage Advice Bureau man of the match: Alex White

Written by Oliver Parren