Leigh Match Report

[Alan W (GNFC)]

My version of the match events (what there were of them!) :-

 

Leigh 0 Fleet 0

 

This game must surely rank alongside that of the Kettering game at Stonebridge road, as being the poorest games in which Fleet have been involved this season.

 

The bone hard, bumpy pitch, which also supports the local rugby league team, was certainly never going to produce a classic, but 2 efforts on target the whole game, one from each team, tells its own story.

 

Fleet did start quite positively and after just 2 minutes, Evans had a chance from 12 yards, but the goalbound shot unfortunately hit McKimm and was cleared..

 

After 11 minutes, Fleet had strong penalty appeals waved away, as Evans chased what appeared to be a lost cause. To the Fleet fans behind the goal, it appeared clear cut that he had nicked the ball away and then got caught by the defender, and even the Leigh keeper, Coburn, seemed to acknowledge they’d had a real let off, but neither did the ref give the penalty nor did he (as seemed the obvious alternative) book Evans for diving.

 

On 13 minutes, Leigh had their first attack down the Fleet right, but the forward meeting the cross, could only sky his effort badly over the bar.

 

On 26 minutes, Jay Lovett made a good run down the Fleet right, only to see his left foot shot blocked for a corner, which the keeper punched clear from under his bar.

 

5 minutes later, a Fleet free kick was chipped in from 25 yards, but Jimmy Strouts just failed to get a touch as a defender and keeper closed him down.

 

On 35 minutes, it was Evans causing Leigh problems again, with a jinking run, which ended with him being upended right on the 18 yard line by Fitzhenry, who was duly booked.. Che Stadhart’s well struck free kick flew inches over the bar.

 

On 40 minutes, neat play from Rob Owen gave Jay Lovett a shooting chance, but he could only direct his 25 yard effort straight to Coburn.

 

2 minutes into injury time, Leigh broke down their right, but the final lobbed effort could only clear the bar and hit the back stanchion.

 

So half time came, and we could only think that things must get better in the second half.

 

Within 4 minutes of the restart, Heald became the second Leigh booking, following a foul on Rob Owen.

 

On 52 minutes, a long kick from Wilkerson cleared the defence and allowed Che Stadhart to set up Evans and then Lovett, but the cross was too deep and was cleared.

 

Immediately, Stadhart was replaced by Hatch, who certainly added a little more bite to the Fleet approach, although not a vast amount, it must be said.

 

On 59 minutes, Lovett almost played Jackson through, but the ball was cut out at the last. From the resultant throw, Hatch flicked on and Coburn claimed well under pressure.

 

On 61 minutes, Hatch played a neat ball through for Jackson, but with the ball bobbling, he could only hit a well struck shot inches wide of the far post

 

After 65 minutes, Hatch ran on to a flicked on header and tried a lob from 25 yards, but it easily cleared the bar.

 

2 minutes later, Leigh replaced Heald and Harrison with Campbell & Ford, and Fleet replaced Evans with Budge.

 

On 71 minutes, Skinner was the first Fleet player booked, for a clear obstruction, and from the free kick, Wilkerson comfortably made his only save of the game, from a header lacking power.

 

On 73 minutes a Fleet break down their right, ended with a Lovett cross well cut out at the near post.

 

2 minutes later, Liam Hatch and the Leigh number 4, Durkin, were booked for a minor skirmish.

 

After 77 minutes, a Leigh free kick found its way to Campbell on the right, but his fiercely struck ball across the face of goal gave his fellow forwards little chance of getting a final touch.

 

Kwashi then replaced Mckimm for Fleet for the last 10 minutes.

 

On 80 minutes, a long throw fell to Hatch, who could only drag his shot on the turn, wide.

 

2 minutes later, and a chipped free kick from Jackson, found Strouts 8 yards out, but he could only put his header over the bar.

 

Scott, of Leigh, was then booked for backchat, after the ref stopped play for a head injury.

 

The final piece of action in the game came after 87 minutes, when Hatch got behind the Leigh defence, but failed to put his lob on target, and the effort dropped 2 yards wide.

 

So, it was a point apiece for both sides, which did neither any favours, but which ultimately still left Fleet a point clear of the 3rd relegation spot.

 

We can only hope, however, that the next game against Barnet at Stonebridge Road next Saturday, sees a major improvement in the quality of the game, and with it, 3 points for the Fleet.

 

Fleet :-

 

Wilkerson, Lovett, Duku, Burton, Skinner, Strouts, Owen, McKimm, Jackson, Evans, Stadhart

 

Subs:-

 

Turner, Hatch, Budge, Wilkins, Kwashi.

 

[Mepis]

Nice One Alan W, good report.

[Hempstead Gaz]

I listened to the game on RK, sounds like Mike Green and Chas Webster were as bored as the 385 crowd. Hopefully we should get a few more against Barnet. Well done Alan, much appreciated.