Fledglings beat promotion contenders Staines 5s

Leighton Buzzard Fledglings 2 - 0 Staines 5s

The Fledglings enjoyed their best performance and best result of the season so far, against a strong Staines team.

The first half was reasonably even but as half time approached it was becoming clear that Leighton's determined and energetic display was frustrating their opponents. Stuart Retford was outstanding, intercepting the Staines play and picking a telling pass each time Leighton went forward.

Leighton started the second half the more positive side and the balance of play moved slowly in their favour, as the hard work of Leighton's wide players, Owen Crossan, Henry Mead, Steve Baker and Hugh Hatt-Lipscomb put Staines' full backs under extra pressure.

Joshua Wavish's short corner strike came close to opening the scoring but was cleared by the Staines defence following a good initial save. Wavish and Sam Gale gradually took control of the centre of midfield and their distribution and running at the opposition created further openings. Another short corner and, inspirational player of the match, Stuart Retford had the ball in the goal following a return pass from Wavish. However the umpires correctly cancelled the goal as the ball had marginally failed to leave the "D" before the final strike.

Hatt-Lipscomb then came close following an attack down the left but his shot was well saved by the very good Staines keeper. With ten minutes to go it was still even but Leighton's defence, in particular Tony Puttock, changed the course of the game by surprising Staines with attacking runs creating extra players in goal scoring positions. From the left, Simon Childs drilled the ball into the "D" and Reece Cook got the telling deflection past the keeper. One nil to the Fledglings.

The game then opened up as Staines went looking for an equaliser but it was Leighton who carried the greater threat. Peter Gale won the ball in the "D" but shot wide. However the miss was not costly as shortly after Sam Gale drove into the "D", beat a player and passed to Cook, who despatched the ball with great aplomb ! A two nil win.

The Fledglings are improving week by week and this was their best display of the season, giving them an important win against one of the best teams in the division.

Final score 2 - 0
Player of the Match: Stuart Retford