Battling away point

Leighton's first away game of the season started with great positivity with early possession and dominance. The opposition took longer to settle into the game due to the pressure they were under resulting in forwards Steve Fuller, David Jackson and Matthew Nash winning turnover after turnover from the Phoenix hit outs. Unfortunately many of these turnovers resulted in another defensive hit out until some classy interplay across the keeper allowed Nash to sweep the ball home. 1-0 Leighton.

The goal suddenly changed the dynamic of the game with Phoenix slowly finding their way into the game which resulted in a 3 on 2 with an attacker ghosting in to top D unmarked quickly realised by Tony Puttock and keeper Jim Galloway after he received the ball from a defence splitting pass. Galloway was quick out to panic him with Puttock chasing back, Galloway slide and took the ball and Puttock picked it up preventing the inevitable shot (and goal). A narrow escape for the visitors.

The dominance quickly resumed with some fantastic triangle play between the midfield of Tim Bellamy, Clive Warncken and Martin Bailey creating chance after chance which were finally put to good use by Jackson who firmly put the ball past the keeper with a reverse sweep.

Leighton's second goal and half time gave Phoenix a much needed resurgence of energy with some slick passing and overload play resulting in a goal which was just narrowly missed by Galloway.

Phoenix started to see more of the possession but trying to force the ball allowing the defence of Tom O'Reilly, Benji Robinson (MOM playing in borrowed shin pads) and Liam Wavish to step in and regain possession for the visitors. With only 1 sub Leighton started to grow tired and lose their shape and start commuting fouls in dangerous positions giving away a short corner. The home team effectively used the slip option to convert. 2-2.

With Leighton pressing higher and higher to get the winner a crash ball through from the opposition was picked up by the forward who quickly dispatched the ball into the goal. 3-2 Phoenix.

Leighton high work rate continued allowing the ball to be worked out from the back utilising the speed of Fuller, Nash and supersub Craig Westley going 3 on 1 with a defender the resulting goalmouth scramble still baffles both teams as to how the ball didn't go in. Further utilisation of the forwards speed led to Fuller and Nash carving up the opposition with some silky interplay with the keeper committed the ball was played to Fuller who slotted the ball home. 3-3.

Leighton continued to dominate but couldn't find the net.

Final score 3-3 feels like being robbed of a win but a point away from home is still a good result with Leighton third in the league.