Fledglings frustrated as Aylesbury's short corner strikes take the win
Fledglings failure to take their chances costs them at Aylesbury
Aylesbury 5s 3 – 1 Leighton Buzzard Fledglings
The Fledglings endured a frustrating game at Aylesbury. While Leighton matched their opponents in open play, they didn’t convert their chances and the opposition’s skill at short corners proved to be the main difference between the two local rivals.
Aylesbury opened the scoring from a short corner ten minutes into the game. But the Fledglings countered with chances of their own, Harry Walshe twice going close as Aylesbury cleared off the line. Although Leighton enjoyed a lot of the ball they struggled to fashion a goal and this was costly with Aylesbury doubling their lead from another short corner. With half time approaching Leighton did go close one more time, as Peter Gale’s goal bound deflection was cleared off the line and just pushed round the post.
Leighton did improve in the second half, with Jordan Field enjoying the upper hand against the Aylesbury attack. Joshua Gale’s pace continued to be a threat as he picked up the ball from the Leighton midfield and took it past the Aylesbury defence. The Fledglings started to build up consistent attacking pressure but ill luck, misplaced passes and poor finishing again cost them as Aylesbury sealed the win with a yet another short corner strike. However there was just time for a Fledglings consolation; with two minutes remaining Leighton finally scored.
Following a Leighton short corner, player of the match, Joshua Gale was first to the loose ball in the “D”. The Aylesbury goalkeeper knocked Gale’s stick out of his hand but quickest to react Gale recovered and fired a shot at goal, hitting the ball back between his legs. The ball eluded the keeper and was then forced over the line by a combination of Walshe and Terry Cavender, with Cavender getting the final touch. The Fledglings then nearly scored again with just seconds remaining but it wasn’t enough against an opposition who were stronger on the day.
Final score: 3 - 1 Leighton lose, Aylesbury 5s win
Player of the Match: Joshua Gale