Reed thrilled by big win as Leighton are eight clear at Christmas
Leighton Town boss Paul Reed was a happy man as his side secured three points for Christmas with a 5-2 home success over Flackwell Heath on Saturday.
The win leaves Leighton eight points clear at the top of SPL Division One Central, though second-placed Hertford Town still have a game in hand.
And Reed told the club’s media it was another convincing display as Godlove Oppong scored twice with further goals from Kyal Williams, Sydney Ibie and BJ Christie.
He said: “Even though Flackwell are around the bottom half of the table, you look at their defensive record and before today they had the third best record in the league behind us and Hitchin.
"So we had to factor that in and went very attacking with four forward-thinking players on the pitch, but when you strip that back there were 35 goals between those four players before today, so we felt Flackwell would come here and try and protect their goal with everything they’ve got which they’ve clearly done very well this year.
"So to go and do that to a team as good as them, with five goals in total and three in the first-half – and they were goals that were really well-worked too – was excellent because that wasn’t an easy game.
"They’re a good side and move the ball around really well and have different kinds of players in terms of physicality, so it was a really professional performance.
"Last week was a win to try and turn the corner after the two defeats we’d had, whereas today was one to hopefully confirm we’ve turned that corner, have got two on the bounce and can go again next week.”
Leighton return to action on Saturday when they go to MK Irish, before their first game of 2026 sees them host Barton Rovers on January 3.
Reed added: “Hopefully we’ll see plenty make the trip to Irish and I imagine it’ll be a good crowd from them as well as they’ll be up for it. I know we’ll take a good following as we always do.
"In my first full calendar year at this club I’ve met some fantastic people, the supporters here are second to none and they’re a group that you want to do so well for, and I don’t think you get that at every football club, so fair play to them and I hope they all have a great Christmas.”