Fledglings draw season opener
New players and young players make the difference
Leighton Buzzard Fledglings 1 – 1 Berkhamsted & Hemel Hempstead 4s/5s
The Fledglings started the season with an encouraging performance. Taking on Berkhamstead in a friendly the Leighton team quickly settled into an effective style of play, keeping their passing short but accurate.
With a full range of hockey experience in the side it was the new players and young players that made the difference. Tom Billington, Leighton’s player of the match, was playing his first game of hockey: with ten minutes gone he picked up a pass from Tristran Hardy on the right of the “D” and crossed for Joshua Gale to fire the ball past the keeper.
Joshua Farnfield looked very comfortable on the ball, in the Leighton midfield, and already looks to be forming a strong partnership with Jordan Field, who was at his most determined today. The Fledglings remained the stronger side and ended the first half with both Field and Farnfield going close to scoring.
Billington deserved a goal for his efforts and was unlucky not to add to Leighton’s lead in the second half. But a determined Berkamstead played their way back into the game. Finishing strongly they equalised with ten minutes to go and the game ended equal.
Final score: 1 - 1 draw
Player of the Match: Tom Billington