Fledglings and Eagles in even contest

Leighton Buzzard Fledglings 2 - 2 Eastcote Eagles

The Fledglings ended their league season in fourth place; their final league game ending in a draw. It’s a measure of how far the team have come this season that they were disappointed not to win.

In a quiet first half the Fledglings edged the first 34 minutes. Keeper David Jackson excelled, keeping Eastcote away from goal. Leighton’s high points were Matt Carter striking a post from a short corner and Joshua Gale’s rising shot, which was well saved by the Eastcote keeper. But with one minute remaining in the half, Eastcote delivered some quality hockey and a well taken shot saw the visitors take the lead.

A much more energised Leighton team took the field for the second half. A skilful run by, joint player of the match, Joseph Giltrow saw Leighton threaten the Eastcote goal and Tom Billington unlucky not to get on the end of a clever cross from Giltrow. Moments later, joint player of the match, Tony Farnfield nearly equalised; Terry Cavender’s driven cross, from outside the “D”, hit the Eastcote backboard with Farnfield only a whisker away from getting a touch. Undeterred the Fledglings attacked again and again. Billington crossed from the left to find Peter Gale, who with his back to goal controlled the ball and spun round firing a shot low past the opposition keeper to level the scores.

Leighton gave everything, typified by the determined and competitive tackling of Stewart Angell and the hard running of Tom Handley. David Thompson marshalled the defence and Jordan Field and Jacob Townson broke forward to lend support to the attack. Matt Carter was the unluckiest man on the pitch as time and time again his attacking play nearly gained the lead for Leighton but the ball would just not go in.

Then an inspired substitution saw the Fledglings “3Gs” combine for a goal of the highest quality. Breaking out of defence Joshua Gale exchanged a “1-2” pass with Peter Gale who had just raced onto the field from halfway. Joshua then rolled the ball across and to his left, into the path of the sprinting Joseph Giltrow. Without breaking stride Joseph clipped the ball past the Eastcote stopper and the Fledglings took the lead. A typical Fledglings goal and one of the highest quality.

With five minutes remaining the Fledglings were now on course for a win but Eastcote have clever players and they crafted another goal of quality to equalise. Three minutes to go and back came Leighton. From the push back Joshua Gale raced towards the Eastcote “D” and Peter Gale launched an aerial ball towards him. Eastcote struggled under the high ball and conceded a long corner. As Leighton pushed for the winner time ran out and it was not to be.

However, it was a great game to finish the season. The Fledglings were disappointed not to win but Eastcote played some fantastic hockey of their own and would have been aggrieved not to have got something from the game. Top class effort from both teams, brilliantly umpired by Mel Browne and Katie Jackson.

Final score: 2 - 2 (drawn game)
Player(s) of the match: Joseph Giltrow and Tony Farnfield