Leigh match report

[Alan W (GNFC)]

See the following :- Apologies for the length !

 

Fleet 3 Leigh 1

 

 

Although Fleet controlled the majority of this game, with undoubtedly their most fluent home performance this season so far, the lack of a regular goalscorer and the odd defensive frailty, left supporters with hearts in their mouths for much of the game.

 

Fleet started the game with a neat move down their left, in the very first minute, and immediately won a corner as QPR loan man, Ben Walshe’s cross was well blocked for a corner.

 

Fleet continued to press and after 3 minutes a high ball in by Skinner saw a scramble in the Leigh box, and the ball was hacked clear for a second corner. This was met by a Pinnock volley beyond the far post which was blocked on the line for the 3rd Fleet corner inside the first 4 minutes.

 

Leigh were looking to get forward themselves, and won their first corner a minute later, which came to nothing.

 

On 7 minutes, Pinnock showed excellent ball control and slipped a good ball through to Owen, whose cross from the byline was just too high for Haworth on the edge of the 6 yard box.

 

2 minutes later, it was Mckimm’s through ball to Pinnock stretching the Leigh defence, but the cross was too low and was blocked for another corner.

 

On 10 minutes, good play by Haworth on the left set up Pinnock, but he was just unable to get any power behind his goalbound effort and keeper Coburn easily claimed.

 

A minute later and this time it was Haworth who found himself in a good position following strong play by Walshe on the left, but again, he was just unable to get any weight behind his shot, under challenge from the Leigh defender.

 

Fleet were continuing to play neat football, which in the next few minutes, created half chances for both Pinnock and Haworth, both of which were directed just off target.

 

On 21 minutes, a neat passing move from right to left saw Walshe released, but his final shot was weak and was easily blocked for a corner.

 

After 25 minutes came Leigh’s first real threat on the Fleet goal as Robinson placed a stooping header from a corner, just wide of the far post.

 

3 minutes later, and Fleet gave the ball away in midfield, and were thankful that the opportunity was wasted as it was blasted well beyond the far post.

 

Fleet’s worst period in the match continued as O’Reilly almost gifted Leigh a goal as a cross slipped through his hands onto the head of Robinson at the back post. Luckily, Robinson wasn’t expecting it and the ball simply hit his head and dropped wide.

 

Within 5 minutes, Leigh had shot themselves in the foot, as Maden committed 2 bookable offences in a short space of time – firstly, catching Moore very late and then diving in on Walshe. Referee Appleby had little choice but to red card the Leigh man.

 

3 minutes later and Fleet went in front, with a little bit of good fortune. Another good break down the left saw Pinnock set up Walshe. His cross was apparently mishit, but fell back to the feet of Pinnock, who attempted to curl his shot into the corner. The ball took a deflection and Coburn did brilliantly to push it out, only to see Owen react quickest on the far post to slot the ball home.

 

Almost immediately, Fleet did their best to throw the lead away, as a ggod cross from Fleet’s left again found the head of Robinson. Just as the Fleet fans were thinking “Here we go again”, however, the ball bounced back off the post and was cleared.

 

At half time, Fleet boss Andy Ford replaced O’Reilly, who was apparently carrying a knee injury, with Wilkerson, making a welcome first start of the season.

 

Fleet again started the second half as they had the first. and within 3 minutes, a good through ball from Pinnock set Walshe free on the left and his cross was just taken off the toes of Haworth.

 

On 51 minutes, Haworth had 2 opportunities – firstly chasing a through ball, which the Leigh defence only half cleared and then as the ball ricocheted around, the ball fell kindly for him 10 yards out. All he could do, however, was place an instinctive effort on the turn, just wide of the post.

 

3 minutes later and another Fleet corner caused further problems in the Leigh defence. The ball was only half cleared and, as one of the Leigh defenders lay injured on the 6 yard line, Mckimm clipped it back in and Moore’s header drifted just wide of the far post.

 

On 58 minutes, Fleet eventually went two goals ahead. A cross from the right was aimed towards Haworth, but fell just behind him. The Leigh defender dithered, however, and was robbed by Walshe, whose shot was spilt by Coburn and Haworth pounced to slot the ball home from close range.

 

Within 5 minutes, Leigh replaced Robinson with Downey, and 2 minutes later, they found a chance to get back into the game. A long through ball, caught the Fleet defence static, and McNiven finished well, with a lob over the stranded Wilkerson from 25 yards.

 

Fleet now raised their game again and within 2 minutes, an effort by Gradley from 10 yards, with his back to goal, went narrowly wide.

 

On 67 minutes, McKimm did well to disposses a Leigh defender and ran in on goal, but rather rushed his shot and his 25 yard effort cleared the bar.

 

Leigh then made a second substitution, bringing on Ian Monk, but this made little difference to the general pattern of the game and almost immediately, Pinnock did well to get round the back of the Leigh defence, only to see his cross blocked for a corner.

 

On 72 minutes came Fleets last real moment of concern, as Leigh sprung forward down the Fleet right. A deep cross was headed back in, but just as the Leigh forward looked primed to head the equaliser, Shearer appeaed and headed the ball clear.

 

Play switched back to the other end and on 75 minutes, Walshe broke through, but his effort was well saved by the keepers legs.

 

On 79 minutes, however, Fleet scored the vital 3rd goal. A handball offence conceded a free kick on the right hand corner of the penalty area and Walshe stepped forward to clip an excellent free kick into the box where Moore did well to get down low and head home.

 

On 82 minutes, Pinnock almost broke through from the half way line, as he beat the Leigh defence to the ball in the centre circle. Keeper Coburn just got there first however, and then collapsed in a heap, although it appeared Pinnock had made limited contact, and certainly not with intent.

 

As the ball went forward, the Leigh captain, Lancaster took exception to the challenge and reacted angrily towards Pinnock, raising his hands. Referee Appleby then had to physically restrain Lancaster as he appeared to grab McKimm by the throat. A red card was inevitable and Lancaster stormed off down the tunnel.

 

Fleet were now comfortably in control and Walshe almost crowned an excellent performance with a 25 yard drive that flew inches over. Unfortunately, Walshe injured himself in hitting the shot and he was immediately substituted along with Rob Haworth. Perkins and Abbey replaced them.

 

Abbey almost created an opportunity for himself as he wriggled round the back of the Leigh defence, and the last act of the game saw a good ball over the top by Gradley, find Mckimm . As Pinnock waited for the pass which surely would have seen the fourth Fleet goal, Mckimm again went for glory, only to see his fierce volley fly just over the bar from 15 yards out.

 

So Fleet gained their first home win of the season and go into a tough period with confidence surely improving all the time.

 

Fleet :- O’Reilly (Wilkerson 46), Lee, Shearer, Moore, Skinner, McKimm, Gradley, Walshe (Perkins 85), Owen, Pinnock, Haworth (Abbey 85)