Men's 2s v South Berkshire 4s

Men's 2s v South Berkshire 4s

Leighton wanted to continue their ways following two consecutive draws, against a South Berkshire side who were always going to be tough to beat. Howard Gregory, Kane Sanders, Tom O'Reilly and Stephen Fuller had call ups this week and they held their own.

Leighton started well from the off then thanks to neat play on the right from Craig Westley, father and son duo Fraser and Stuart Retford, Leighton got the ball into the D then the shout of "Stephen Gamble" from Wright at left back and Fuller profited with a slick nut meg finish on the keeper. The second goal soon followed, Tim Bellamy at the heart of the midfield picking out a wonderful pass the Fuller who gave the ball the Stu Retford who did the rest 2-0 to the Buzzards. At this point South Berks came into the game with flowing attacking play. Only to be denied by either centre half of David Wavish or Will Jenkinson.

Leighton defended well then sprung a counter attack with quick play around the back through the midfield 3 out to Gregory who played the ball square at the top of the D to Fraser Retford who on the spin smashed the ball into the bottom corner. Then Leighton decided to switch off for the first point in the game, leaving two of the back 4 exposed, Wright was beaten on the half way line with only Wavish left causing a 3-1 in Wright's desperate attempt to win the ball back he earned himself a 2 minute sin bin for a green card. Leighton held firm, then when back to full strength, look almost certain to go and score again with a number of short corners being blocked and the vital point by a defenders stick or the keepers pads. With 5 to play of the first half Leighton sat deep invited pressure and a lucky bobble of someone's stick in the D caused it to bounce over the helpless Jim Galloway who had been exceptional all afternoon. 2 mins later the ball creamed into the D only for a defender to miss control and it fall to a striker. 3-2 at half time

Second half started almost the exact same way Leighton creating chance after chance one of which fell to Stuart Retford who's lovely reverse finish under the Keeper saw Leighton go 4-2 up. With Wavish picking up and injury Leighton did their best to keep out South Berks only to several world class stops from Galloway kept them at bay. At times Leighton looked shakey, not tracking runners some fine work from a South Berks midfielder and a lovely deflection from their centre forward and and glove save only onto the post fell kindly to their injured striker to tap into an empty net. 4-3

South Berks were tiring, Leighton played the ball around, Wright into Fuller who'd caused mayhem all afternoon with his pace started a good 15 yards in his own half beat 5 South Berks players superbly with skill and speed, drew the keeper slipped to Gregory who got his first and Leighton's 5th. In a desperate attempt for last goal Leighton threw bodies forward, leaving Wavish exposed then hit very quickly again on the counter with 5 opposition players streaming forward, Wright sprinted all of 60 yards to attempt prevent a goal in doing so only managed to be given a back of the stick, who then vented his frustration with himself and the decision, green card and 2 minutes in the sin bin for him, Leighton held out the final two minutes winning the game 5-3.

Stephen fuller MOM really well deserved. Could be a contender for a regular starting position with all of the injuries at the moment.