Ealing Lions 1XI v men's 2XI

Leighton travelled to league leaders Ealing. With only 11 players available, some also having to play in new positions, it was going to be a tough proposition but Leighton gave their all and the final losing score line of 5-3 didn't give the true picture for the hockey played. It took 15 minutes before Ealing managed to break through the well disciplined defence of Tim Bellamy, David Wavish, Joseph Giltrow, Oliver Parren and Joshua Wavish to score their first by the ever resilient Jim Galloway. Instead of leightons heads dropping it spurred them on and the midfield duo of David Jackson and Matthew Nash started to take control and with the countless attacking runs from midfield, in particular Matt Nash, Leighton got their just rewards. A neat one-two between Joshua Gale and Ashley Barnett ended with Barnet smashing the ball into the back of the net. Soon after Fraser Retford got in on the act with more slick passing between Josh Gale, Fraser Retford and ash Barnet resulting in a final pass from Fraser Retford to Ash Barnet to score his second. Half time and leighton had the lead but, without any available subs, the energy levels were starting to sap. So it wasn't long before Ealing had turned things around and had moved to a 5-2 lead. Huge praise to Leighton though who continued battling to the end with mom Ash Barnet getting his deserved hat-trick just before the final whistle. Leighton host 2nd placed Reading next week but, if we continue to play like we have over the last few weeks, there will be nothing to fear.