SSMFL Premier Division 2021/22 Season
Bell Close Lake Street Leighton Buzzard LU7 1RX
Saturday 26 March 2022 KO 3pm
TODAYS MATCH SPONSORS
Leighton Town v Oxhey Jets Admission: Adults £7 - Concessions & 13-16’s £4 - Under 13’s Free
MANY THANKS TO TODAYS MATCH SPONSORS
About Jackson Phillips Jackson & Phillips was created when Dave Jackson and Ron Phillips decided to set up a workshop in 1971 and offer people high quality workmanship at affordable prices, thanks to their hard work and attention to detail we are still going strong today. Today Jackson & Phillips offer the same high standards with up to the minute diagnostic equipment and a high level of training. We also focus heavily on our customer care and always keep our customers updated as to any work that needs to be carried out before proceeding with repairs. Our workshops are able to cope with large motorhomes and we are also one of the few MOT stations in the area that offer class 4, 5l and 7 MOTs with a ramp big enough to fit almost any vehicle that falls into these categories.
CLUB OFFICIALS & COMMITTEE PRESIDENT : MIKE HIDE CHAIRMAN : JOHN MCLOUGHLIN VICE CHAIRMAN/DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL SEAN DOWNEY VICE CHAIRMAN : IAN STEPHENS TREASURER : STEVE HARRIS CLUB &FIXTURES SECRETARY : ROY PARKER GENERAL COMMITTEE JOHN TURNER DAVID FRIEND
LEIGHTONTOWNFOOTBALLCLUB BELLCLOSELAKEST LEIGHTONBUZZARDLU71RX TELE;01525373311
WELCOME TO BELL CLOSE Good afternoon to you all and welcome to Bell Close for this legue game against Oxhey Jets. We welcome everyone associated with the visitors and hope they enjoy their afternoon. Oxhey started the season quite well but and in the return fixture the 2 teams drew 2-2 and immediately after the game Joe Sweeney and Paul Copson resigned from their positions as Team Managers. Interviews have been taking taking place for a new Manager to run the team next season and there have been some excellent candidates for the job. Last Saturday we travelled to Princes Risborough for our game against the team most people think will win the title this season and a battling display by a young Town team saw them earn a valuable point. James Heeps and Enzo Silvestri have got the team working really hard for each other. There are only 6 League games left in our season including today's game , 4 of these are at home and just 2 away and we ask you to maintain the terrific support that you have given the team so far this season both at home and away games. It looks like we will finish in 4th place if we can keep winning the points but there are no easy games in this League as we know so well. Next Saturday we are at home again against Flackwell Heath and then on Tuesday 5th April we are at home against our friends from Leverstock Green who are just behind us in the table after a good season under their new Manager. Enjoy the game and a drink in the Bar after the game
RIP
Matt Robinson Before today's game we will be paying our respects to Matt Robinson, a former Leighton Town Youth coach and Beds FA referee, who sadly passed away recently. Matt was a coach at Leighton Town for a number of years, and we are extremely gratefully for his loyal service and contribution to the club during this time. With an infectious smile and big personality to match, Matt had a massive influence on so many players during his time at the club. Matt's family are here with us today, and on behalf of all involved at the Club we send our deepest condolences at this extremely sad time. Joining Matt's family are some of his former players, and their families, who will be accompanying both teams on the pitch as we hold a minutes silence before the game. Matt will be sorely missed by all that knew him, but we will cherish so many happy memories of a great man. RIP, Matt
Premier Division Fixtures Saturday 26th March Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Risborough Rangers Crawley Green v Ardley United Dunstable Town v Leverstock Green Hadley v Broadfields United Harefield United v Arlesey Town Harpenden Town v Baldock Town Holmer Green v Flackwell Heath Leighton Town v Oxhey Jets London Colney v Tring Athletic Milton Keynes Irish v New Salamis
Saturday 2nd April Arlesey Town v Oxhey Jets Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v London Colney Broadfields United v Harpenden Town Hadley v Milton Keynes Irish Holmer Green v Dunstable Town Leighton Town v Flackwell Heath New Salamis v Harefield United Risborough Rangers v Baldock Town Tring Athletic v Ardley United
CLUB HISTORY The current General Manager John Elliott founded Oxhey Jets in 1972. Playing their first season as an under 12 team in the South West Herts Youth League, having been playing friendly matches as the 2nd Oxhey Boys Brigade team for two years before that. A winning start in the League cup final on the last game of the season saw the club move on, and more youth sides were added to the clubs structure, with the original side moving up through the age groups. In the 1978-79 season the team having out grown youth football moved to the Watford and District men’s Saturday league, and at the first attempt won the Division one championship without dropping a point, this prompted an application to the Hertfordshire Senior County League, which was turned down because their home ground was an open playing fields. We instead went into the West Herts Saturday league, and started to prepare the old school pitch at the Chilwell Gardens site ready for another application to join the County League. Chilwell was ready for use and the runners up spot was secured with Three matches to spare, and became the first Oxhey side in history to win The Watford Peace Memorial Shield. The Herts Senior County League was increased in size and Oxhey were elected into Division one in 1981 and were promoted to the Premier division in 1983. The Biggest change to happen to the club was in the 2000-2001 season having moved from their old Chilwell Gardens site, to a new Two million pound complex in Altham Way (using Met Police Bushey for a season), Jets new ground; “The Boundary Stadium” was built to almost Rymans League standard. While the ground was being built, the First team secured there highest ever Honour, Premier Division Champions of the Hertfordshire Senior County League, and the reserves finished Champions as well. This was to be the start of the best run the club, and County had ever seen. The following season the first team retained the Championship, while becoming the first team to add the prestigious Aubrey cup and the Hertfordshire Senior Charity County Cup in the same season, the Reserves also retained the championship and added the reserve cup as well to become another first in the County league, winning the double-double. 2002-03 saw the records come tumbling again as all were retained by the first and reserves and the Rickmansworth Charity cup was added to the haul on Easter Monday by the first team for the first time, giving the clean sweep. 2003-04 started with only one aim, promotion to the Minerva South Midlands league, with all the ground improvements complete, the team needed to do the job one more time, as this time the application for the much earn promotion would be made. This aim has been achieved as the First team secured a top two place. They also won the Rickmansworth charity cup again and were Winners of the Highly Prestigious St Mary’s Cup. The Reserves retained the World Class Homes Reserve Division one Championship and won the Minerva South Midlands Reserve Floodlight Cup at the first attempt beating holders Dunstable in the final. The 4th team finished R/up in the West Herts League Div 2 and the Sunday team crowned a great season by winning the Marathon Sunday Leagues Charity Cup and were runners up in the League. 2004-05 Season was beyond anybodies dream in the club, the first team winning a treble trophy season. The Minerva Division one Championship was won at the first attempt, winning the division by seven points clear, this was added to the Hertfordshire
Centenary Trophy that had been won at The Letchworth County ground in April, beating Hatfield Town 2-0. The triple was sealed in the last game of the season, beating Tring Athletic in the Minerva Floodlight cup final on penalties after a 0-0aet game. The division one-cup final was lost to Biggleswade. The 2005-06 season, our first in the premier division, saw us finish in 13th place. We entered the FA Cup for the first time and reached the semi-final of the Herts FA Senior Challenge Cup where we lost to Bishop’s Stortford in extra time. Our path to the semifinal gave us our first ever fixture against football league opposition when we met Barnet at home. Our 2 – 1 victory was watched by a club record crowd of 257, an event that was marked by a presentation to the club, from Barnet, to commemorate the occasion. The 2006-07 season was without doubt the Clubs best ever season, finishing 7th in the Premier Division and reaching the Premier Division cup final where we lost to Edgware Town by the only goal of a closely fought cup tie. The highlight of the season was in the FA Cup when we visited AFC Wimbledon in the second qualifying round, where despite defeat we all spent an unforgettable day. In the FA Vase we reached the third round proper where we lost at Ipswich Wanderers. Our giant killing act continued in the Herts Senior Challenge Cup when we defeated St. Albans City by 4 goals to 1 before losing, in the next round, to Borehamwood in extra time, after drawing 1 – 1 at the end of normal time. The 2007-08 season was a difficult one for the Club due to the long term injuries suffered by many of the key players. We finished in 19th position in the league and lost to Welwyn Garden City in the Herts FA Charity Shield semi-final. We did however reach the final of the St. Mary’s Cup where we were soundly beaten 5 – 1 by Hemel Hempstead Town from the BGB Football League. The 2008 – 09 season saw us finish in 13th position in the league and we reached the final of the South Midlands Floodlight Cup where we lost by 2 goals to 1 to Royston Town. Our Reserve team finished as champions of Reserve Division 1 which they won by 9 clear points. The Club reached two County Finals during the 2009-10 season. The first being the Intermediate Cup, where the Reserves were beaten 3 – 0 by Hemel Hempstead Town Reserves. Our second visit to The County Ground saw us win the Charity Shield, for the first time, beating St Margaretsbury, by 4 goals to 2. In the League our reserve team retained the Reserve Division 1 title and the first team finished a very creditable 11th following a poor start to the season. We again reached the St. Mary’s cup final, finishing once more as runners-up to Hemel Hempstead Town. The 2010-11 season saw us finish in 19th position, which equalled our worst ever position since joining the league. Our reserves finished as runners-up, losing the league title, which they had held for two years, on the last day of the season. We needed a victory at Crawley Green, but we could only draw with, what was their first team, and Hadley beat us to the title.
During the 2011-12 season, as we approached the club’s 40th anniversary, we were once again a successful cup team despite our lowly 17th position finish in the premier division. We were only the second South Midlands side to reach the Herts Senior Challenge Cup Final where we met and were well beaten by Bishops Stortford. Our second county final saw us beat Kings Langley in the Herts FA Charity Shield to lift the title for the second time in the last three seasons. Our third cup final was The St Mary’s Cup where we again met Hemel Hempstead Town, and the only goal of the game from Andrew Lomas secured victory for us over our old rivals in this competition. During the season we broke our club attendance when a total of 376 supporters watched as we were narrowly beaten by Hendon by 2 goals to 1 in the FA Cup. The 2012-13 season was the clubs most successful league season. Due to the worst weather for many years we finished the last few weeks of the season playing 3 matches each week and the runners-up spot was lost on the last day of the season. We finished in 3rd position behind Aylesbury United and Dunstable Town, who completed the season without losing a league fixture. We retained the Herts FA Charity Shield defeating Hertford Town 4 – 0 in the final, and the last match of the season in mid May saw us beat Cockfosters to win the South Midlands Floodlight Cup. In Her Majesty the Queens 2013 birthday honours list the club founder John Elliott was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to young people and the community in South Oxhey. This was a great and much deserved reward for over 40 years of hard work creating and managing Oxhey Jets Football Club. The start of the 2013-14 season was a difficult one for the Club as we found out that all except three of last season’s team had decided to move to other clubs. With just two weeks to kick off Wayne Gladdy was appointed as manager to try and put a team together. At the end of January with just 20 points gained, Wayne started to recruit new players and from then on we only lost one league match which secured our status for the new season. We also reached the final of the St Mary’s Cup where we beat Leverstock Green 3 – 2. Our reserves finished as runners-up in the Herts FA Intermediate Cup and our Academy team were winners of the Allied Counties East Division. The 2014-15 season saw us continue building for the future under our manager Wayne Gladdy and we finished mid table in 12th position with 57 points. Our success was largely due to the goals from Lee Armitt who finished as the league’s leading goalscorer with 35 goals in 30 games. Our Third team, consisting of our most senior players, reached two cup finals run by the West Herts Saturday league but unfortunately finished as runners-up in both. After two managerial changes at the start of the 2015-16 campaign we found ourselves in a relegation battle during the second half of the season. Bob Wyatt took over the reins and following many new signings a more settled side was found for the last two months and a 17th position was achieved. The re-building will continue next season. Our Academy provides a source of new talent and several members have played at both reserve and first team levels during the season. Our Vets team reached the Webster cup final and finished runners-up losing to the only goal of the game.
The 2016-17 season saw us continue the rebuilding process under manager Lee Stedman and a 15th position with a points total of 49 was achieved. Our final run in saw us lose just one of our last eight league fixtures and we were awarded team of the month for April. Our Vets team for the third year running reached the Webster cup final and again finished as runners-up. They did however finish as Division 1 champions beating their closest rivals The Engineer in the last match of the season. The 2017 – 18 season saw us struggling to achieve a mid -table finish and with just a few matches left to play we were in a relegation position. With the help of new managers Tim O’Sullivan and Pat Fallon we won our last two fixtures and secured our premier division status. We now look forward to the new season. Our Vets team finished as league runners-up in their first season in the Herts Senior County League Our managers Tim and Pat in the 2018-19 season took us to 9th position in the league which was our highest finish since 2013. The last match of the season saw us in the final of the West Herts FA St. Mary’s Cup where we narrowly lost by the only goal of the game to Berkhamsted. The reserve team were the team of the season, winning the Herts FA Intermediate Cup at the County Ground beating Royston Town Reserves by 2 goals to nil. They finished as runners-up in the Herts County League Senior Division and also reached the final of the Aubrey Cup where they lost by the odd goal in three to premier division runners-up New Salamis who will be playing in the Spartan South Midlands League from next season. The 2019 – 20 season saw Stuart Atkins appointed as first team manger following the retirement from football management of Tim and Pat. The season was disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic and was curtailed after March 7th with us in 5th position after the 29 matches played. The start of the 2020 -21 season was delayed due to the pandemic. Matches started during mid -September and we only managed to complete 12 league matches when lockdown was introduced and the league was once again curtailed. At this stage we were in 2nd position with 25 points.
LEAGUE HISTORY The League is relatively young compared to other’s being formed in 1922 as the Bedfordshire County League. With new clubs keen to join from outside the County it was decided in 1929 to change the name to the South Midlands League. The League continued to consolidate and strengthen over the ensuing 70 years or so providing quality football for many teams over a large area of the South Midlands. In 1997 it became apparent that the London Spartan League, which was very much to the South of the League’s geographical footprint, was struggling administratively and, with the full support of the Football Association, the decision was taken to merge the two competitions with the new League being known as the Spartan South Midlands League. The League now covers a wide area from North London in the South to Milton Keynes in the North and from Ware in the East to Aylesbury in the West. The League is part of the FA’s National League System (NLS) and comprises of three Divisions; Premier at Step 5 of the NLS, Division One at Step 6 and Division Two at Step 7. The League has a proud record of promoting clubs to Step 4 of the NLS and has also provided 4 FA Vase Finalists including two winners in Arlesey Town and Hoddesdon Town FC.
SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE
PREMIER DIVISION
Ardley United
Arlesey Town
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos
Crawley Green
Dunstable Town Flackwell Heath
Harpenden Town
Holmer Green
MK Irish
New Salamis
Baldock Town
Hadley
Broadfields Utd
Harefield United
Leighton Town Leverstock Green London Colney
Oxhey Jets
Risborough Rangers Tring Athletic
Spartan South Midlands League CLUB Ardley United
Pemier Division Directory ADDRESS
PHONE
Hadley
The Nolan Oils Ground Ardley Playing Field Oxford Rd OX27 7PA New lamb Meadow Hitchin Rd SG15 6RS The Greenfleets Stadium Haywood Way HP19 9WZ New Lamb Meadow Hitchin Rd SG15 6RS Tithe Farm Social Club Rayners Lane HA2 0XH The Stadium at the Brache Park St Luton LU1 3HH Creasey Park Drive Dunstable LU6 1BB Wilks Park Magpie Lane Bucks HP10 9EA Brickfield Lane Arkley Barnet EN5 3LD
Harefield United
Preston Park Breakspear Rd UB9 6NE 01895 823474
Harpenden Town
Rothamstead Park Amenbury Lane AL5 2EF Watchet Lane High Wycombe HP15 6UF Bell Close Lake St Leighton Buzzard LU7 1RX Pancake Lane Leverstock Green HP2 4NQ Cotlandswick Playing Field London Colney AL2 1DW The Irish Centre Manor Fields MK2 2HX Coles Park White Hart Lane N17 7JP
Arlesey Town Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Baldock Town Broadfields United Crawley Green Dunstable Town Flackwell Heath
Holmer Green Leighton Town Leverstock Green London Colney MK Irish New Salamis Oxhey Jets Risborough Rangers Tring Athletic
The Boundary Stadium Altham Way WD19 6FW BEP Stadium Horseden Lane HP27 9NE The Grass Roots Stadium Cow Lane Tring HP23 5NT
07793 804643 or 07467 549294 07910 110720 07557 982908 01462 734504 0208 8688724 07762 752213 or 700883
07796 955197 01494 711485 01525 373311 01442 246280 01727 822132 01908 375978 07534 874734 0208 4216277 07849 843632 01442 891144
The History of Leighton Town Football Club Leighton Town, who were known as Leighton United between 1922 and 1963, were formed in 1885. They were mainly involved in local leagues until the outbreak of the Great War and were winners of the Leighton and District League on several occasions. Leighton were one of the original members of the South Midland League in 1922 – which at the time was known as the Bedfordshire County League. They were also members of the Spartan League between 1922/23 and 1951/52, but their only successes being the Spartan League Division 2 title in 1923/24 and 1927/28. They were Bedfordshire Senior Cup winners in 1926/27. In 1952, they became a founder member of the Hellenic League, but after two disappointing seasons, moved to the South Midlands League. In 1965/66 season however, the Premier Championship sat in the Leighton Town Boardroom. The club then rejoined the Spartan League in 1967/68. Leighton proceeded to consolidate their League success by winning the Bedfordshire Senior Cup for three successive seasons in 1968, 1969 and 1970. Unfortunately, some of the successful players moved on to other clubs, and Leighton’s fortunes again declined. A move to the United Counties League proved disastrous and after just two seasons, the club rejoined the South Midlands League. During the ‘70’s and ‘80’s, Leighton were unable to capture the success of the ‘60’s. In 1990/1991 the First Team won the South Midlands League Challenge Trophy and the O’Brien’s Premier Division Cup, both for the first time in the club’s history. The 1991/2 season was one of the club’s best. The South Midlands Premier Division title, which had eluded the club for so long, was won, and with it a place in the Isthmian League. 1992/3 saw the Club’s success continue when they won the Bedfordshire Senior Cup for the first time since 1970. The Club missed out on promotion in their first Isthmian League season by just a single point but the Youth Team retained the County Cup. 1995/6 saw the First Team win promotion to Division 2 of the Isthmian League, whilst at the same time retaining the Buckingham Charity Cup. In the 1996/7 season, Leighton won the Isthmian League Associated Members Trophy for the first time. 1998/99 saw the return of the Associated Members Trophy and the Buckingham Charity Cup.
Season 2003/04 Leighton won the Ryman Isthmian Second Division title. They were also named Ryman Division Two Team of the Year, and Paul Burgess was awarded Manager of the Year. They also reached the Fifth round of the FA Vase, and the final of the Beds Senior Cup, before losing to Andover and Arlesey Town respectively. The 2004-05 season saw the club placed in The Southern League East Division and finished in a creditable tenth place. They also won the Buckinghamshire Charity Cup. The Reserves won the Bedfordshire Intermediate Cup and the U18’s won the SCYFL League Shield. The 05-06 Season saw the Club progress again, improving on the year before, as they finished 8th in The Southern League Western Division. After a poor start, League results improved and the side only suffered four defeats from the start of November until the end of March, a play-off place just eluding them. After three excellent victories interest in the FA.Trophy competition ended with a single goal defeat to eventual semi-finalists, Borehamwood. The Club also reached the Beds Senior Cup Final, but sadly they again finished as Runners Up. The Club were relocated to the Southern League Midland Division for 06-07 season but only one League win in the first six games and early exits in the two FA Competitions cost Paul Burgess his job in September. He was replaced by former Wycombe professional Keith Scott, results did improve but it was a disappointing season, although Town did win the Bucks Senior Charity Cup. The 07-08 started brightly with the first League defeat not coming until mid-October. Three wins in the FA Cup saw the Club reach the 4th Qualifying Round for the first time in it’s history. A 3-0 defeat to Conference South, Havant and Waterlooville finally ended the run. Keith Scott then left in December to join Windsor and Eton. In January 2008, Assistant Manager Sean Downey was appointed as First Team Manager and did a splendid job as the Club ended their League season in 9th place, winning the Bucks Charity Cup and reaching the final of the Beds Senior Cup once more. The 08/09 Season the First Team finished 8th in the Southern League, Midland Division, achieving their highest points total to date at that level. The 09/10 season saw Leighton once again finish in the top half of the table, when they finished in 9th place and they also lost the Bedfordshire Senior Cup Final to Southern League rivals, Arlesey Town after penalties. Season 2010/2011, saw Town finish in 7th place in the League, gaining 69 points,their best performance since joining the Southern Football
League. The 2011/2012 a poor season saw Leighton finish in their lowest position for several years. 2012/13 was also very disappointing for the First Team as they finished in 20th place. 2015/2016 After 3 disappointing seasons Leighton finished the season in the bottom two of the Southern League Central Division and were relegated to the Spartan South Midlands League where they had last played in the 1991/92 season. 2016/2017 This was a disappointing season with the club struggling for much of the time after yet another Managerial Change. Things did pick up towards the end of the season and we eventually finished in 16th place. 2017/18 The club retained Scott Reynolds as Manager and finished 4th in the League and reached the Quarter Finals of the FA VASE. Gates improved and it was our best season for about 8 years, 2018/2019 Manager, Scott Reynolds resigned in the close season and Danny Nicholls was appointed as Manager but left in October due to work commitments. The Club then appointed Joe Sweeney and Paul Copson, who had previously won the Premier division title with London Colney as their new Management Team. They steadied the ship and we finished in mid table. 2019/2020 Was a good season for the Club as we again reached the Quarter Final of the FA Vase and after a slow start in the League the team started to find some good form as we slowly climbed up the table. The team were also awarded the Team of the Month twice. 2020/2021 Town for the third time in 4 seasons reached the Quarter Final of the FA Vase but sadly lost out to 2 late penalties. An indifferent start in the League meant we could not quite gain the points needed to gain promotion in a Covid affected season. 2021/2022 Leighton are hoping to be challenging at the top end of the table but we are well aware that this is a difficult Division and several other strong teams will be competing to finish in the top 2 places. .
CLUB SPONSORS
Paul Bonham Steps Down as First Team Manager It is with huge regret that the club announces the resignation of Paul Bonham from his role as First Team Manager. As we reported last week, Paul is due to undergo a serious operation on his back. After discussions with his surgeon and consultant it became clear that he could not be certain that he will recover in time to properly prepare the club for next season. Paul discussed this with Club Chairman John McLaughlin and both agreed that the uncertainty and potential instability that this could cause would not be in the best interests of the club. In such circumstances a mutual decision was made for Paul to step down from his role as First Team Manager. Paul has been a pleasure to work with and will be missed. It is never easy taking the reins of a club mid-season but Paul successfully stabilised the club and enabled it to remain competitive. We sincerely thank him for all his hard work and wish him a speedy and full recovery from his back surgery. He and his lovely family will always be welcome at our club. Paul said: “I just wanted to thank everyone at the club for giving me this opportunity. I have enjoyed my time at the club, and I am very disappointed that it has ended like this. A big thank you to my management staff and players who have worked tirelessly over the last few months. The club have been very supportive to me and particularly over the last couple of weeks as I have grappled with this decision. I wish them all the best for the rest of the season.” Assistant Manager Ant Christophi has also made the decision to leave the club and we wish him well in his future football career and thank him for his hard work since his appointment. James Heeps and Enzo Silvestri will continue as the caretaker management team and the club will seek to appoint a new manager/management team over the next few weeks so that important recruitment and preparation for next season can begin.
MATCH REPORT 5/3/22 Leighton Town 0 – 2 Tring Athletic This weekend’s derby against Tring Athletic ended in defeat. Two first half goals from the visitors were enough to beat a flat home side, despite a 491 strong crowd. 13 minutes in Leighton’s joy came exclusively from the wings and a good ball from the right led to the first clear cut chance. James Towell had a well hit volley just clip the top of the bar after it sat up invitingly on the edge of the box. The early knockings saw a lot of Leighton pressure, so Tring’s goal came as a bit of surprise. Against the run of play, Athletic broke well and a fine ball in behind from Adiel Mannion was Town’s undoing. Ronan Hutchins latched on to the pass and from the left side of the box, slotted through Connor Coulston to give the visitors the lead on the 15-minute mark. The hosts looked to react and twice nearly had their answer before the half hour. On 24 minutes, a Leighton corner looked poorly dealt with after Luke Pyman stabbed goalward. Bill Morgan then mis-hit his effort wide. On 28 minutes Ashton Campbell came close to finding the equaliser but could only watch as his shot was blocked expertly on the line. These two chances would seem ever important after Tring doubled their lead in ecstatic style on 36 minutes. Goodlove Oppong watched a poor clearance from Town sublimely onto his right boot on the edge of the box and his powerful strike looped over Coulston, nestling in the left side netting. Stunned, Leighton trudged into the break two behind with seemingly an uphill struggle on the cards. The second period opened into a bland affair. Tring looked happy playing out their two goal advantage and quality of football seemed to decline with the pitch in the spitting rain. Leighton broke out of the mediocrity with a half chance as Bill Morgan shot over from a corner on 65’. The next event of note was the Tring keeper Jack Alley picking up a knock – this even being reported reflects the stagnant nature of the second period. Tring defended well and eventually took a deserved three points from Bell Close. Leighton will now look to rebuild, with a big semi-final on Tuesday 15th March under the lights at Bell Close against either Biggleswade FC or AFC Dunstable in the Beds Senior Cup. Max Bradfield
MATCH REPORT 12/3/22 London Colney 0 – 2 Leighton Town Saturday’s trip to Hertfordshire resulted in Leighton Town picking up the three points on the road - as goals from Ashton Campbell and Joe Fitzgerald were enough to beat London Colney. The travelling Reds were under the guidance of caretaker managers James Heeps and Enzo Silvestri following Paul Bonham’s resignation. Despite a transitional time for the club, they started excellently against their 17th place opposition. It only took two minutes to break the deadlock – through a tried and tested method. A long ball over the top found Ashton Campbell and he had the composure to finish calmly into the bottom corner. Leighton seemed confident from the outset, but the next real chance came on 18 minutes. A free kick from the right was hit low and the bouncing ball found Bill Morgan. He swung a leg and just sliced the ball left of the goal. It was close but it would be a good sign, as the visitors kept banging on the door. That door would be blown off the hinges as Town emphatically doubled their lead. Joe Fitzgerald was the man to do it on 28 minutes, hitting a rasping effort so hard it actually broke the London Colney net. It was some way to mark his first goal of the season. Before the half was out, Leighton looked likely to notch a third and even won a penalty. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be – Abuzar Khan was unable to convert from the spot. The second half started slower than the first and as the club twitter bluntly put it on 67’ – nothing had happened since getting under way. Ashton Campbell changed that with a big moment in the 72nd minute. Through on goal, the striker looked to bag his second of the afternoon but was stopped by a smart save from the home goalkeeper. The game wound down and Leighton had little more to do apart from clear a London Colney free kick in the 78th minute. It seemed a professional display as Town got the points and a valuable clean sheet. Leighton Town face Biggleswade FC in the semi-final of the Beds Senior Cup on Tuesday night at Bell Close KO 7:45. Max Bradfield
LEAGUE TABLE
MATCH REPORT 15/3/22 Leighton Town 3 – 0 Biggleswade FC Leighton Town are in the final of the Beds Senior Cup after a stirring victory against higher division Biggleswade FC. Two goals from Luke Pyman and one from Ethan Flanagan were enough to send the majority of the 370 strong crowd home happy. On such a grand occasion, Leighton could be deemed the underdog against the day’s Southern League opposition. That said, the hosts had the ball in the net just three minutes in. Following a corner, Biggleswade just couldn’t get rid of the ball and after a real scramble in the goal mouth, Luke Pyman smashed home from inside the six-yard box. Leighton continued to apply the pressure and Ashton Campbell continued to knock on the door, however FC’s goalkeeper was hardly challenged. On 25 minutes, James Towell tried to force the issue of the second goal, but his 20-yard volley would only fizz emphatically high of the mark. Before the half was out, Biggleswade came close. Through one-on-one they were unable to convert as Connor Coulson stood tall. Much like the first, Town started the second half in exuberant fashion. On 53 minutes, Luke Pyman was on the scoresheet again. A throw in from the right was poorly defended and a flick on found the big man who half-volleyed in a low effort in front of a delighted Shed End. That Shed End would be rapturous again just four minutes later as Ethan Flanagan latched on to a free kick from the right to make it three nil. Biggleswade looked slightly bewildered but to their credit carried on and even won a penalty in the 68th minute. Alex Marsh stepped up but it would be a penalty to forget for the no. 7. He went for the Panenka but Coulson was wise to it and managed to save with his feet. It just about summed up the visitor’s evening. Leighton held out amongst some scrappy exchanges and now look forward to the final against Bedford Town which takes place on the 26th of April at Luton Town’s Kenilworth Road. Max Bradfield
RECENT RESULTS
MATCH REPORT 19/3/22 Risborough Rangers 1-1 Leighton Town Leighton Town drew one a piece with second place Risborough Rangers on Saturday afternoon. New boy Abuzar Khan got his first goal for the club before Rangers levelled. The result sees the Reds stay in fourth. Opening proceedings at the B.E.P Stadium were enough to set pulses racing as Leighton looked to have conceded early on. Despite the early celebrations though, the goal was ruled out for offside five minutes in. The first half saw quite a few chances. Sean Coles charged down the right for the home side, only to fire well over on 11’. Risborough would be kept at bay just minutes later as Connor Coulston would make a great stop from close range on 15 minutes. For Leighton, the first half catalyst was Ashton Campbell. On 17’ some good movement resulted in the forward getting an effort off, but it flew high of the goal. Just before the half hour mark, he’d have yet another chance, but it’d flash wide of the post. Before the half was out, Abuzar Khan saw Jack Brooker off his line but his effort was speculative to say the least. The new boy seemed to be testing the waters, as the second half would only be nine minutes old before he would break the deadlock. From a free kick, Ethan Flanagan won the first header before the ball fell to Khan who simply headed into Risborough’s empty net. Although behind, Risborough soon proved why they’re in a battle for top spot. A cross from Evans Lamboh caught Town’s back line napping and Asher Yearwood was unmarked to head home, tying up the scores in the 66th minute. After scrappy late exchanges, the game ended level and now Leighton sit fourth in the SSMFL with Risborough second. Leighton Town now prepare for Oxhey Jets at Bell Close next Saturday. Max Bradfield
Leighton Town FC launch on-line Club Shop
The Executive Committee are delighted to announce that in partnership with our current kit providers ‘Kinnect International’, we have launched an on-line shop. Supporters will be able to purchase an array of LTFC merchandise directly from the suppliers. Although it is a limited offer at present due to overseas chain supply problems, it is our aim to build a larger range of products, in particular replica playing and warm-up shirts. All the items on display in the club shop are available on a 5 day delivery time frame and the last date for pre Christmas orders is the 15th December. The club will receive commission on all the items sold and this will be reinvested in the continuing improvements the club is making to the ground and facilities. Just visit the website and click on the link and get shopping! Important notice: any queries re the shop should be directed to Kinnect International. Contact details of their customer services are available at the bottom of the web page.
https://www.kinect-int.com/leightontownfc/
The U15s, U16s, U18s, Devs & 1st Team all training together on Tuesday night.
MATCH REPORT 26/2/22 Harpenden Town 1-1 Leighton Town Leighton Town were back in league action on Saturday following their exit from the Dudley Latham Cup. A goal from in-form Luke Pyman wasn’t enough to earn the Reds more than a draw at Rothamsted Park. The game started with great energy. In the first minute, Jervon Campbell was in behind, but his shot was wide of the target. Just two minutes later, Harpenden had the ball in the net however the referee ruled it out due to a foul in the build-up. In a very back and forth early period, Leighton would have a big chance. A free kick floated over from the right was met by Jervon Campbell but his header from close range went agonisingly over. On ’27 though, Harpenden broke out of a quiet spell with the opening goal. Josh Setchell was on hand to tap in following a good ball from Harvey Scott. Before the half was out, Harvey Scott would continue to be an offensive threat for the Harps. First, he was unlucky following some solid play from the hosts. Minutes later, he was denied by Connor Coulston as Harpenden continued pushing to the whistle. After the break, Leighton switched one Campbell for another on ’51 as Bonham looked to get a goal back. On 63 minutes, George Kerr came on for Sonny Newbury-Barr and perhaps it gave the visitors more energy as on 68’ they had a goal back. Ross Adams crossed well and goalkeeper Alex Desmond couldn’t deal with the coming ball. Luke Pyman was lurking and tapped in easily to deservedly level the score. Harpenden looked to bounce back with a string of chances. Goal-scorer Setchell came closest but couldn’t find the Leighton net and as the final moments of the game ebbed by, the home side had one last big chance through the ever-present Harvey Scott. Coulston was equal to the winger and saved bravely one-on-one in the 81st minute effectively securing the point in this scrappy fixture. After this draw, Leighton sit in third. The next fixture is at home against Tring Athletic. Max Bradfield
THE INANE RAMBLINGS FROM UP NORFF ‘NOWT SO QUEER AS YORKSHIRE FOLK’ BY KAREN BROWNE SATURDAY HEADLINES Saturday’s Highest Attendances: 211 Harpenden Town v Tring Athletic, 201 Risborough Rangers v Leighton Town and 181 Ampthill Town v Northampton Sileby Rangers. Season’s Highest Attendances to date (Premier Division Clubs): 868 Leighton Town v Luton Town (Beds Senior Cup), 491 Leighton Town v Tring Athletic and 473 Leighton Town v Broadfields United. Season’s Highest Attendances to date (Division One Clubs): 1904 Long Crendon v Wycombe Wanderers (Berks & Bucks Senior Cup), 533 Stotfold v Winslow United and 404 Stotfold v Ampthill Town. Season’s Highest Attendances to date (Division Two Clubs): 212 Bovingdon v Totternhoe, 175 Bovingdon v Berkhamsted Raiders and 155 Bovingdon v Sarratt (Division Two Cup). Saturday 19th March PREMIER DIVISION New Salamis remain top of the standings after the last round of results on Saturday after they secured a 3-1 home success over Dunstable Town a result that extends their lead to three points after second placed Risborough Rangers drew 1-1 at home against fourth placed Leighton Town however Rangers do have two games in hand. Hadley remain third following their 2-2 draw at Ardley United. At the other end of the table bottom club Crawley Green overturned a half time deficit to win 4-2 at London Colney a result that drops the hosts into the bottom three while second from bottom Holmer Green enjoyed a 4-1 win at Oxhey Jets to keep their hopes of avoiding the drop alive, it will be a lot of nail biting over the coming weeks. Elsewhere in form Flackwell Heath recorded a solitary goal win at Leverstock Green while Harpenden Town ended a three match winless league run with a goal in each half to defeat visiting Tring Athletic. The day’s other Premier Division fixtures saw Harefield United and Milton Keynes Irish share the spoils following a 2-2 draw while Baldock Town eased their relegation worries with a 3-1 win at Broadfields United. Full results and goalscorers are listed below. 2-2 Ardley United v Hadley (Ngathe [pen], Williams) / (S Edwards, Davis [pen]) Attendance: 98 1-3 Broadfields United v Baldock Town (Ward) / (Hay, Furness, Aldridge) Attendance: 67 2-2 Harefield United v Milton Keynes Irish (Schofield, Jordan) / (Lawless [2]) Attendance: 80 2-0 Harpenden Town v Tring Athletic (Scott, Robinson) Attendance: 211
The Views Expressed Are Solely My Own, Are Written Tongue In Cheek And Should Be Taken With A Pinch Of Salt 0-1 Leverstock Green v Flackwell Heath (Higgs) Attendance: 68 2-4 London Colney v Crawley Green (Odetola, Slama) / (Racine [2], Borval [2] [1 pen]) Attendance: 35 3-1 New Salamis v Dunstable Town (Krasniqi, Ogunseye, Asamoah) / (Stirling) Attendance: 87 1-4 Oxhey Jets v Holmer Green (Giordmaina) / (Nawaf [3], Odumosu) Attendance: 57 1-1 Risborough Rangers v Leighton Town (Yearwood) / (Khan) Attendance: 201 DIVISION ONE Stotfold continue their march towards the title with another fine performance on the road, the Bedfordshire club winning 4-1 at relegation threatened Burton Park Wanderers while second place Winslow United kept up the pressure with a 2-1 success at play-off chasing Bedford. Third placed Ampthill Town dropped two points after surrendering a 3-0 interval lead at home against Northampton Sileby Rangers and more on this one later in the ramblings. At the bottom Irchester United were beaten by a solitary goal at home by Rushden & Higham United and now could be relegated this coming weekend if they fail to win while both Amersham Town and London Tigers did their chances of avoiding the drop a big favour with wins, Amersham defeating visiting Raunds Town by the odd goal in five while Tigers won 31 at Penn & Tylers Green to move out of the bottom three at the expense of Kidlington Reserves who were beaten 2-3 at home by play-off hopefuls Wellingborough Whitworth. Elsewhere it was mixed fortunes for two of the other clubs pushing hard for the play-offs, Long Crendon suffered a 2-5 home defeat by mid-table Letchworth Garden City Eagles while Shefford Town & Campton won by a solitary goal at Thame United Reserves. The day’s other fixture saw Buckingham Athletic defeat visiting Langford 2-0. Full results and goalscorers (where known) are listed below. 3-2 Amersham Town v Raunds Town (O’Connor [2], Clifford) / (Clark, Goodman) Attendance: 47 3-3 Ampthill Town v Northampton Sileby Rangers (Swaby, Cooksley, Burton) / (Burrows, Taylor, Freitas) Attendance: 181 1-2 Bedford v Winslow United (Joseph) / (Brown, Williamson) Attendance: 50 2-0 Buckingham Athletic v Langford (Holmes, Ikuyinminu) Attendance: 42 1-4 Burton Park Wanderers v Stotfold (Gilbert) / (Clarke, Bagge, Kersey, Sears) Attendance: 54 0-1 Irchester United v Rushden & Higham United (Hunt) Attendance: 50 2-3 Kidlington Reserves v Wellingborough Whitworth (McCormack, McCarthy) / (Bailey [2], Brittain) Attendance: 28 2-5 Long Crendon v Letchworth Garden City Eagles (Brownsword, Warwick) / (Zekri [2], Bates [2], Charles) Attendance: 32 1-3 Penn & Tylers Green v London Tigers (Hurst) / (Unknown, Unknown, Unknown) Attendance: 37
The Views Expressed Are Solely My Own, Are Written Tongue In Cheek And Should Be Taken With A Pinch Of Salt 0-1 Thame United Reserves v Shefford Town & Campton (Dillon) Attendance: 55 DIVISION TWO The Division Two title race continues to be a tight affair with no less than six teams in the running, with leaders Old Bradwell United involved in cup action the attention turned to the chasing pack. Second placed Bovingdon hosted bottom club Tring Corinthians AFC and one was expecting a comfortable home win however the visitors had not read the script, Bovingdon were pushed all the way and indeed secure a win in front of another large crowd thanks to just a solitary first half goal to move level on points with the leaders. Third placed Pitstone & Ivinghoe remain two points off the pace after a 3-0 home success over Risborough Rangers Development while fourth placed Milton Keynes College Football Academy are just three points behind the top two after recording their best ever SSML result, a 7-1 home success against second from bottom Buckingham United. Aston Clinton, who have several games in hand on those above them, made it seven wins from their last seven league games with a 3-0 win against visiting Codicote and now sit fifteen points behind the leaders. The day’s other league action saw New Bradwell St Peter win in the league for the first time since October with a 2-0 success at The 61FC (Luton). Full results and goalscorers are listed below. 3-0 Aston Clinton v Codicote (Mitchell [2], MacDonald) Attendance: 30 1-0 Bovingdon v Tring Corinthians AFC (Beckwith) Attendance: 140 7-1 Milton Keynes College Football Academy v Buckingham United (Boyce [2], Davis, Blanco-Martinez, Lodder, Summers, Asante) / (Kpolley) Attendance: 20 3-0 Pitstone & Ivinghoe v Risborough Rangers Development (Hall [2], Okolie) Attendance: 41 0-2 The 61FC (Luton) v New Bradwell St Peter (Goodluck, Stokes) Attendance: 8 DIVISION TWO CUP Quarter Finals The first two Division Two Cup Quarter Finals took place on Saturday and the two ties served up eleven goals, table toppers and current holders Old Bradwell United saw off a spirited fight back from hosts Eynesbury United to edge through 3-2 after being 3-0 at one stage and their reward is a trip to either Pitstone & Ivinghoe or Milton Keynes College Football Academy next month. The other tie saw Totternhoe defeating visiting Berkhamsted Raiders 4-2 after being locked at 2-2 at the interval, the Bedfordshire side will now travel to Bovingdon or Tring Corinthians AFC next month. Full results and goalscorers are listed below. 2-3 Eynesbury United v Old Bradwell United (Carberry, Fox) / (Maxey, Green, Valentine) Attendance: 79 4-2 Totternhoe v Berkhamsted Raiders (Capehorn [2], Gutzmore, Kent) / (Seodi [2]) Attendance: 45
U18 Fixtures
FULL RESULTS TABLE
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Arnstrong Agbakwuru Massoxi Barradas Daryl Bryan-Saunders Leon Coker Onome Emovon Sean Giordmaina Tom Inch Alex Lawlor Vassili Mandeville Kyle Matthew Kenny Nobrega Nathan Page Bradley Shaw Jack Standing Kristian Swarby Jake Tabor Daniel Taylor Lewis Todd
Joe Fitzgerald Ton Bryant Brian Foulger Bill Morgan Ethan Flanagan Josh Hatton Luke Pyman Abuzar Khan George Kerr Ashton Campbell Ben Collins Sonny Newbury-Barr Freddie Heeps Louie Howarth Miles Kenny
Manager: James Heeps Assistant: Enzo Silvestri Physio: John Rutherford & Lorraine Smith
Manager : Kevin Christou Assistant : Matthew Coker Coach : Taylor Mitchell Physio : John Elliott
Match Officials Referee : Jake Bloom Assistants: Joanne Horwood : Oliver Simnock