Wickford & Runwell Utd Res 2 - 4 Leigh Town Sunday 1st
Our Sundays 1sts signed off pre-season in style, with an excellent win against a strong Wickford & Runwell side.
As per the last game, it took us a bit of time to settle into this one - Wickford & Runwell starting certainly the stronger team, controlling the game and pinning us back, and taking a deserved lead. Thankfully this kicked us up a gear though, with our attackers starting to cause trouble with their pressing and runs and our midfield starting to dominate, and things were rightly level when Mason K scored a classy goal after driving past through the defence to create an opening he clinically buried in the bottom corner. We continued to build on this, with Leighton in particular wreaking havoc with his positioning and runs, scoring 2 and only being denied a first half hat trick due to being scythed down by the keeper as he took it past him…we’ll let the ref off for not sending it off as it’s a friendly, next week we might well be a tad more animated about it! 3-1 at half-time and a very happy manager.,
With a big squad today, and wanting to get everyone some valuable minutes as we prepare for the league, our much changed team regressed in the opening exchanges of the second half. Wickford & Runwell dominated much of the first 20-30 minutes as we struggled to get out, and it was only down to terrific performances across the back line that we maintained our lead for so long - but nothing lasts forever and, after a simple pass split our back line, the score came back to 3-2. Again this sparked a reaction though, and we started to find our flow again and start causing more threat - a great finish from Sonny ruled out by a rather contentious offside call nearly put things to bed, but it was only a matter of time before we restored our lead. A great ball from Matt saw Leighton through again, an almost carbon copy seeing him round the keeper (without being taken down this time), some great defending blocking his shot only for Leighton to very unselfishly lay the ball into the path of Aawaiz to finish in the top corner and get his second in 2 games. A well managed game to the end, and looking much improved and ready for the season.
A great way to finish off pre-season with a win against tough opposition, and positives across the board - superb defending from all, commanding performances in the middle, and Leighton back to his best and showing what a handful he’s going to be this season.
Next weekend we kick off our season away to Benfleet B - an opponent we know will be a very tough match, but we look forward to going out there and competing to get the result.
#UpTheTown
