West Hampstead 7XI v Leighton Buzzard 2XI

Leighton travelled to W Hampstead for their last friendly on a very warm and sunny afternoon, with only the bare 11. The skipper David Jackson was a bit apprehensive, as he knew it was going to be a tough game with new players in the heat and with no subs, and against a team who has been newly promoted to the same division as them. But Leighton started strongly, keeping possession and moving the ball round nicely. The new players Oliver Joy, Will Jenkinson and Martin Bailey seemed to gel straight into the team, and it wasn't long before a few slick passes led to Bailey being in the D and getting his shot away, to find the bottom corner. 1-0 to LB.
Leighton continued to put W Hampstead under pressure, and it wasn't long before LB had possession again. LB pushed forward down the right side, where Jenkinson, Joshua Farnfield and Fraser Retford all linked up well, with the ball going to Retford in the D and getting a short corner, Jackson pushed the ball to David Wavish, who stopped it for Matthew Nash, who struck it, only for Peter Gale to get a sweet touch on it as he deflects it into the goal. LB 2-0 up and looking comfortable on the ball.
W Hampstead started to string some passes together and get into LBs final third, and started to ask questions of LBs defence, but keeper Alexander Dashwood had other ideas and keep them at bay. Leighton continued to keep possession with Wavish, Joy and Jenkinson passing it round the back, then to midfield Nash, David Hooker and Farnfield, and that's where Nash just picked up the ball and dribbled straight at the oppositions defence, straight into the D, drawing the keeper out and flicking the ball towards goal, only for it to hit a defender in the arm, penalty stroke was given, the skipper steps up, Jackson cooly flicks the ball into the bottom corner. Leighton 3-0 up and cruising.
With the sun seemly getting stronger, players started to tire, the ball went to Hooker, who seemed to twist funny and pull something, so Jackson sent him off to rest till halftime, so LB tweeked the formation and sat a bit deeper, and soaked up the attacks from the opposition. Halftime came and LB took on some much needed water.
W Hampstead started the second half strong and with Hooker still slightly injured, LB decided to push him forward and Jackson play a midfield role. LB continued to soak up the pressure but to no avail to the opposition. W Hampstead did get some short corners, but couldn't get their shots away and LBs defence stood strong with Dashwood pawing shots away.
Leighton are looking strong and are looking forward to a new season which starts at home against South Bucks 1XI.
Man of the match goes to Matthew Nash.