Fledglings regain form with a home win against Maidenhead

Leighton Buzzard Fledglings 5 – 1 Maidenhead Mystics

The Fledglings, blending youth and experience in the team, played their best game of the season. Starting off Leighton’s day of goal scoring, the Fledglings opened their account in the second minute when Matt Carter’s cross-shot, from the left of the “D”, was deftly guided into the goal by Matthew Rust. Player of the match Joshua Gale kept up Leighton’s high pressure game and two minutes later he played the ball through for Carter to double the Fledglings’ advantage. Gale then turned goal scorer, with twelve minutes gone he spun on the right edge of the “D” and fired in a reverse stick strike.

Leighton’s midfield started to dominate as Rust and Ken Mounter were outstanding in directing play, matched by the attacking running and link play of Gale, James Trumper and Hugh-Hatt Lipscomb. Despite their control, a combination of poor finishing and ill-luck meant Leighton didn’t add to their score before half-time.

With Mounter off the field at the start of the second half, Maidenhead enjoyed their best spell, pulling a goal back ten minutes into the half. But with Terry Cavender, Leighton’s form player, winning more ball at the back the Fledglings turned the game back in their favour. The returning Mounter set up Carter for Leighton’s fourth and the Fledglings regained control. Mounter, Trumper and Hatt-Lipscomb all deserved to score for their efforts today but despite further chances Leighton couldn’t convert until a great passing move involving Hatt-Lipscomb, Gale and Mounter set up Rust to complete Leighton’s scoring as he slapped the ball in past the stranded keeper. It was a fitting end to the Fledglings best performance of the season so far.

Final score: 5 - 1 Leighton win, Maidenhead Mystics lose
Player of the Match: Joshua Gale