Leighton Buzzard Mens 1st v Abingdon Mens 1st

With the season drawing to a close, and Leighton dangerously close to the bottom of the league, the Buzzards need to take as many points as possible from their remaining games to avoid the drop.

The first in their all important games saw LBHC take on top half of the table Abingdon.
Another change to Leighton's line up saw them struggle to settle early in the game and the visitors took full advantage of this. A quick break by Abingdon enabled them to hit the D at speed, round the LBHC keeper and hit the ball towards an empty leighton goal. Some desperate defending saw Will Giltrow clear the ball off the line but only as far as an Abingdon attacker who knocked the ball into the goal to give them the lead. It wasn't long before Abingdon doubled their lead, finding an unmarked player in the D who calmly slotted the ball into the goal. Being two goals down Leighton finally settled and some adventurous dribbling towards the goal by Sam Gale and Tommy Lakins gave Leighton their first real chances and a number of short corners. Unfortunately the home side was unable to capitalise on this and went into the half two goals down.

With nothing to lose, Leighton started the second half strongly and pushed the visiting sides defence to their limits with Tristan Hardy making some piercing passing. Leighton's high tempo play was rewarded with more short corners and a goal mouth scramble was converted by Player of the Match Matt Franklin, who expertly chipped the ball over the outstretched Abingdon keeper. The Buzzards continued to press high and soon won another short corner. Lakins rounded the the on rushing defender and found himself on the base line. From here he pulled the ball back to Nick Marshall on the penalty spot, who flicked the ball into the goal to draw Leighton level. Strong defending by Gordon Brown and Tim Bellamy kept the away side at bay and with seven minutes left Leighton finally took the lead. A well worked short corner saw Marshall flick the ball low to the right of the goal and Dan Lambert showing his speed and composure to deflect the ball into the Abingdon goal. With the clock ticking Leighton held the visiting side at bay, but a short corner was awarded as the umpires watch reached zero. Being the last play of the game Abingdon were able to bring all their outfield players round the D. A slipped pass out to the left and a pass back into penalty spot found its mark and the Abingdon forward slotted the ball into the goal to steal the draw.
Another hard fought game for Leighton now sees them one place off the bottom after other results didn't go their way meaning they have it all to play for in the final three fixtures.

Final result LBHC 1s 3 Abingdon 1s 3

Written by Nick Marshall