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 Leighton Town Under 16’s are County Champions after a great second half comeback against holders AFC Dunstable at Langford. Town fell behind after just 8 minutes when a loose ball in the box that was fired goal wards, clipped Grant Fryer’s foot and looped over Dan Burt. This was AFC Dunstable’s third consecutive final and they looked more comfortable with the occasion, with a lob coming back off the bar and Fryer needing to head the follow-up off the line to keep Town in the game. However as the half wore on, Town got to grips with the game as Sam Doughty and Shaun Nottingham harried the Dunstable defence at every opportunity. Adam Bosworth did lots of good work down the right and you could sense the tide turning as half-time arrived.
Dunstable found themselves on the back foot as soon as the second half began and Town were soon on level terms. A rash challenge on the corner of the penalty area gave Chad King a chance to curl the ball in towards the onrushing heads but it eluded them all and found the far corner to the delight of the vociferous Leighton crowd. Alex Green and Wes Nottingham bossed the midfield and Shane Bush worked up and down the right to good effect as the pressure began to mount. Louis Norton and Ashley Greenall combined impeccably on the left and snuffed out all of the earlier threats down that side. The loss of defensive rock Sam Scott to injury was a concern but Town shrugged it off and took the lead after the best move of the game. King brought the ball out of defence and fed the ball into Shaun Nottingham whose first time layoff found Green, just inside the area, who lofted the ball over the keeper to send Town into raptures.
Aaron Leggett and Alex Watkin came on to bring fresh legs into play and Town were rarely threatened after that. In fact they almost made the game safe when Shaun Nottingham hit the post but the AFC keeper did well to get back to save Doughty’s follow-up shot with his legs. Five minutes of added time seemed like an eternity but eventually the whistle blew and Town were able to celebrate their first County Cup success.
Congratulations to all the lads for their hard work and dedication throughout the season – only 7 more games to go and another cup to win!!!!!
 Many thanks also to the team’s fantastic sponsors, Silverlink Trains, for their support in recent years.
Squad: Adam Bosworth, Alex Brooks, Dan Burt, Shane Bush, Sam Doughty, Grant Fryer, Alex Green, Ashley Greenall, Luke Kelly, Chad King, Aaron Leggett, Louis Norton, Shaun Nottingham, Wes Nottingham, Carlo Romano, Sam Scott, Alex Watkin.
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