Fledglings suffer honourable defeat

Staines 4s 4 - 1 Leighton Buzzard Fledglings

The Fledglings came off second best in a tough away game at Staines.

The first half saw the home side have most of the pressure but the Fledglings create chances on the break. Jordan Field and Tom Billington both went close to opening the scoring, when put through by Alex White. In defence, Joshua Farnfield and John Field worked tirelessly, while Ken Mounter and Terry Cavender used all their experience to keep Staines at bay. But the stand out performer was goalkeeper David Thompson. Thompson, joint player of the match, made a string of excellent saves to keep the sides level at half time.

Early in the second half Leighton produced their best hockey of the game. White slipped the ball to Peter Gale who, on the turn, fired a cross between defender and goal keeper, which was met by Billington's full length athletic dive to guide the ball into the Staines goal.

Unfortunately this sparked the home side into life and their star players upped their game. Within a minute Staines equalised, a shot from the edge of the "D" finding the roof of the net. Cruel luck saw Leighton fall behind, as a Staines cross was unluckily deflected past Thompson. As the Fledglings began to tire, Staines completed the scoring with two more goals. Leighton continued to create chances and, joint player of the match, Bilington, was unlucky not to add to his goal tally. But in the end it was a honourable defeat against a very good side.

Final score: 4 - 1(Fledglings lose, Staines win)
Player(s) of the match: David Thompson & Tom Billington