Fledglings first away win keeps the unbeaten run through November

Amersham & Chalfont 5s 2 - 3 Leighton Buzzard Fledglings

The Fledglings grabbed their first away win of the season with a gutsy performance against a high quality Amersham side.

While never outclassed, the Fledglings were second best to Amersham in the first period; and it was they who took a deserved lead, from a short corner deflection, towards the end of the half.

At half-time the Fledglings regrouped, knowing that through hard work and pressing there could be a way back into the game. The next ten minutes were more even with Joshua Wavish finding more time on the ball and Fraser Retford finding more space in attack.

William Giltrow's tireless running was now starting to get on top of the opposition but the game was changed by the "irresistible force of nature" known as Stuart Retford, who turned the game round for Leighton when firing in an unstoppable shot, following a David Thompson pass. The atmosphere had changed and Leighton could see the Amersham heads begin to drop.

Leighton then enjoyed their best period of the game. Following good work down the left by Owen Crossan and Toby Hinds, Peter Gale won a short corner. Thompson again played a vital role as from the short corner his pass resulted in a well-taken goal as Hinds flicked the ball past the keeper and defenders on the Amersham line. Two - one to Leighton.

Leighton were then camped in the opposition "D" as a succession of short and long corners so nearly yielded a third goal. But the game was not over, in yet another twist Amersham broke forward and gained a short corner from which they scrambled an equaliser. With 5 minutes left Leighton were torn between consolidation and going all out or a win. Ken Mounter's calming influence was vital at this time.

Stu Retford picked up the ball and drove Leighton forward again. With 30 seconds to go Leighton had the ball on the "D" but it looked all over when Amersham were awarded the hit. However Amersham made a costly mistake in clearing the ball poorly and Stu Retford pounced, slapping the ball to Giltrow in the "D", who slotted the ball home, past the on rushing keeper.

Giltrow's goal grabbing glory led to frantic celebrations all round. The result was probably a bit hard on the Amersham side but credit to the Fledglings who made their own luck today, in a phenomenal last 25 minute effort that carried them to the win and kept the unbeaten run going. Lastly, a special mention for Connor Rowson, great effort on his Fledglings debut !

Final score 2 - 3 (Fledglings win)
Player(s) of the Match: Joshua Wavish & Fraser Retford