West Hampstead 9s 3 -1 Leighton Buzzard Fledglings

West Hampstead 9s 3 -1 Leighton Buzzard Fledglings

The Fledglings fielded their youngest ever side but despite many notable individual performances they unluckily lost out to a strong opposition.

The first half was relatively even, the home side having the greater number of short corner chances but with the Fledglings coming close in open play. The highlight was when Leighton's player of the match, Reece Cook, beat three players running into the left of the "D" and his reverse hit cross was met by a diving Joshua Gale and the goalkeeper simultaneously: a great save forcing the ball just wide.

The second half continued in the same fashion. Joseph Giltrow and Henry Mead both had a great second half and their strong play often combined to get the ball forward to Leighton's attack. Cook went close with a short corner strike, that shaved the outside of the post. Chris Edwards' runs down the right were unlucky not to be rewarded as he twice came close to converting Peter Gale's crosses and Joshua Gale's lofted strike went just wide of the post.

Leighton were going to need some luck to breakthrough but unfortunately, with ten minutes left, it was the opposition who took the lead. Expecting a short corner award against them, Leighton's defence were momentarily "wrong-footed" as the opposition seized on a rebound from the post and forced the ball home. The disappointment was soon compounded, as Leighton went after an equaliser, the opponents intercepted and scrambled another goal with a reverse side miss hit and then scored a breakaway goal of quality.

The Fledglings were able to rally once more and finally Cook got the goal his play deserved, netting a short corner strike. With time running out Leighton came close to a second but could not recover the deficit.

Credit to the opposition and the excellent umpires who played their part in a great game of hockey but especially also to Cook, Giltrow, Mead and Joshua Gale who all had excellent games for the Fledglings.

Final score: 3 - 1 Leighton lose, West Hampstead win
Player of the Match: Reece Cook