Ladies 2 win at home

Leighton Buzzard 2s returned to winning ways after a strong convincing team effort against Welwyn 2s
Leighton started brightly, pushing forward and putting the Welwyn defence under pressure. Welwyn’s experienced defence held strong though, standing up against Leightons pacey forwards. Once Leighton started to switch the play through the inners and out to the wings the holes in the Welwyn defence started to appear. Leighton's pressure was rewards with a short corner, pushed out to Katie Jackson who took a strike only to be kept out by the Welwyn keeper who saved brilliantly to her right hand side. Leighton didn’t have it all their own way but looked very solid at the back, Andii Chandler and Lisa Patrick both reading the game well, stepping onto any loose balls and shadowing any runs through to allow the rest of the team to recover. After several short corners Leighton were able to make one count. A strong strike by Kyrsty Hardy to the back post took a deflection onto the foot of Welwyn player on the line, some sensible umpiring allowed play to continue and Clare Farrow was able to slot the ball home at the back post. The goal, as is often the case, led to the opposition pushing forward. Leighton’s back 5 absorbing some good Welwyn pressure when they were forced to face 4 short corners in quick succession. Shortly before half time Sarah Ayres escaped what could have turned out to be nasty injury as she closed the Welwyn defence down quickly and the ball ricocheted off her stick into her face. In true Ayres style though she returned to play as if nothing had happened and continued to pressurise the Welwyn defence and close down every ball. Leighton took a deserved 1-0 win into the break.
The second half again saw Leighton having much of the better play. Leighton continued to press hard and high up the pitch making it difficult for Welwyn to find holes to penetrate through. Leighton went close to doubling their lead through Emily Smith, a great strike from the winger was goal bound but too many bodies blocked the strike. The second goal was coming though. Leighton won a short corner after some strong running by Ayres. The push out from Lucie Webster to Sally Retford saw a sweet strike to the back post where Farrow got her second of the game by getting down low to the ball and deflecting it past the defender on the line. The last 10 minutes was all Leighton pressure with more short corners but they were not able to extend their lead. Leighton worked hard as a team, everyone wanting the ball and creating space for each other, this was reflected in a 4 way tie for player of the match which was shared by Emily Smith, Lisa Patrick, Sarah Ayres and Lucie Webster. A strong team performance in every aspect and a very well deserved three points. Leighton remain in second place and pushing for promotion.