Success for Leighton at Ramgarhia Slough Development Festival

Leighton sent two teams to the Ramgarhia Slough Development Festival. Both the 3s and the Fledglings slightly adapted their normal line-ups to make sure there was a blend of youth and experience in both teams. The result was a series of closely fought games against Ramgarhia Slough and Staines, which saw Staines as the eventual winners but the Fledglings edge out the 3s to claim the runners up position.
In their first game, the 3s and Fledglings fought out a 0-0 draw. Both sides played good passing hockey but neither was able to make the break through. The 3s followed this up with a draw against Ramgarhia but the Fledglings were unlucky to lose 1-0 to Staines in their next game.
However the Fledglings saved their best till last. Against Ramgarhia there was end-to-end hockey; Ramgarhia took the lead but couldn’t hold it. Building from the back the Fledglings worked the ball up the field where the youthful midfield of Joseph Giltrow, Fraser Retford, Joshua Gale and Stuart Retford played the ball through and round the opposition, leading to a well-worked equaliser where Matt Carter converted from close in.
Will Giltrow thumped a pass out to left wing Joshua Gale, who picked up the ball just inside the opposition’s half. He turned inside and beat three players with his pace and skill before passing to Peter Gale at the edge of the D. His strike was just saved at the base of the keeper’s right hand post but Matt Carter was again on hand to expertly lift the ball over the keeper.
However credit to Ramgarhia who found the determination and skill to run the ball back into the Leighton D and past keeper Will Hoy. But the Fledglings were not done yet, Joshua Wavish urged the team forward and great interchanges from the Retfords saw Fraser cross from the right on the reverse side.
Cheered on by the 3s on the sidelines, Joshua Gale’s determination saw him get to the cross first and deflect the ball past the keeper, for his first goal for Leighton in senior hockey. A great team effort saw the Fledgling’s claim the win but special praise for Jordan Field, Will Gilitrow and Tim Bellamy who turned great defending into attacking chances with their clever distribution. Further praise too, for Joseph Giltrow, the Fledglings’ player of the tournament.

The unbeaten 3s then closed out the tournament with a game against unbeaten Staines. In another very close game the 3s were unlucky to lose 1-0, tough in particular on Stephen Farrell who made excellent saves throughout the tournament. This result saw the Fledglings claim second spot but it was a great club effort and showed there is much to be optimistic about for both teams this season.

Finally a great thank you to our generous hosts at Ramgarhia Slough HC who provided a great day for the teams and an hugely enjoyable event.