Fledglings defeated at Harrow
Fledglings falter as Harrow help themselves to five
Harrow 2s 5 - 1 Leighton Buzzard Fledglings
The Fledglings struggled against a fast and fluid opposition who took advantage in the second half as Leighton struggled to compete.
Leighton had started brightly, with both Peter Gale and Hugh Hatt-Lipscomb going close, following fantastic attacking play by Joshua Gale. However it was Harrow that made the breakthrough when they fired in a unstoppable strike form a wide angle.
Then the Fledglings got back in the game through a breath-taking piece of play by Joshua Gale and Reece Cook’s composed finish. Peter Gale played the ball to the wide left, where Joshua Gale picked up the ball, forty yards out. Beating three players on the way he drove into the “D” and took the ball to the back line. He drew the keeper and flicked the ball across to Cook who controlled the ball and rolled it into an unguarded net.
But as in previous games Leighton started to struggle with their passing and couldn’t get the ball forward and so gradually Harrow got on top. Had it not been for the outstanding David Thompson, Leighton’s player of the match, Harrow would have gained a significant lead. As half time approached Harrow did get one further goal to go back in front. Leighton however battled on and Cook’s short corner strike found the back of the net, only to be ruled out for being too high and not hitting the backboard.
Harrow’s better play paid further dividends in the second half, scoring two goals in the first twenty minutes.
John Field held the Fledglings’ defence together with great covering play, Joseph Giltrow worked tirelessly and Thompson continued making excellent saves to keep Leighton in the game. Terry Cavender always looked to play the ball forward quickly and playing on the break created the Fledglings best efforts. First a cynical tackle felled Jacob Murtagh when he looked to play Joshua Gale in for a run on goal and then following a Chris Edwards pass feet were used to again illegally stop Gale as he attacked the “D”.
Though Leighton’s two best chances of getting back into the game had been stopped their team spirit kept them going. And it was hard to bear when Harrow scrambled home an extra time short corner to complete their “five – one” win.
Leighton can now look forward to a series of home games and the chance to get back to winning ways.
Final score: 5 - 1 Harrow 2s win, Leighton lose
Player of the Match: David Thompson