Match 10 3 vs 10 Launton Boys Athletic FC

Launton Athletic finished the season in fine style with another victory, 10-3, in miserable conditions.  From the outset the boys coped well on a poor surface and looked dangerous with every attack.

The deadlock was broken when Gough hammered home after some fine work by Babington.  Babington was provider for the second too, as he found Lucas-Howells who made no mistake.  Lucas-Howells notched another, after some solid defending by Launchbury.  Having won the ball he sliced open the opposition defence, and Lucas-Howells in top form grabbed his second.

Babington also grabbed a second of the game after a lovely passage of football.  McLeese picked up a loose ball and passed to Gough, Gough cut inside and played it Lucas-Howells who showed great footwork to beat two and flick it through to the advancing Babington.  Wallop. Goal.

Gough also grabbed a second having been found by Lucas-Howells.

Then came the show stopper.

A corner played in was dealt with well by the opposition defence, but poised outside the box was McLeese.  Two steps forward to meet the ball and a strike of top quality sent the ball whistling goalwards.  The keeper dived and stretched a hand, but the stinging nature of strike meant that the ball flew into the net and caused the keeper an injury where his hand had met it.

An absolute screamer by McLeese and a smile to match it!The second half was less eventful.

Having missed a hatful of chances Barrett was rewarded for his work with a second half hat trick.

Three consolation goals for the opposition shouldn’t dishearten the Atheltic defence who were in great form, and battling with great effort.  There could have been a couple of more, but Chaston pulled off two fine saves and commanded his area to prevent further damage to the score line.

A Christmas break well deserved but it’s time to go again early January with two tough fixtures welcoming the boys back, including the much anticipated and media hyped local derby.

COYY!