Fledglings' spirited display earns win at Ashford

Ashford 4s 1 - 2 Leighton Buzzard Fledglings

The Fledglings showed great determination in overcoming an artful Ashford side, in a game full of incidents.

Leighton started the game with a new, more attacking, formation, playing with three up front and it took a while for this structure to work. So Ashford enjoyed the better of the first twenty minutes but Leighton were stronger in the last fifteen minutes of the half, strengthened by the introduction of Arthur Giltrow.

As half time approached a strong run and cross from Joseph Giltrow saw a Peter Gale shot scrambled off the line and round the post. Then midfield force Stuart Retford won the ball and passed on to Gale. He played a through ball to, player of the match, Fraser Retford who was unlucky not to convert the opportunity as the keeper came rushing out to block. Nil - nil at the break.

The second half started evenly but a Leighton mistake left an Ashford player running in on goal. Keeper Jacob Bradding advanced and was adjudged to have brought down the Ashford attacker. There was a yellow card for Bradding, a penalty flick for Ashford and a resulting goal for the home team. But this was to be the last success for Ashford.

Ken Mounter pushed further up the field, Terry Cavender dropped deep and covered the space. This tactical change paid dividends as it also allowed Stuart Retford to drive further forward and up the pace of attack. The Fledglings gradually got on top and another rapier like pass from Stuart Retford cut the Ashford team in two. Fraser Retford controlled the ball on the edge of the “D” and on his reverse side turned and drilled the ball along the ground and low to the keeper’s right hand, the ball smacking against the back board; a goal of great quality. One each and Leighton were now looking for a win. Hugh Hatt-Lipscomb pressed the Ashford left back and the defender’s mistake allowed Gale to play Henry Mead in for another goal bound shot, that was blocked just wide.

There was one more scare for Leighton as a melee on the edge of the Leighton “D” saw an Ashford strike flying at goal but an outstanding reaction save from Bradding saw the ball deflected wide off his outstretched leg. It was the lift Leighton needed, as with fifteen minutes to go they took the lead. David Thompson’s short corner strike was picked up by Gale, who pulled the ball round and on towards the Ashford goal. The keeper got a foot to the ball but Gale picked up the rebound and lifted it past keeper and defenders into the back of the net.

The game was not quite over and it felt like every decision was going against Leighton in those last minutes. Mounter was harshly adjudged to have hit the ball away and the umpires produced Leighton’s second yellow card. However Owen Crossan and Andrew Barton were inspired in those last few minutes and their determination to keep Ashford at bay was typical of the whole team’s display. Every one of the Fledglings were committed and determined and in the end the team got the win that their spirited display merited.

Final score: 1 - 2 Ashford loss/Fledglings win
Player of the Match: Fraser Retford