From the dug out
Wisdom of fixture schedule escapes me
The Christmas period is a difficult time for non-league players, coaches and managers.
The fixture schedule set by the Southern League appears to take no account of the fact that many have families who make huge sacrifices during the season to enable their 'nearest and dearest' to compete at this level of football.
Christmas and New Year are important family occasions that all should be able to enjoy without the pressure of having to play and prepare for three games in a week, including New Year's Day! For those like me, with family scattered across the country, compromises have to be made that are, at times, I feel, a step too far.
The wisdom of a fixture on New Year's Day followed by a game on Saturday escapes me completely and, although I have no problem with games on Boxing Day, I really cannot see the case for New Year's Day fixtures at this level of football. In my view it stretches the goodwill and support of loved ones to breaking point.
With this 'off my chest' I am pleased to report that we have made good progress so far this Christmas with two hard-fought wins against Aylesbury United and Marlow, two clubs with strong traditions and both currently sitting in the top eight.
On Saturday our 2-0 victory against Marlow gave us our first league double of the season and with other results going our way, we were able to consolidate our fourth place position. Both goals, though very different in nature, would have graced any level of football. The first, a superb 30-yard strike by Leon Cashman, was followed by a clinical finish from Ben Gallant after excellent work by the ever industrious and intelligent James Hatch.
It was a victory that we fully deserved and but for some wayward finishing and at times a lack of ruthlessness in the final third of the pitch, the margin would have been greater.
Our opponents did put us under periods of pressure but the back four of Chapman, Howley, Clifford and Cashman were, as ever, excellent and the returning Lee Clarke had a relatively quiet afternoon in the Leighton goal.
We now turn our attention to local rivals Dunstable Town on New Year's Day. One thing you can guarantee is that current form and relative league positions will count for nothing.
Local derby games have a habit of throwing up some surprise results and I have warned the players about this. We must not allow the New Year festivities or any complacency to undo our good work so far this Christmas.
On Saturday we entertain league giants Nuneaton. To give readers some sense of the challenge this game presents it may be worth reflecting on the fact that the crowd at their game last Saturday was a mere 2,500!
This is not a misprint, it is merely evidence of what we have to compete with in this league. I am always optimistic, however, and if we can achieve another good result against Dunstable, we will approach this huge challenge with the confidence that is always a necessary prerequisite for success. As ever any support that is forthcoming will be warmly received by the players, coaching staff and committee.
Wishing you all a happy and prosperous New Year from all at LTFC – Sean Downey, Leighton Town manager.
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Weather for Leighton Buzzard
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -0 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
