Leighton Town 2, Leamington 5

Leighton Town entertained the new Midland Division champions in their last league game of the season at Bell Close on Saturday.

But despite taking the game to Leamington, particularly in the first half, they could not get the result they wanted and the visitors showed why they are worthy champions – even after being reduced to 10 men for the last hour of the game.

Town made defensive changes with captain Peter Clifford back from injury at the heart of their defence and Charlie Cunningham returning at full back. Ben Gallant was still missing in attack.

In front of 288 fans, their biggest crowd of the season boosted by a good following of Leamington fans, Town started brightly and in the second minute Scott Thomas was not quite able to get a firm contact with his head to a Dennis Fenemore cross.

Ten minutes later James Hatch launched a long throw into the box where Clifford jumped highest to win the ball but his header went narrowly wide of the far post with the keeper well beaten. Two minutes later, after receiving a pass from Aston Goss, Hatch fired in a fierce shot from just inside the penalty area which Kiely did well to turn over the bar.

At this stage Town were looking the more dangerous side and deservedly went ahead in the 28th minute when Cooper pulled back Goss in the penalty area as he went for a through ball and after rightly awarding the penalty the official showed the dreaded red card, which may have been a little harsh on the Leamington defender.

But Fenemore showed no sentiment and drove the penalty firmly into the corner of the net.

In the 33rd minute Leamington equalised when the ball was crossed to the near post and ace striker Mark Bellingham scored with a near-post header that deflected in off Clifford.

The goal seemed to unsettle Leighton and six minutes later poor defending by Town allowed Murphy to sneak in at the back post to steer the ball past Lee Clark to give the visitors a slightly fortuitous lead.

A couple of minutes before the break Town won a corner on the left and Clifford outjumped Sanders but his headed effort flew inches over the bar.

Town started the second half well enough and in the 50th minute they got a deserved equaliser when Hatch put a right footed shot against the post and he was quickest to the rebound which he drove into the corner of the net with his left foot. Ten minutes later Hatch had another chance but shot wide.

Despite being down to 10 men, Leamington were now having more of the possession and they regained the lead in the 64th minute when Bellingham latched on to a clever pass to drive the ball across Clark and into the corner of the net.

Leamington increased their lead in the 75th minute when they broke quickly from defence. Clark was able to block the first shot but after a scramble the loose ball was driven firmly home by Husband.

Leamington looked comfortable after their fourth and in the 88th minute, following a mighty scramble in the penalty area, Bellingham scored his third goal of the afternoon to ensure the champions finished their season in style.

Leighton: Clark, Cunningham, Copson (O'Grady 75), McNulty, Clifford, (Buss 69), Howley, Thomas, Silvestri, Fenemore, Hatch (Hassan 84), Goss. Subs: (not used) Root, Lasbrey. Att: 288. Match sponsor: Energie Fitness Club of Leighton Buzzard.

Leighton finished their campaign in eighth position in a highly competitive league with their best ever points haul. Only three teams did a league double over them – Chesham, Nuneaton and Bury.

Manager Sean Downey, Paul Copson and Peter Clifford and all the playing squad deserve great credit for their performances this season.
>> Leighton Town FC would like to take this opportunity to thank all their sponsors and fans for their continued support throughout the 2008/2009 season.

>> Fixtures: Thursday April 30, Buckingham Senior Charity Cup semi final second leg, Leighton Town v Buckingham Town, 7.45pm kick-off.
The final will be at Buckingham on Monday May 4, kick-off 7.30pm, Leighton Town or Buckingham Town v Bicester or Banbury.

>> Tickets for Leighton's presentation night on Friday May 1 are still available in the club bar at £15.