Leighton Hit Seven Against South Berks

Leighton started the game lively and moved the ball around looking for their opening blow. This eventually came in the form of a Josh Gale ball into the D finding Leighton Skipper Mark Stephenson, whose looping shot snuck under the bar to give the Buzzards their first of seven. Leighton's next goal was a trademark Dave Fry deflection at the back post from Benji Robinson's low slap at a short corner. Fry would soon make it three; driving the backline and looking to pull the ball to the penalty spot, but unfortunately for the South Berks defence the ball deflected off a foot and into the goal. South Berks called Leighton keeper Dan Metcalfe into action when a blistering shot from the top of the D forced Metcalfe to make a daring save and protect his clean-sheet. As the half came to a close Leighton would add one more to their tally when Josh Farnfield deflected the ball into the goal at a short corner.
Leighton continued to press hard and South Berks dug in deep, marking tightly and aiming to make the most of any chances they got. Leighton wide backs of Will Jenkinson and Laurence Leech created great width in the park for Leighton to move the ball around and bombard the visitors D with passes looking for the Leighton frontline. The stronghold of Dan Edwards and Matt Franklin at centre backs South Berks were kept at bay and where the lynchpins in Leighton's possession play. Robinson made it five when his shot from the top of the D at a short corner squeezed past the South Berkshire postman and his post and not long after made it six with another strike from the top of the D after being given space to drive the D unopposed from a long corner. Tom Billington caused the South Berks defence no end of trouble with his tireless running and was unlucky not to be rewarded with his name being added to the score sheet. Leighton's final goal of the game came from Gale; controlling the ball after the South Berks keeper made the initial save from Farnfield, sending the ball high, only for Gale to close Leighton's scoring account for the day.
Leighton now move comfortably into third place, four points behind second place Newbury with a game in-hand over them and the return fixture to play. Next weekend Leighton have a double header against two bottom of the league teams Henley and Sonning with two victories needed to continue take the fight to, and apply the pressure on Newbury, who they face the following week.