Leighton Buzzard Men’s 1st Team – Sonning Men’s 2nd Team

Leighton faced off against a side flying high in the league in there first home game in 3 matches.

The game was finely balanced in the early going with Both teams trying to dominate possession. However Sonning struck first with a fine drag flick from a penalty corner that deceived GK Stuart MacDonald and post man Dan Edwards. But Leighton fought back when returning Tommy Lakens won a Penalty Corner converted beautifully by Nick Marshall. The game continued and Leighton held and moved the ball well Man of the Match Jack Gorton keeping calm under pressure at LB almost creating a counter opportunity that eventually fell to Mark Stephenson who just couldn't get his stick to the ball that whizzed in at just under knee height.

Half time and Leighton felt confident going into the next half. Tim Bellamy sporting what turned out to be a broken finger defended well throughout stopping many Sonning attacks. As the game continued the Midfield started to feel the toll with Dan Lambert missing due to a sickness bug, Matthew Franklin stepping into his role and playing well. Then Leighton Struck to take the lead when a move involving multiple passes between Tristan Hardy and eventual assist man Clive Warncken who played the ball across a crowded area for the arriving Ben Smith to strike the ball with force into the top corner to put the Buzzards 2-1 up. Sonning then cranked up the pressure eventually winning another penalty corner that flew past the goalkeeper and his defence 2-2. In the last seconds Leighton crashed into the Sonning area with the ball falling to David Fry but by the time the ball was under control the defence had closed him down enough to deflect the ball wide with the Sonning keeper all at sea.

Final Score 2-2 a well earned point for Leighton but a game that could have gone either way.