Hutton Reserves 3-3 Leigh Town Sat 1st
Leigh Town 1sts continued their season with what was certainly a good game for the neutral. Some nice football from both teams, good saves, even better goals, mistakes and a proper physical battle throughout the match.
Both teams were very much up for the game and that’s certainly how things started off. Leigh Town started promisingly, winning the early exchanges and having some good success down the right hand side with Aawaiz and Theo linking up very well and almost yielding the first goal, with Theo’s shot across the goal well defended. Hutton grew into the game and started to take control, almost taking the lead when through on goal only to be denied by an excellent save from Sam, before then hitting the bar after a succession of corners. The deadlock was finally broken after some good play from Aawaiz set Chris charging down the wing, winning his battle with the defender before curling a stunning effort into the ‘top bins’. Thinking we would end the half with the 1-0 lead, unfortunately Hutton stepped up their game with some great interplay and their striker was able to level for 1-1 at the break.
The second half started in the same spirits, with tackles flying in whilst both teams tried to play good attacking football. This time it was Hutton to take the lead, after a long throw and some misplaced passes presented them the opportunity to get ahead and put us on the back foot - but Leigh Town were quick to bite back, with some great wing play from Chris setting it up for the gaffer Tommy with a lovely left-footed chip over the Hutton keeper and squaring proceedings. Tommy put his head to good use and soon came close to putting us back in the lead after some great play from Connor, as Town pushed for a winner and turned up the pressure.
Heartbreak seemed to have struck late on though at the 86 minute mark, as the theme of the day with strong wing play saw a cross met by the head of the Hutton attacker, 3-2 to Hutton with time running out…but we’re not ones to give up! Some good link up between Tommy and Theo, with Theo continuing to terrorise the opposition defence with his pace and direct running, resulted in a late free kick in a good crossing position. Could it be? Damn right it could, with Gareth delivering a great ball onto Tommy’s head forcing a finger tip save from the Hutton keeper, but who else to meet it and slam the ball home but our ever reliable goal-getter Chris to make it a brace and, most importantly, level the game and earn a well-deserved draw.
Certainly an exciting affair and game of ups and downs, but a great point well earned against a typically tough Hutton team. Digging deep and never giving up is something we are always proud to see, and we go again next week ready to continue our unbeaten start and earn the full 3 points away to Pitsea Athletic 1st.
#UpTheTown
