Local derby ends goalless

Aylesbury United 0-0 Leighton Town FC

With the rain falling heavily, making the pitch slippery underfoot it was always going to be a difficult game. Craig Bicknell had to make one change to his starting line up with Tyrone Taylor unavailable it was up to Warren Garcia (ex-Aylesbury united player) to fill his shoes.

Aylesbury kicked off the first half and were awarded a free kick, which ex-Leighton player Jake Bewley only managed to fire into Leightons defensive wall. 

Leighton had their first chance of a goal in the 4th minute when Paul Lyon won the ball in the air and headed it down towards Danny Watson but his attempt went flying over the bar. 

When the ball fell for Stacey Field in the 14th minute he worked hard to find Ben Baines but his attempt was weak and Dan Child gathered it easily. 

Bewley miss-headed the ball in the 16th minute and Aaron Morgan was able to take advantage of his mistake, putting a fabulous cross into the box but it was met by Jack Wood and cleared. 

Chris Crook accidentally caught Joey Acheahpong in the 23rd minute and turned back to apologies but Acheahopong retaliated and started having it out with Crook. 

Some great defending by Crook and Dave Murphy and a smart save by Child saw Aylesbury fail to breach Leightons’ defence. 31 minutes had past when Acheahpong and Murphy both jumped to win the ball, however Acheahpong had no intention to go for the ball and instead winded Murphy and play was stopped while he recovered. 

The 39th minute saw Child go down injured and receive treatment before continuing. With only 2 minutes till half time Phil Draycott had a shot from a ball played through by Mark Bunker but was denied a goal. 

Leighton kicked off the second half and Watson had a chance at scoring, but his shot bobbled along in front of the goal and just needed that final touch to end up in the back of the net. Murphy made a crucial clearance from an Aylesbury free kick stopping them in their tracks in the 57th minute. 

Leightons’ first substitution came in the 59th minute when Warren Garcia made way for Michael Lyon. Not long after this change Field who took his chance, spotted Child out of his goal and it should have been an easy goal but he struck it wide.

Leightons' best chance of a goal came in the 66th when a ball from Draycott found Watson and he hit the underside of the cross bar.

A free kick for Aylesbury saw Liam Smyth find the feet of Steve Hatch, who had a glaring chance at goal and was only inches away form putting Aylesbury in the lead. Another chance fell for Aylesbury to score when Greg Williams played the ball through to Field but Jamie Nicholls was there and the shot was well blocked.

Leightons' second substitution saw Nicholls replaced with Robbie Goodman. A shot for Draycott came in the 77th minute when Michael Lyon won the ball in a superb tackle, but once again Jack Sillitoe had it covered. 

A great win in the air by Morgan saw him play the ball to Michael Lyon, who charged towards Sillitoe with a goal in his sights, but both of them ended up on the ground with the ball in Sillitoes' hands. 

A last ditch attempt for Leighton came in the 87th minute when Alvin Rajaram set the ball free for Draycott to head but Sillitoe wasn't troubled by the shot. 

Just before the final whistle Aylesbury earned themselves a corner. As the ball was struck the referee blew for full time and the ball hit the post, a lucky escape for Leighton and the game ended 0-0.

Leightons' next game is away to Bedfont and Feltham in the FA Cup Preliminary Round on Saturday 30th August, kick off 3pm. 


Leighton Town FC 



Team- Child, Bunker, Rajaram, Crook, Murphy, P.Lyon, Nicholls, Garcia, Morgan, Watson, Draycott


Subs- Green, Goodman, Durcan, Lyons, M.Lyon

Aylesbury United

Team- Sillitoe, Hatch, Bewley, Wood, Morgan, Smyth, Baines, Williams, Acheahpong, Field, Waites



Subs- Wood, Blackett, Osbourne, Grace, Higby 



Attendance- 226



By Hannah Sellman