Mighty Men's 3's home to Wallingford 4's

Leighton Buzzard M3 returned to form in spectacular fashion as they swept aside Wallingford yesterday.

With only goal difference keeping them from the relegation zone and having scored no goals in three games, Captain Oliver Parren made it clear in his Friday pre-match press conference that a positive result was vital if the 3rds were to escape a relegation battle.

Leighton Buzzard began the game well, putting Wallingford's back line under pressure with a high press but initially found it difficult to make their dominance tell, squandering several good chances. The early nerves, though, were settled with a venomous strike in the twentieth minute from Tommy Lakins, which confounded the Wallingford keeper.

Just two minutes later, the enigmatic Dominic Thelwell ghosted into the D and smashed an unstoppable reverse hit right into the bottom left hand corner of the goal, doubling Leighton Buzzard's lead. The rest of the half passed without incident and the 3rds went into the break two goals up.

A rousing half-time speech from Parren (think Shakespeare's Henry V, but with a bad bout of bronchitis) reminded the 3rds of the importance of seeing the game out and pressing home their advantage.

After the interval, a tactical switch was evident, with Nathaniel Lacey, who had spent the first half cutting an isolated figure wide on the right, moving into a more central attacking position. This switch paid dividends almost immediately when, early in the second half, Lakins fierce shot was parried high into the air and Lacey was on hand to slam the ball home at point blank range. After the game, Lacey was quick to wave away the suggestion the ball may have already crossed the line - one for the Dubious Goals Committee to consider.

Buzzard's 3 goal cushion was short-lived, however, as, straight from the restart, Wallingford attacked and, having pulled the hitherto untroubled Leighton Buzzard defence out of shape, squared the ball for a simple finish. In the 55th minute, Wallingford thought they'd pulled another goal back after Rees finished smartly as the ball ricocheted around the goal area. However, their jubilant celebrations were cut short as umpire Tim Bellamy disallowed the goal for dangerous play in the build-up.

Unfazed, Leighton Buzzard resumed their high energy game and continued to hassle the Wallingford defence. Just before the hour mark, Lakins beat his man and put in a hard low cross which Lacey finished high into the roof of the net.

With the three goal cushion restored, Leighton Buzzard poured forward with increased confidence. Just three minutes later, Parren found Grant 'nose-bleed' McWalter, fresh from his exciting 2's debut as an unused substitute, and his cross was turned in by Lacey for a second half hattrick.

Wallingford rallied in an attempt to score a late consolation, but a combination of sweeper-keeper Dave Thompson's agile tackling and the underside of the crossbar kept the Leighton Buzzard goal safe.

The result leaves Leighton Buzzard 2 points clear of the relegation zone. The team will be hoping that with more performances like these, they will be able to convince the club to include the provision of a hot shower in next year's contracts.

Man of the Match: Nathaniel Lacey
Dick of the Day: Grant McWalter