Leighton Buzzard 1s vs Milton Keynes 3s

Leighton Buzzard took on local rivals Milton Keynes and with the season drawing to a close Leighton needed to keep their winning momentum going if their hopes for promotion were to stay alive.

It was however the home side, Milton Keynes, who took an early lead through a well taken drag flick from a short corner. Leighton however were soon on the break and a piercing ball by Tommi Lakins found Dave Fry unmarked on the back post who tapped the ball past the MK keeper. It was not long before the Buzzards were in the lead when Fry doubled his tally, mopping up a loose ball in the MK D. Leighton nearly found a third when Dan Lambert had a half volley chance hit the wrong side of the goal. As the first half drew to a close MK levelled the game when an off the ball push was missed by the umpire giving the MK forward and easy tap in from centimetres out.

As the second half started the umpires failed to get hold of the game and a period of messy and overly physically hockey proceeded. MK pushed high forcing Leighton back into their own D. If not for the Mortgage Advice Bureau man of the match, Matt Frabklin's, ability to expertly deliver long aerial passes Leighton would have struggled to find their forward line. As the clock ticked down a Buzzard attack was converted into a penalty flick which Nick Marshall finished to put Leighton back in front. With the remaining minutes of the game ticking down, Leighton kept hold of the ball and saw out the win. A messy game for Leighton, although the three points keep them in the hunt when they face second place Newbury and Thatcham next week. A win here would see the Buzzards jump back into second place.

Final score LBHC 3 Milton Keynes 2

Written by Nick Marshall