Leighton Buzzard 1s vs Newbury & Thatcham 2s

Leighton's promotion hopes hanged in the balance on Saturday, when they entertained second place Newbury and Thatcham, knowing that a win would bump them up to second in the league.

From the first whistle the Buzzards started strongly and pinned Newbury back in their own half. The quick dribbling of Tommi Lakins won Leighton a series of short corners which eventually was converted into a goal when Lakins rattled the backboard with a fierce strike. Leighton continued in a similar fashion and strong defending from Matt Franklin and Gordon Brown mopped up any stray balls from the quick Newbury midfield. Soon Leighton were back on the score sheet. This time from Nick Marshall, whose drag flick, at a short corner, hit a Newbury defender on the inside of the post and crossed the line. A change of personnel for the away side revitalised them and they were able to find their attacking flow. They came close to getting on the score board when a break away, one on one resulted in the Newbury forward hitting the cross bar. Just as the half came to a close some slick passing from the Newbury forwards allowed them play the ball around LB keeper Alex White and tap the ball in.

As the second half started Newbury looked to push Leighton hard and the tireless work of Mortgage Advice Bureau man of the Mark Stephenson, gave Leighton the defensive cover they needed and support on the break. For a long period Leighton held firm until a well taken short corner was squeezed into the post to put Newbury level. With the wind behind them and the game coming to a close Newbury looked for the final blow, however Leighton's hard work, gutsy tackles and support from the sidelines kept the visitors at bay. A break from Leighton nearly gave them the winner, when Lakins smashed the ball towards the back post narrowly missing his strike partner David Fry. This was not to be the end of the drama, as Newbury were rewarded a short corner just before the final whistle blew. Flash backs of last seasons loss to Newbury with the last play of the game played through Leighton's heads as the ball was injected to the top of the D. Leighton's runners of Marshall and Franklin were able to force the ball wide and back to the Newbury injector, where the quick instincts of White payed off as he pounced on the player sending the ball out of the D and with it the final whistle.

The league now stays as it was and Leighton's chances of promotion have now been ripped from their hands and placed in those of the Hockey gods. With two remaining fixtures left Leighton need to ensure they win both and other fixtures go their way if they are to gain promotion.

Final score LBHC 2 Newbury & Thatcham 2

Written by Nick Marshall