Leighton Buzzard Mens 1st v Tring Mens 1st

Desperately needing points to avoid the drop, Leighton Buzzard welcomed Tring to Vandyke for a top versus bottom clash.

The Buzzards quickly settled into a quick passing rhythm that had not been displayed in previous weeks keeping the ball and pressing high. However after 15 minutes no side had managed to create a clear cut chance with only a couple of blocked shots to show for what was a surprisingly entertaining and well matched start. Tring then showed why they are top of the league after a scrappy short corner was finished clinically bringing the first real sign of quality in what had been a fragmented first 20 minutes. After this it looked like the floodgates were about to open with many forays into the Buzzard half resulting in numerous short corners, a theme that would follow throughout the game. Despite resilient defending combined with great saves from the short corner by Jacob Bradding the lead was doubled after 25 minutes after a great run from deep followed by a ferocious shot into the roof of the net. 2-0. However this would be the turning point.
Spurred on by the score line Leighton stepped up. A combination of pressing and passing upped the tempo of the game that a slow Tring backline couldn't handle creating huge gaps in their defence. Finally this was capitalised on after Lakins was left with time and space to round the flailing keeper leaving an empty net to cooly roll the ball in, with a little help from an on rushing defender. Now the Buzzards had their tails up, playing the game at a pace that Tring couldn't handle. Mistakes ensued from this resulting in a short corner that was comfortably slapped home by Matt Franklin. 2-2. As the end of the half approached Tring cracked, there usually slick passing game went and there heads dropped. A wayward pass forced the Tring keeper to make a hurried clearance which fell straight to Dave Fry at the top of the D who simply touched it on to his reverse before screaming it home. 3-2 at the end of an action packed half.

After the quick response of Tring in the previous encounter, Leighton were keen not to let their performance slip. In fact instead of slipping, the pace of the game rose however this would not last. Leighton tired as the half dragged on resulting in dogged defending from Gordon Browne and Tristan Hardy although the longer the scoreline stayed at 3-2 the more urgent Tring got. This over attacking high press resulted in a swift counter attack by Buzzard who moved the ball quickly up the pitch to Fry who again ended his goal scoring drought with a second on the reverse. 4-2. The games pattern didn't change from here with Leighton sitting deeper and deeper. Cards were shown to both sides in what turned into a scrappy final quarter. However Leighton still looked lethal on the counter with Fry and Lakins probing to find the crucial pass in the remainder of the game. As the short corners mounted up it would only be a matter of time until Tring scored and sure enough a combination of a fine strike with a great deflection and some wayward marking allowed the third Tring goal to be scored. Still the game wore on into the final 10, Leighton desperately trying to hang onto the lead with MOM Browne putting in tackle after tackle. The midfield of Stephenson, Gorton and Marshall held firm whilst Gales' support on the right proved invaluable in keeping the slim lead. Despite this Leighton conceded another short corner that was confidently converted via an unfortunate deflection off Brownes' stick meaning that the scores were tied. Little action ensued as both sides tired bringing the game to an exciting close on what had been a real thriller.

For Leighton if this sort of performance can be continued then relegation will be comfortably avoided. However Leighton will be tested away at relegation rivals West Hampstead which is another must win int the constant struggle to avoid the drop.

Final score LBHC 1s 4 Tring 1s 4

Written by Will Giltrow