SSMFLPREMIERDIVISION 2022/23SEASON LEIGHTONTOWN v LEVERSTOCKGREEN Admission:Adults£8-Concessions£5-Under11’sFree SATURDAY29thOCTOBER2022 KO3pm BELLCLOSELAKEST LEIGHTONBUZZARD LU7!RX
MANYTHANKSTOENERGIEFITNESSLEIGHTONBUZZARD FORSPONSORINGTODAYSMATCH YOURSUPPORTISVERYMUCHAPPRECIATED AGYMWHEREYOUBELONG ThemomentyouwalkintoanEnergieFitnessLeightonBuzzard,thingsfeel different.Fromthewarmpersonalwelcomeyou’llgetfromourcolleagues totheawesomeequipmentyounormallyonlygetatpriceygyms,weoffer auniqueblendofbudgetandboutique–soyoureallyfeellikeyoubelong. HerearejustafewofthereasonswhyyoushouldjoinénergieFitness LeightonBuzzardtoday: Open7daysaweek Locallyownedgym Friendly&experiencedteam State-of-the-artkit Loadsoffreeclasses Highlyqualifiedpersonaltrainers Whetheryou'regettingbackinshapeortryingsomethingnew,we'rehere tohelpyousucceedinafun,friendlyandrelaxedenvironment OPENINGHOURS MON-FRI:5.30AMuntil10PM SAT-SUN:7AMuntil7PM BANKHOLIDAYS:7AMuntil7PM ADDRESS Unit2, LeightonRoad, LeightonBuzzard, Bedfordshire, LU71LA 01525853000
WelcometoBellClose.
GoodAfternoontoyouallandwelcometothisafternoon'sgameagainstour
WewelcometheOfficials,Players,ManagementandSupportersofLeverstock GreentoBellCloseandhopeitwillbeanenjoyablegameforbothsetsof
Wealsowelcomeour3matchofficials,Referee,JakeBloomandhis2 assistants,LawrenceMallettandLukeGriggswehopetheyenjoytheir afternoonwithus.
Leverstockhadagoodseasonin2021/22andhavestartedthisseasonwell with4wins,4drawsand1lossfromtheirfirst9gamesandarecurrently9thin thetable,theyarejust3pointsbehindus.
DunstablearenowtheonlyundefeatedteamintheSSMFLPremierDivisionat
therearestilllotsofgamestoplayandwhoknowswhatmighthappen.Wehave somebusyweekscomingupwithLeagueandCupgamestoplay.Next
HarpendenatBellClosebeforetravellingtoSaffronWaldenintheFAVaseon
friendsfromLeverstockGreen.
supporters.
thispointintimeanditlookslikeitcouldbeaverytightLeaguethisseason,but
SaturdayweplayColneyHeathathomeandthenonTuesday8thwewillplay
Saturday12November. ManythankstothoseLeightonfanswhomadethetriptoSheffordlastweekto supporttheboys,afteranentertainingmatchthepenaltyshootoutsawXavier Comasmake3terrificsavestoseeussafelythroughtothe2ndRoundProper. Wehopeyouenjoytoday'smatchandmaybeafewbeerstocelebrateinthe Clubhouseafterthegame. ThefuneralofformerTownPlayerandManager,HarryKirtonwhopassed awayearlierthismonthwillbeheldatBriertononFriday11thNovember at2pm. TownwillrespectaminutessilencebeforeaSaturdayfirstteamhome gamewhenHarry'sfamilywillbeinattendance.
ÉNERGIEFITNESSLEIGHTON areonceagainproudtobepartnering with LeightonTownFootball Club,astheirchosenHomeTeam,forall thingshealthandfitness.
Franchisee/Director –DarrenRossiter& ClubManager –LeeToon arebothhugefootballfansthemselves,butclearlyrecognisethevalue andimportancethesepartnershipsplayinthegrowththedevelopmentof theClub,anditsroleintheTown.
Darren “followingasuccessfulfirstyear,partneringwith LTFC,whichculminated inuscheeringtheboysonatKenilworthRoadonthatfamousnightin April,wearemoreexcitedthanevertosupportLeeandhiscoaching stafffromaConditioning,andWellbeingperspective.
Theboyshavebeenveryreceptivetodifferenttrainingmethods,from BANDFITtoPILATES,andtheeverpopularSPINsessions,buttheir professionalism,standardsandteamtogethernesshavestoodoutmore thanever.”
Lee
“theguyshavebeenfirstclass,andalsoveryrespectfuluponeachand everyvisittotheClub.OurmembersarenowveryfamiliarwiththeTeam, anddareIsayit,treatthemlikeminiCelebs .
EnergieFitnessaredeterminedtosupporttheteam,andits Town,asmuchastheycan–andasalittletokenofthanks, theyhaveincludedacomplimentary3DAYPASS,whichcan beredeemedbyeithercallingthem,ordroppingintosee them.
CLUBOFFICIALS&COMMITTEE PRESIDENT:MIKEHIDE CHAIRMAN:JOHNMCLOUGHLIN VICECHAIRMAN/DIRECTOROFFOOTBALL SEANDOWNEY VICECHAIRMAN:IANSTEPHENS CLUB&FIXTURESSECRETARY:ROYPARKER GENERALCOMMITTEE JOHNTURNER DAVIDFRIEND SHAUNCAVANAGH LEIGHTONTOWNFOOTBALLCLUB BELLCLOSELAKEST LEIGHTONBUZZARDLU71RX TELE;01525373311
LeverstockGreenFootballClubwasformedaround1895.Thefirstmatch reportsappearedonJanuary4th1896intheAdvertiserandgaveanaccount ofamatchagainstHemelHempsteadRovers.
Thefirstcompetitive
theClubcompetedinDivisionThreeoftheWestHertsLeague.Otherclubs competingintheleagueatthattimewere:AbbotsLangley,Bovingdon, Boxmoor,BusheyHeath,HagdenLane,KingsLangleyandPottenEnd.
TheClubgroundinPancakeLaneoriginallyformedpartoftheGorhambury Estate,LordVerulammakingthegroundavailablefortheyouthofthearea andhisestateworkerstoenjoyagameofball.ClearlyLordVerulamwasan earlyenthusiast,providingtimber-builtchangingrooms,whichhavebeen progressivelyreplacedsincethe1960’sbytheexistingbrickbuiltclubhouse andchangingrooms.
OnthedeathoftheLord,certainparcelsofland,includingthatonwhichthe FootballClubstood,felltotheCrowninlieuofdeathdutiesandis administeredonitsbehalfbytheCommissionforNewTowns,whohave remainedtheClub’slandlordssincethattime,despitetwounsuccessful
LEVERSTOCKGREEN CLUBHISTORY
fixtureswerereportedduringseason1908/1909when
attemptsbytheClubtobuythefreehold. TheclubremainedmembersoftheWestHertsLeagueuntil1954whenit broadeneditshorizonsandsuccessfullyappliedtojointheHertsCounty League. Bythemid1970’stheClubstartedtomoveforwardwithanewclubhouse, post&railandtheinstallationoftraininglights. Theplayingsideoftheclubalsoimprovedandin1979theclubwonDivision OneoftheHertsCountyLeagueandwerepromotedtothePremierDivision thehigheststandardtheClubhadachievedin80years. In1991theClubwereacceptedintotheSouthMidlandsLeagueandhadtwo highlysuccessfulseasonsinthePremierDivisionbeforebeingforcedtodrop intotheSeniorDivision,asfloodlightswerethennotavailable.In1996the clubfinishedinrunners-uppositionandthefollowingseasonwerethe divisionalchampionsbutcouldnotbepromotedbecausefloodlightshadstill notreceivedapprovalfromtheCouncil. PremierDivisionstatuswaseventuallyregainedin2003,andtheclubisnow thelongest-standingcurrentmemberofthedivision.
Theclub’shighestfinishinthePremierDivisionhasbeen4th,inseason 2010/11,withtopsixfinishesalsobeingrecordedin2005/06,2006/07and 2008/09.
Season2010/11alsosawtheclub’sbesteverrunintheFAVase,withwins overWelwynGardenCity,Enfield,HullbridgeSports,TunbridgeWellsand BemertonHeathHarlequinsbeforedefeatintheFifthRoundagainstRye United.TheclubhastwicereachedtheThirdRoundoftheFAVase,in seasons2006/07and2018/19.
LeverstockGreenenteredtheFACupforthefirsttimein2004,andthe club’sbestperformancehasbeenreachingtheSecondRoundQualifying, whichwasachievedin2014/15,wherewewerebeatenbyStainesTown, andin2018/19wherewewerebeatenbyDorkingWanderers.
Countyhonourswerewonin2006/07and2010/11astheHertsCharity Shieldwaslifted,andtheclubwerebeatenfinalistsintheHertsCharityCup in2011/12.Afterfinishingrunners-upfourtimesovertheprevious12years, TheWestHertsFAStMary’sCupwasfinallyliftedforthefirsttimein 2017/18withvictoryoverBerkhamstedinthefinalatVauxhallRoad.
Between2005and2015theclubranasuccessfulLadies’Team,whichrose fromtheBedsandHertsLeagueintotheEasternRegionWomensLeague, reachingthePremierDivisionin2013.
Theunder-18sidecompetesintheSouthernCountiesFloodlitYouth League.Theteamfinishedrunners-upintheirdivisioninseasons2010/11 and2014/15,andin2015/16theyreachedthefinalofboththeBrian HitchingsCupandtheColwynCup,losinginbothfinalstoLutonTown Cedars.Manyplayershavemadethestepupfromunder-18leveltofirst
HempsteadTown)whoalsorepresentedtheEnglandnon-leaguesideinthe
teamlevel,andthosewhohavegoneontoplaymuchhigherupthenonleaguepyramidincludeCharlieGorman(EastbourneBorough),Luke Warner-Eley(RoystonTown,StAlbansCity)andJonathanLacey(Hemel
FalklandswhileaLeverstockGreenplayer. ThePancakeLanegroundhasseenmanyimprovementsduetoevermore stringentgroundgradingrequirements.In2007thePeterMetcalfechanging roomswerebuiltatacostof£90,000.2008sawtherefurbishmentofthe clubhousetoincludenewtoiletsandanewhospitalitysuite.In2009the concretewalkwaywascompletedtocoverthreesidesofthegroundanda seatedstandaccommodating113spectatorswasinstalled.
Season2018/19wasoneofturmoilandsadness,aslong-servingfixture secretaryGrahamSmartpassedawaysuddenlyonlyweeksaftertakingon theroleofinterimchairman.Aseasonwhichpromisedsomuchatthestart endedwiththeclubonlysecuringPremierDivisionsafetyonthefinalday.
EmmaSmarttookoveraschairmanforseason2019/20,andwithanew managementteamandanewspiritofoptimismtheclubwasoncoursefora safemid-tablefinishbeforetheseasonwasbroughttoaprematureendby Covid-19.ThemanagementteamofMattHardingandMickVipondcontinued intothe2020/21season,whichagaincametoaprematureend.Forseason 2021/22,anewmanagementteamofFergusMoore,ScottMcGleishandPaul Markshasbeenappointed.Theclubhasincreaseditscommitmenttoyouth developmentbyjoiningtheEasternJuniorAllianceandwillberunningan under-15sidethisseason.
ThreeclubstalwartshavereceivedawardsfromtheFootballAssociationand theHertsFAfor50yearsservicetofootball.ThefirstwasJimMatthews, affectionatelyknownas“Macca”,whopassedawayattheageof90in2006. ThesecondwasBillDawesin2014,andthethirdwaslong-servingclub secretaryBrianBarterin2019.Brianstooddownfromhisroleassecretaryin 2020,havingtwicebeenhonouredwithawardsfromtheSpartanSouth MidlandsLeague.
LeightonTownvLeverstockGreen5/4/22
LEAGUEHISTORY
TheLeagueisrelativelyyoungcomparedtoother’sbeingformedin 1922astheBedfordshireCountyLeague.Withnewclubskeentojoin fromoutsidetheCountyitwasdecidedin1929tochangethenameto theSouthMidlandsLeague.
TheLeaguecontinuedtoconsolidateandstrengthenovertheensuing 70yearsorsoprovidingqualityfootballformanyteamsoveralarge areaoftheSouthMidlands.
In1997itbecameapparentthattheLondonSpartanLeague,which wasverymuchtotheSouthoftheLeague’sgeographicalfootprint,was strugglingadministratielyand,withthefullsupportoftheFootball Association,thedecisionwastakentomergethetwocompetitionswith thenewLeaguebeingknownastheSpartanSouthMidlandsLeague.
TheLeaguenowcoversawideareafromNorthLondonintheSouthto MiltonKeynesintheNorthandfromWareintheEasttoAylesburyin theWest.
TheLeagueispartoftheFA’sNationalLeagueSystem(NLS)and comprisesofthreeDivisions;PremieratStep5oftheNLS,Division OneatStep6andDivisionTwoatStep7.
TheLeaguehasaproudrecordofpromotingclubstoStep4oftheNLS andhasalsoprovided4FAVaseFinalistsincludingtwowinnersin ArleseyTownandHoddesdonTownFC.
SPARTANSOUTH MIDLANDSLEAGUE PREMIERDIVISION
BiggleswadeUnited
Colneyheath
ArdleyUnited TheNolanOilsGroundArdley PlayingFieldOX277PA 07467549294 ArleseyTown NewlambMeadowHitchinRd SG156RS 07910110720 AylesburyVale Dynamos TheGreenfleetsStadium HaywoodWayHP199WZ 07715772500 BaldockTown NewLambMeadowHitchinRd SG156RS 07507445099
SecondMeadowFairfieldRd BiggleswadeSG180AA 07714661827 Cockfosters ChalkLaneBarnetEN49JG 07956143291
TheRecreationGroundColney HeathAL40NP 07769644003 CrawleyGreen TheStadiumattheBrachePark StLutonLU13HH 07762752213 DunstableTown CreaseyParkDriveDunstable LU61BB 07828604170 HarpendenTown RothamsteadParkAmenbury LaneAL52EF 07796955197 HoddesdonTown ParkViewHoddesdonEN118PX 01767631297 LeightonTown BellCloseLakeStLeighton BuzzardLU71RX 07757720833 LeverstockGreen PancakeLaneLeverstockGreen HP24NQ 07747756591 LondonColney CotlandswickPlayingField LondonColneyAL21DW 07958794109 PottonUnited TheHutchinsonHollow BiggleswadeRdSG192LX 07703442565 RisboroughRangers BEPStadiumHorsendenLane HP279NE 07855958236 SheffordTown& Campton SheffordSportsClubHitchinRd SG175JD 07885557274 Stotfold JSJStadiumNewRokerPark ArleseyRdSG54HE 07752430493 StPanteleimon HertingfordburyPark,WestSt SG138EZ TringAthletic TheGrassRootsStadiumCow LaneTringHP235NT 07825747775 SPARTANSOUTHMIDLANDS LEAGUE PREMIERDIVISION DIRECTORY CLUB ADDRESS PHONE
3ofourU15’swhoarecurrentlyattendingatrainingcampattheRealMadrid ComplexafterbeingselectedfortheJPLRepSquad Whatanamazingopportunityforthe3talentedladswhohaveverybright futuresaheadofthem
TheHistoryofLeightonTownFootballClub
LeightonTown,whowereknownasLeightonUnitedbetween1922and1963, wereformedin1885.Theyweremainlyinvolvedinlocalleaguesuntilthe outbreakoftheGreatWarandwerewinnersoftheLeightonandDistrictLeague onseveraloccasions.
LeightonwereoneoftheoriginalmembersoftheSouthMidlandLeaguein1922 –whichatthetimewasknownastheBedfordshireCounty.Theywerealso membersoftheSpartanLeaguebetween1922/23and1951/52,buttheironly successesbeingtheSpartanLeagueDivision2titlein1923/24and1927/28. TheywereBedfordshireSeniorCupwinnersin1926/27.League
In1952,theybecameafoundermemberoftheHellenicLeague,butaftertwo disappointingseasons,movedtotheSouthMidlandsLeague.In1965/66 seasonhowever,thePremierChampionshipsatintheLeightonTown Boardroom.TheclubthenrejoinedtheSpartanLeaguein1967/68.
LeightonproceededtoconsolidatetheirLeaguesuccessbywinningthe BedfordshireSeniorCupforthreesuccessiveseasonsin1968,1969and1970. Unfortunately,someofthesuccessfulplayersmovedontootherclubs,and Leighton’sfortunesagaindeclined.AmovetotheUnitedCountiesLeague proveddisastrousandafterjusttwoseasons,theclubrejoinedtheSouth MidlandsLeague.
Duringthe‘70’sand‘80’s,Leightonwereunabletocapturethesuccessofthe
In1990/1991theFirstTeamwontheSouthMidlandsLeagueChallengeTrophy
‘60’s.
andtheO’Brien’sPremierDivisionCup,bothforthefirsttimeintheclub’s history. The1991/2seasonwasoneoftheclub’sbest.TheSouthMidlandsPremier Divisiontitle,whichhadeludedtheclubforsolong,waswon,andwithitaplace intheIsthmianLeague. 1992/3sawtheClub’ssuccesscontinuewhentheywontheBedfordshireSenior Cupforthefirsttimesince1970.TheClubmissedoutonpromotionintheirfirst IsthmianLeagueseasonbyjustasinglepointbuttheYouthTeamretainedthe CountyCup. 1995/6sawtheFirstTeamwinpromotiontoDivision2oftheIsthmianLeague, whilstatthesametimeretainingtheBuckinghamCharityCup. Inthe1996/7season,LeightonwontheIsthmianLeagueAssociatedMembers Trophyforthefirsttime.1998/99sawthereturnoftheAssociatedMembers TrophyandtheBuckinghamCharityCup.
Season2003/04LeightonwontheRymanIsthmianSecondDivisiontitle.They werealsonamedRymanDivisionTwoTeamoftheYear,andPaulBurgesswas awardedManageroftheYear.TheyalsoreachedtheFifthroundoftheFAVase, andthefinaloftheBedsSeniorCup,beforelosingtoAndoverandArleseyTown respectively.
The2004-05seasonsawtheclubplacedinTheSouthernLeagueEastDivision andfinishedinacreditabletenthplace.TheyalsowontheBuckinghamshire CharityCup.TheReserveswontheBedfordshireIntermediateCupandthe U18’swontheSCYFLLeagueShield.
The05-06SeasonsawtheClubprogressagain,improvingontheyearbefore, astheyfinished8th inTheSouthernLeagueWesternDivision.Afterapoorstart, Leagueresultsimprovedandthesideonlysufferedfourdefeatsfromthestartof NovemberuntiltheendofMarch,aplay-offplacejusteludingthem.
AfterthreeexcellentvictoriesinterestintheFA.Trophycompetitionendedwitha singlegoaldefeattoeventualsemi-finalists,Borehamwood.
TheClubalsoreachedtheBedsSeniorCupFinal,butsadlytheyagainfinished asRunnersUp.
TheClubwererelocatedtotheSouthernLeagueMidlandDivisionfor06-07 seasonbutonlyoneLeaguewininthefirstsixgamesandearlyexitsinthetwo FACompetitionscostPaulBurgesshisjobinSeptember.Hewasreplacedby formerWycombeprofessionalKeithScott,resultsdidimprovebutitwasa disappointingseason,althoughTowndidwintheBucksSeniorCharityCup.
The07-08startedbrightlywiththefirstLeaguedefeatnotcominguntilmidOctober.ThreewinsintheFACupsawtheClubreachthe4th QualifyingRound forthefirsttimeinit’shistory.A3-0defeattoConferenceSouth,Havantand
Waterloovillefinallyendedtherun.KeithScottthenleftinDecembertojoin WindsorandEton.InJanuary2008,AssistantManagerSeanDowneywas appointedasFirstTeamManageranddidasplendidjobastheClubendedtheir Leagueseasonin9th place,winningtheBucksCharityCupandreachingthe finaloftheBedsSeniorCuponcemore. The08/09SeasontheFirstTeamfinished8th intheSouthernLeague,Midland Division,achievingtheirhighestpointstotaltodateatthatlevel. The09/10seasonsawLeightononceagainfinishinthetophalfofthetable, whentheyfinishedin9th placeandtheyalsolosttheBedfordshireSeniorCup FinaltoSouthernLeaguerivals,ArleseyTownafterpenalties. Season2010/2011,sawTownfinishin7th placeintheLeague,gaining69 points,theirbestperformancesincejoiningtheSouthernFootballLeague.
The2011/2012apoorseasonsawLeightonfinishintheirlowestpositionfor severalyears.
2012/13wasalsoverydisappointingfortheFirstTeamastheyfinishedin20th place.
2015/2016After3disappointingseasonsLeightonfinishedtheseasoninthe bottomtwooftheSouthernLeagueCentralDivisionandwererelegatedtothe SpartanSouthMidlandsLeaguewheretheyhadlastplayedinthe1991/92 season.
2016/2017Thiswasadisappointingseasonwiththeclubstrugglingformuch ofthetimeafteryetanotherManagerialChange.Thingsdidpickuptowardsthe endoftheseasonandweeventuallyfinishedin16th place.
2017/18TheclubretainedScottReynoldsasManagerandfinished4th inthe LeagueandreachedtheQuarterFinalsoftheFAVASE.Gatesimprovedand itwasourbestseasonforabout8years,
2018/2019Manager,ScottReynoldsresignedinthecloseseasonandDanny NichollswasappointedasManagerbutleftinOctoberduetowork commitments.TheClubthenappointedJoeSweeneyandPaulCopson,who hadpreviouslywonthePremierdivisiontitlewithLondonColneyasthenew ManagementTeam.Theysteadiedtheshipandwefinishedinmidtable.
2019/2020WasagoodseasonfortheClubasweagainreachedtheQuarter FinaloftheFAVaseandafteraslowstartintheLeaguetheteamstartedtofind somegoodformasweslowlyclimbedupthetable.Theteamwerealso awardedtheTeamoftheMonthtwice.
2020/2021Townforthethirdtimein4seasonsreachedtheQuarterFinalofthe FAVasebutsadlylostoutto2latepenalties.AnindifferentstartintheLeague meantwecouldnotquitegainthepointsneededtogainpromotioninaCovid affectedseason.
2021/2022Weeventuallyfinished4th inthetableafteramidseason
Managementchangeandafterthedisappointmentoflosingourprevious4 BedsSeniorCupFinalswewontheTrophybybeatingSouthernLeagueDiv1 Champions,BedfordTownonpenaltiesafterthegamehadendedina2-2draw.
@LTFCHallHire @ltfc_thevenue @LTFCHallHIRE
LeightonTown2-1ArleseyTown–DudleyLathamCup
ByMaxBradfield
InwhatwasthesecondgameoftheDudleyLathamCup,LeightonTown triumphed2-1againstArlesey.Thissomewhatquietgameunderthelightsat BellClosewastheperfectopportunityforsquadrotation,debutantsandthe returninginjured.GoalscamefromJackHarveyandLewisToomey,beforethe visitorspulledonebackwithapenalty.
Thehostsopenedthescoringwithjustfourminutesontheclock.Reece Robinssetpulsesracingwithhiscrossfromtheleft,yetLewisToomeykepta coolheadtonodbackacrossforJackHarveytobundlein.
FromthedebutingMaxFarrellyatthebacktothereturningToomeyuptop, Town’scomposureontheballwassolid.However,despiteKwaiMarsh-Brown andReeceRobins’efforts,thehomesidecouldn’tcapitalisefromtheirwing play.Beforethehalfwasover,LewisToomeydidnearlydoubletheleadbut hischipdidn’thaveenoughonittotrulytroubleOllieSkinnerintheblues’net.
Astheyhadinthefirst,Townbeganthesecondhalfwithagoal.Yetanother wellworkedopportunity,thiscornerfromtheleftwasheadedbackacrossby
MATCHDAYREPORT18/10/22
LukePyman.Withthekeeperstranded,LewisToomeyheadedinon52 minutes. 15minutesbeforetime,themeninredandwhitewerecaughtnappingatthe backandgaveawayapenalty.ArleseynewmanSudayisiSendenge convertedfromthespotpowerfullytogivethevisitorssomethingtofightfor. Thatsaid,Leightonmanagedthefinalminuteswellandsawthisoneoutto progress.OnSaturday,theoppositionareSheffordandCamptonawayinthe FAVase. LTFCXI:Comas;Towell,Dumbuya,Connolly(C),Farrelly,Pyman,Harvey, Spaul,Toomey,Robins,Marsh-Brown. Subs:Fitzgerald,Goodman,Cooper,Holland,Turner.
MANOFTHEMATCH18/10/22 JACKHARVEY VArleseyTown
Afterlastnight’s2-1victoryoverArleseyTownintheDudleyLathamCup secondround,assistantmanagerTonyJoycewaspositiveafteryet anotherconsummatehomedisplay.Inhisaddresstothemediateam,he spokeaboutLeighton’sperformance,rotatingthesquadandofferedinsight beforethisweekend’sFAVasegame.
“Homeperformanceshavebeenexcellent.Todaywemadeafewchanges, gotpeopleminutesandtherewereacoupleofpeoplecomingbackfrom injury.Ithoughtwestartedthegamereallywell.Thefirst20-25minutes, welookedgood.Wescoredthegoal,possiblyscoredanotherandthenlike anygametheycamebackintoit.Ithoughtthey(Arlesey)didquitewell andputusunderpressure.”
Inthiswinthatsecuredquarterfinalaction,Townkeptthesquadfreshwith plentyofsubstitutes.Consideringrecentinjuries,thisseemedappropriate. “Fivepeoplecameoffthebench,lotsofminuteswereplayed.Itwasnice togetCoops(MattyCooper)backon.GaryConnellygotmoreminutes. Toomeycamebackfrominjury.So,itwasagoodexerciseforus.Overall, we’lltaketheperformance–notbad.”
MaxFarrelly,whorecentlyarrivedfromBerkhamsted,washandedhisfirst start.Joycedescribedtheimpacttheseasoneddefenderhasalreadyhad andjustwhathecanofferhisnewside.
“Maxisagreatcharacter.Straightawayinthedressingroom,he’snoisy–butforapurpose.Helookedgoodatthebackthere.10-20minutestogo, hislegswereabittiredbutIthinkhisexperienceandhisknowhowwillbe massiveinthedressingroomandonthepitch.Ithoughthehadareal gooddebut.”
JoyceconcludedbylookingaheadtotheFAVasegamethisweekend againstSheffordandCampton,afellowBedfordshireteamwhohave enjoyedadecentrunofformoflate.
“TheFAVaseissomethingwewanttodowellin.SheffordandCampton havestartedbrilliantlythisseason,soitwon’tbeaneasygameinany shapeorform.WeshouldhaveLeonLobjoitback,weshouldhaveKyle Connollyback.WeshouldhaveOran(Jackson)back,sotherearelotsof playersincontention.Itsdefinitelyagamewewon’tbetakinglightly.We wantarealgoodperformanceandtostayinthehatforthedraw.”
TonyJoycepraises‘goodexercise’aheadofFAVasetestagainst SheffordandCamptononSaturday
CLUB SPONSORS
LeightonTownPartner/SponsorshipPackages 2022/23Season Wanttobeapartnerwithanambitious,progressive,localfootballclub; onethatalsotakesitssocialandcommunityresponsibilitiesseriously? ThenlooknofurtherthanLeightonTownFC. InrecentyearsLeightonTownFChasbuiltstrongrelationshipswithalarge numberofbusinessesandcommunityorganisationsinthetown.Weare seekingtobuildfurtherlinksandweofferawiderangeofopportunitiesfor interestedpartiestobecomepartnersinmovingtheclubforward. IfyouwanttojointheLeightonTownfamily,thenthereareavarietyof waysthatyoucandoso. Partnership/Sponsorshippackages LocalcompaniesandbusinessescanpurchaseoneofourGold,Silver,or BronzeSponsorshipPackages,allofwhich,representexcellentvaluefor money. Clickhere formoredetails,includinghowtocontacttheclubif interested. MatchBallSponsorsforFirstTeamhomegames Beamatchballsponsorforonly £35 andhaveyourname/companydisplayed onthefrontoftheon-linematchdayprogramme.Email sdowney0207@outlook.com tosecure.First20receivedwillbeallocateda gameinthecomingseason. Thereissomethingforeveryoneandeverybudget.Allproceedswill servetosupporttheclubbothonandoffthepitchtocontinuebuildinga communityfootballclubwecanallbeproudof.
PLAYER/STAFFSPONSORSHIP
PLAYER/STAFFSPONSORSHIP
SheffordandCampton1-1LeightonTown(1-3PENS) ByMaxBradfield XaviComastheheroasLeightonprogresstothenextroundoftheFA Vase
Afteraneven90minutesintheFAVaseFirstRoundProperonSaturday, LeightonTowneventuallyprevailedonpenaltiesagainstSheffordand Campton.FulltimehadinitiallyseenagoalfromLeonLobjoitcancelledout byAshleyInghambeforeXaviComasstarredintheshootoutforthevisitors. LeightonopenedthescoringatSheffordSportsClubinexcellentfashion.As hehaddonebeforenearlytwoweeksprioragainstCrawleyGreen,Leon Lobjoitexecutedasuperbchip.On18’,hecaughtthegoalkeeperoutfrom 30yards.
Despitethisgreatopener,Sheffordgotrightbackinthegame.Aballacross theboxfromSamKingwasmissedbybothOranJacksonandXaviComas. IttrickledthroughtoAshleyInghamwhoconvertedatthebackposton26 minutes.
AfterhalftimeandanumberofLeightonchanges,acontinuedevenbattle brokeoutintoalateflurryofaction.Firston78’,BenSpaulstruckaflying volleythatthehostsblockedwell.Justtwominuteslater,theballwasinthe netbutthecelebrationswerecutshortwithLobjoit’sheaderruledoutfor offside.
Attheconclusionofsixminutesaddedtime,penaltieswerenext.Shefford kickedofftheshootout,butXaviComaswasequaltoit,pullingoutafine stop.KyleConnollyscoredbeforeComasdeniedyetanotherone.Itwasa brilliantperformancefromthekeeper.AbumpintheroadwasMattCooper’s failedkickandShefford’sconversion,yetKieranTurnertuckedhisawayto setupatensefinale.Comaswasthemanofthemomentandsavedhisthird penaltyoftheshootoutbrilliantlybeforenewmanMaxFarrellysealedthe wintoputLeightonbackintothedraw.
LTFCXI:Comas;Jackson,Connolly,Connolly(C),Farrelly,Pyman,Harvey, Spaul,Toomey,Lobjoit,Towell.
Subs:McClelland,Marsh,Cooper,Turner,Marsh-Brown,Goodman,
MATCHREPORT22/10/22
Fitzgerald.
XAVICOMAS
MANOFTHEMATCH22/10/22
VSheffordTown&Campton
LEAGUETABLE
TEAMSTATS
ATTENDANCES
Thenewseasonticketswillprovideaccesstoallhomeleaguegamesforthe FirstTeam,theDevelopmentTeamandtheU18s.Thismeansaccesstoover 40gameswhichrepresentsexcellentvalueformoney. Theformsareavailabletodownloadfromourwebsite www.leightontownfc.co.uk Therearealsocopiesoftheformsattheclub. PleasereturnthecompletedformwithyourpaymenttoDavidFriendorAndrew Parker.Bothcardandcashpaymentsarewelcome.
THEVENUEATLEIGHTONTOWNFC LeightonTownFCistheperfectvenueforanythingfromawedding receptiontoacharityevent.Withit’sownseparatebar,roomfor100 guests,it’sownseparateentrance,anddisabledfacilities,amplefree parking. Ourvenueisperfectfor: *WeddingReceptions *21standaboveBirthdayParties *Christenings,religiouscelebrations *CharityEvents *Corporateevents *Funeralreceptions Whatevereventyouhaveplannedpleasefeelfreetocontactuson 07887964117todiscussyourrequirements.Wewillstrivetomake youreventaspecialandmemorableexperienceforyouandyour guests.
YOUNEVERforgetyourfirsttime!Wembleyhadthatsameimpactonmeasithas, anddoes,formanyothers.
MinewasanFAVasefinalbetweenGuisleyandGresleyRoversin1991.Mymain memoriesarebeingslightlylateandrunningupthestepsinsideasthenational anthemswereplaying!Mainlyitwasseeingthatfamouspatchofgrass–andhow greenitlooked.Itwasn’tanordinarypitch.Therewassomethingaboutit.Thegoals weredifferenttoo,thefamoustunnelwaybehindthegoalallcapturingmy imagination.
Ofcourse,thegameprobablyhelped.A4-4thrillerbetweenthetwosides–inthose daysthefinalwenttoareplay–butthesix-year-oldmewashookedin.
OvertheyearsIwasluckyenoughtoseemanymoreFAVasefinalsatthefamous ground.DissTownwinningin1994,TivertonTown’sback-to-backsuccessafew yearslater.
SinceworkingatthepaperI’veonlymissedone–NewportPagnellTown’smost recentwinwithadecentexcuseofhavingafive-dayoldbaby.
FromtheNorthernLeaguedominationandtheevolutiontothefixturebecomingpart ofNon-LeagueFinalsDay,theonlyreallowpointwaswatchingHebburnand ConsettplaytheirgameoutinfrontofanemptystadiumbecauseofCovid.
Itwasright,however,theplayersgottheirchancetoplayonthatpristinesurface.
Forme,theFAVaseisahiddengeminoutfootballingcalendar.Atthemomentit’s
dreamsandaspirationwillbegintogrow.
There’sarawnessaboutthecompetition.Inthelatterstagesteamsfromtheother
Butquiteoftenitisfootballinitspurestform,twoteamswhoknowverylittleabout
TheFAdeservecreditforhowNon-LeagueDayalreadyhasthatfeelofanimportant
Attendanceshavebeenhugeovertheyears–somebigteamshavemadeitthere
earlydays,butastheroundstickonoverthecomingweeksandmonths,the
endofthecountryaredrawnagainsteachother–moderntechnologymeans scoutinghasbecomeeasierandtherearealwayscontactsformanagerstodrawon forinformation.
eachothertryingtowinagameoffootballonagivendayandaimingtotakeanother stepontheroadtoWembley.
dateintheannualfixturelist.
ofcourse–andthenextchallengewillbetoincreasetheneutralsupportontheday. Sowhynotthisyear?TheFAVasefinalisusuallyanaction-packedspectacle.Even ifyou’residearen’tinthecompetition,tryandgetalong.Especiallyifyouhaven’t beenbefore. MattBadcock
ENERGIEFITNESSMEMBERSHIPPACKAGE AllLeightonTownFCseasonticketholderscantakeadvantageofthe ÉNERGIEFITNESSCORPORATEMEMBERSHIPPACKAGE whichcomeswithsomanywonderfulbenefits,including FREEPERSONALTRAINING. Tofindoutmore,simplycallEnergieFitnesson01525853000,ordropin quoting LTFC
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YOUTHWATCH|U18’s Thankyoutoourshirtsponsorsforthenewkitsthisseason,asalways keepinguslookingcleanandprofessional. @MeadOpenFarm,@nationallocums&RobertTuckwell…yoursupportmakes ahugedifferencetoourclub,andit’sapleasuretohaveyouonboard Wewouldalsoliketothank@NexusInsight&@LucaTiaDesignfortheir continuedsupportandsponsorshipofLeightonTown! Withoutyouandallofoursponsorswewouldn’tbeabletokeepdoingwhat wearedoing,sothankyouonceagain
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U18FULLTABLE U18LEAGUETABLE
Manager:LeeBircham Assistant:TonyJoyce Physio:JohnRutherford& LorraineSmith Manager:FergusMoore Assistant:ScottMcGleish Coach:DarrenBonfield Physio:CameronGaffney XaviComas AustinByfield JamesTowell AdrianPitfield KyleConnolly RioBeach OranJackson BobbyArmstrong RobbieGoodman AlvinKyeremeh LukePyman RyanCarruthers MustaphaDumbuya LewisCollins BenSpaul DanPett(c) LewisToomey ChrisBlunden LeonLobjoit GeaorgeMitchell-Gears KieranTurner EthanMooney ArchieMcClelland AyomideOke KevinMarsh BradRobinson JackHarvey KurainasheMusanh JoeFitzgerald SeanWalsh ConnorButler IbrahimNagheeb KwaiMarsh-Brown MattCooper SQUADFROM LeightonTown Red&White/Red/Red MatchOfficials Referee:JakeBloom Assistants:LaurenceMallett:LukeGriggs LeverstockGreen Green/Green/Green
