LEIGHTON Town manager Craig Wells is backing his in-form side to give title challenging Slough Town a good run for their money after they made it four games without defeat at Uxbridge on Saturday.
After three straight Evo-Stik League Division One Central wins, Town picked up a very creditable 1-1 draw away at play-off chasing Uxbridge, but face an even bigger test when they travel to Slough on Saturday.
The Berkshire side were downed 5-3 at Bedworth United last time out, while league leaders St Neots nicked a 1-0 win at Fleet, giving them a three-point cushion in the title race with just two games remaining.
So Wells is expecting a difficult test on Saturday, but has backed his players to do the club proud, insisting they can beat anyone on their day.
“It’s no coincidence that our good run has coincided with us getting all our players back,” he said. “We’ve had a tough couple of weeks with people missing for one reason or another, but when everyone is fit we’re a very good side and can beat anyone.
“It feels very good to be ending the season well, but it’s not over yet and I’m challenging my players to pick up points from each of our two games left to play.”
After their trip to Slough, Town end the season at home to Northwood on April 28, and could yet finish as high as 12th, despite flirting with relegation just a few months ago.
Enzo Silvestri has been one of those missing in recent weeks and he fired home Town’s second half equaliser to earn a point at Uxbridge. In fact the visitors looked the more likely to take all three points.
Leighton started the game with Sam Chapman at right back in place of the suspended Andre Maltay with Charlie Cunningham restored to the centre of defence, as Alex Bradley was selected on the left side of midfield for his full debut in the first team.
Leon Simpson led the attack with Ben Gallant playing in a wide right midfield role.
Town started the game well and were stroking the ball around with confidence although they were unable to create any real chances. Just when Town looked as if they had got through the opening stages without any major problems, the hosts took the lead in the 19th minute.
The ball was played in from the Town left flank but eluded everyone, and Tomkins was quickest to the loose ball and delivered a terrific cross into the box which the unmarked Farrell headed into home.
Town replied well and a few minutes later and home keeper Elston-Bull was forced to make a fine save with his legs to deny Jake Bewley.
The visitors then had a good shout for a penalty denied when Simpson and the Uxbridge keeper challenged for a high ball. The big striker won the ball and the keeper clattered into him, but despite the appeals of the Leighton players and bench, neither Mr Finch nor his nearest assistant showed any interest in awarding a spot-kick.
Wells asked his team to play at a higher tempo in the second half and they made a great start. They were awarded a free kick on the right flank and when Bewley swung the ball into the penalty area it broke loose on the edge of the box and Silvestri fired in a fierce shot that hit the net with the keeper a mere spectator.
Town believed they should have had another penalty when Silvestri appeared to be pushed as he tried to head a cross – but again the referee was having none of it.
Lewis McBride replaced the injured Bishop moments later, but it didn’t disrupt Town’s style much as Bewley ran down the left and delivered a low ball across the face of the Uxbridge goal and the keeper could only kick the ball against Simpson, unfortunately for the visitors the ball rebounded off the striker and wide of the post.
Town were looking much the better side and in the 61st minute Ben Gallant delivered a cross from the right which Ross Hanley touched into Silvestri but his shot was too high.
They kept up the pressure and once again it was Gallant causing problems as he delivered the ball to the far post where Hanley looked certain to score, but the midfielder couldn’t quite get a decisive touch and the chance was lost.
Uxbridge then created a chance but Haydn Dodge saved well with his leg to deny Uxbridge captain Carter.
Instead it was Town who continued to look the more threatening as both Silvestri and Simpson went close – the latter seeing his header cleared off the line as the game entered the final 10 minutes.
Boss Wells was particularly keen to praise 19-year-old Bradley who made a terrific debut on the left before filling in for the injured Bishop in the holding midfield role. And he’s desperate for his side to maintain their momentum into the final two weeks of the season, starting at Slough on Saturday.