Championship-chasers warm-up for win at Leafe

Ryman South Whyteleafe are hoping more clubs from the professional game will want to use their first class facilities after League One leaders Bristol City prepared for their win over Crawley Town on Saturday at Church Road.

After winning promotion back into the Ryman League last May as Southern Counties East League champions, the Leafe installed a state-of-the-art 3G pitch last summer which was used by Steve Cotterill's squad on Friday for a rigorous training session, pictured, after they'd travelled down from Ashton Gate.

Cotterill's Robins went on to snatch all three points at Crawley's Broadfield Stadium after staying at a nearby hotel to maintain their ten-point lead while Whyteleafe secretary Chris Layton saw his own club hold onto the fifth and final play-off spot at the weekend with a 3-1 home win over Three Bridges, Sam Clayton netting a first half double before Jason Henry's late strike for John Fowler's side.

Layton said: "We were delighted to welcome manager Steve Cotterill, his coaching team and their first team squad of approximately 25 players to Church Road on Friday.

"After the session which lasted for an hour and half, the visitors heaped praise on the facilities here at Whyteleafe and were very grateful for the hospitality afforded to them.

"Hopefully we can host similar sessions for other big pro clubs in the future. Congratulations to Steve and his boys who went on to win 2-1 on Saturday."

Image courtesy of www.theleafe.co.uk

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