FOOTBALL: Leighton eye play-off spot
Reds beat Beds rivals Barton
Leighton Town 3
Barton Rovers 0
After their impressive win on Saturday, Leighton were hoping to secure all three points to maintain their outside chances of a play-off place when they entertained local rivals Barton at Bell Close on Tuesday night.
Barton have struggled this season but games between the clubs have always been keenly contested and Reds knew they faced a difficult fixture and would have to work hard for any success.
Leighton named an unchanged team for the game and the pitch looked in excellent condition despite the wear and tear of the weekend.
Leighton started at a good tempo and went in front in the ninth minute when Leon Cashman ran onto a through ball and shot first-time into the far corner of the net.
Town kept up the pressure on the visitors' defence and it was no great surprise when they increased their lead in the 17th minute.
James Hatch volleyed an Aston Goss pass at goal from a difficult angle, Aaron Fletcher made a good blocking save but Hatch was quickest to the loose ball and squared it to Ben Gallant who made no mistake with a right footed effort.
Town were enjoying most of the possession but were guilty of some careless passing at times and they had to wait until the 30th minute before their next real chance when Ben Porter struck a left-footed shot against the base of the post after showing some good skill.
In the 44th minute Leighton should have increased their lead when after good work by Porter, Hatch was foiled by the keeper and Gallant following up stroked the ball just wide of the post.
The start of the second half was rather scrappy and the referee was kept busy and Town's first chance did not arrive until the 60th minute when Goss shot wide after a decent passage of Town play.
A minute after this effort the visitors' cause was not helped when they were reduced to ten men after Callum Donnelly was dismissed for a second yellow card.
Town introduced new signing Sam Barker in place of Porter after 70 minutes and Dan Walker replaced James McNulty in the 74th minute.
Town eventually secured a deserved third goal in the 85th minute after a good move involving Charlie Cunningham, Goss and Walker saw the young striker shoot low into the corner of the net from close range.
A club spokesman said: "This was a good win for Leighton. Although they never reached the level of performance they showed against Chesham they produced a good team display and were too strong for their old rivals."
Reds now travel to Stourport Swifts on Saturday.
>> Leighton Town's U18 side were bitterly disappointed last Wednesday evening when their proposed U18 County Cup final against Luton Town was called off at the very last moment.
The Hatters withdrew from the competition due to a disagreement over their player selection.
The final will now be played against Stotfold at Bell Close as soon as a date is agreed.
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Weather for Leighton Buzzard
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
