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Sat 29 Sep 2018 ·  MBBO Division 3
Oxford Hawks 5
Men's First XI
0
2
J Gorton (0'), M Stephenson (0')
Three Points on the Opening Day of the Season
Nick Marshall30 Sep 2018 - 17:18
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Leighton Buzzard Men's Firsts win 2-0 in their opening fixture against Oxford Hawkes
Leighton's first game of the 2018-2019 league campaign saw them take on Oxford Hawkes away. A nervous start saw Leighton struggle to find any rhythm to their play in the opening minutes of the game and allow the home-side to counter attack from the Leighton mistakes. Some strong saves from Leighton Keeper Dan Metcalfe kept the Hawkes from taking charge of the game early on. As the half progressed, Leighton became more settled and began moving the ball around with much more confidence. Some slick inter-play between Forwards Jack Gorton and Tommi Lakins, saw Lakins run the ball along the base line and pull his pass back to the penalty spot for Gorton to slap the ball under the home-sides Goal Keeper and give Leighton the lead into half time.
From the start of the second half Leighton were able to expose the spaces left open by the Hawkes defence with Centre Midfielder Nick Marshall finding Left Back Dave Fry open to attack the Oxford D on numerous occasions. A serious of short corner were kept out by the Hawkes defence but it was clear that Leighton were only moments away from doubling their score. Leighton Forward Josh Gale was able to beat two Hawkes defenders with quick stick play and test the Oxford Keeper who was able to save the initial shot but only as far as Leighton Captain Mark Stephenson. Stephenson's first shot was once again kept out by the Hawkes keeper, as was the next, but on his third bite of the cherry Stephenson was able to put the visitors two goals up. Some calm and composed play by joint Men of the Match Josh Farnfield and Tom Billington (on his first team league debut) kept the ball away from Oxford sticks and in the possession of Leighton ones. With each attack Leighton looked like they would be adding another to the score sheet. A crash ball in by Gorton and a deflection from Lakins rocked the Oxford post, but it was not enough to add the third.
Adding three points to the table in the first game of the season will give Leighton a much needed boost when the host Amersham and Chalfont next Saturday at Vandyke, with the travelling side having put ten goals past South Berkshire and conceding none, this looks to be a tough day at the office if Leighton can't find their shooting boots.
From the start of the second half Leighton were able to expose the spaces left open by the Hawkes defence with Centre Midfielder Nick Marshall finding Left Back Dave Fry open to attack the Oxford D on numerous occasions. A serious of short corner were kept out by the Hawkes defence but it was clear that Leighton were only moments away from doubling their score. Leighton Forward Josh Gale was able to beat two Hawkes defenders with quick stick play and test the Oxford Keeper who was able to save the initial shot but only as far as Leighton Captain Mark Stephenson. Stephenson's first shot was once again kept out by the Hawkes keeper, as was the next, but on his third bite of the cherry Stephenson was able to put the visitors two goals up. Some calm and composed play by joint Men of the Match Josh Farnfield and Tom Billington (on his first team league debut) kept the ball away from Oxford sticks and in the possession of Leighton ones. With each attack Leighton looked like they would be adding another to the score sheet. A crash ball in by Gorton and a deflection from Lakins rocked the Oxford post, but it was not enough to add the third.
Adding three points to the table in the first game of the season will give Leighton a much needed boost when the host Amersham and Chalfont next Saturday at Vandyke, with the travelling side having put ten goals past South Berkshire and conceding none, this looks to be a tough day at the office if Leighton can't find their shooting boots.
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