Leighton Buzzard Men’s 1st Team – Thame Men's 1st Team

Leighton Buzzard went in search of their first win of the campaign against a strong Thame side who have been promoted five years in succession. After a frantic start by both side, Leighton took a deserved lead, following a well worked move, ending in Ash Barnett scoring on his first team debut. Leighton soon doubled their lead following some slick, flowing hockey that was again finished by Ash Barnett. Thame pulled one back from a short corner when the Leighton defenders stopped thinking the whistle would blow for an earlier offence. This sparked Leighton into life again and they promptly went up the other end with Tommy Lakins scoring following a goalmouth scramble. Shortly before half time, Thame started to pressurise Leighton and pin them back into their own half that resulted in two quick goals to bring the scores level.

Just before half time, Leighton were reduced to ten men, and straight after half time, Thame made the extra man count with a well taken goal to make the score 4-3. Leighton were rocked having conceded three goals in five minutes. However once they were restored to full strength, Leighton started to press Thame back that ultimately resulted in Ash Barnett sealing his hat-trick and his Man of the Match award, to make it four all. With this both teams went for broke in order to secure the three points, resulting in a stretched game. Thame managed to nudge themselves ahead again through a scrappy goal. With the game so open, Leighton knew there would be one more chance which fell to Tommy Lakins, but he was unable to finish. There are many positives for Leighton to take from this game and it is surely just a matter of time until the first win is registered.