4 games undefeated for Leighton

Leighton Town FC 1-1 North Greenford United 

After winning against a top of the table side on Saturday, Leighton looked set to keep North Greenford at bay.

With only 30 seconds of the first half gone Chinua Cole failed to defend the ball and gave Danny Watson the chance to score, but unfortunately he hit it straight at the keeper.

Another shot came in for Leighton from Phil Draycott but was saved easily by Melvin Minter. Minter certainly had his work cut out as the first 10 minutes of the game saw Leighton firing the ball into the box but not getting that all important early goal.

Dan Green came into play 6 minutes in when a ricocheted ball off of Chris Crook saw him having to save the ball to stop what could have been an own goal.

Some great defending by Alvin Rajaram saw him dispossess Anthony O'Connor, but the ball fell to Michael Kinsella who's shot was hesitant and easily gathered by Green.

Once again Rajaram and also Robbie Goodman managed to stop North Greenford from making a break for goal in the 18th minute and saw O'Connor receive a yellow card.

In the 28th minute Watson was cornered by North Greenfords' defence but he worked hard and managed to get the ball across to Mark Bunker, who struck the ball on target but it was well blocked.

Claude Senla won Leighton a free kick with 5 minutes of the first half to go. Draycott pin pointed Goodman who'd made a good run into the box but he couldn't quite get his head to the ball, yet another missed opportunity for Leighton.

A silly foul given away by Crook right before half time saw Jack Hutchinson curve the ball in towards the net from the free kick. It looked like Green had it covered but he only pushed the ball further into the net, sending North Greenford into a 1-0 lead.

With the second half under way Christian Lester decided to have a pot shot at goal but his attempt was way too high to trouble Minter.

55 minutes in and a throw from Watson saw the ball played into the box and find the head of Michael Lyon who headed the ball home, putting Leighton back into the game, making it 1-1.

In the 66th minute Draycott managed to fire two shots at Minker, the first bouncing straight back to him before his second being converted out for a corner. Leightons first substitution saw Crook off and Dave Murphy on.

Leighton fought hard to try and get themselves a second goal after several missed chances. A cross from Draycott found Watson who slid into the box but he didn't get enough contact on the ball to threaten Minker.

Goal scorer Lyon came off for Leighton and was replaced by Ash Farmer in the 72nd minute. Farmers first touched managed to win Leighton a corner but was well cleared before Leighton could manage anything.

Leightons finally substitution saw Bunker come off and Tyrone Taylor on. A great long throw by Taylor in the 80th minute, saw Goodman flick the ball onto Senla but the ball was too far gone for him to reach.

With only 3 minutes remaining Watson found himself one on one with Minker, all he needed was to chip it over his head, but Minker managed to get a hand to the ball sending it out for a corner.

The corner was Leightons last chance at winning, Draycott hit the ball but it went straight to the keeper and saw Leighton finish with a 1-1 draw.

Leightons next game is away to Leiston FC in the FA Trophy on Saturday 1st November, kick off 3pm. The coach is leaving Bell Close at 10am, seats cost £12, so if anyone is wishing to travel on the coach they should email Iain McGregor on Iain.mcgregor1@btinternet.com to reserve themselves a seat.

Leighton Town FC

Team- Green, Rajaram, Ridgway, Goodman, Crook, Bunker, Lester, Lyon, Senla, Watson, Draycott

Subs- Durcan, Murphy, Farmer, Morgan, Taylor

North Greenford United

Team- Minter, Delburello, Cole, Austin, Maintou, Brennan, Kinsella, Manu, Wallace, Hutchinson, O'Connor

Subs- Morris, Da Silva, Hopla, Read, O'Neil

Attendance- 60

By Hannah Sellman

Leighton rock the bar at the Pakex Stadium

Potters Bar Town FC 0-3 Leighton Town FC

After successfully making it into the second round of the FA Trophy on Tuesday night, Leighton were brought back down to earth with a tricky game against second in the league Potters Bar.

Leighton kicked off looking strong, but were constantly being caught offside much to the annoyance of the crowd. The first 10 minutes saw Leighton crossing the ball in left, right and centre only for them to be denied of a goal by the lack of players in the box.

A shot from Danny Watson in the 24th minute saw the ball skim over the bar and play was then stopped as Robbie Goodman was treated for an injured shoulder.

Potters Bar had their first corner of the game in the 33rd minute. The ball flew straight across the goal only needing a touch to put them into the lead, however it went straight out for another corner before being well cleared by Leighton.

An unmarked Joe Bennett in the 37th minute saw him slide the ball across to Lamar Simpson but his shot could only find the hands of Dan Green. Good footwork by Alvin Rajaram stopped Lamar Simpson in his tracks as he made his way towards goal only moments later.

With 40 minutes gone, a spectacular ball by Phil Draycott flew towards the goal, bounced off the far post and flew into the corner of the net, putting Leighton into a well-deserved 1-0 lead.

A miss kick by Jack Friend saw the ball ricochet off Danny McNicholas and land at the feet of Claude Senla but his shot bounced behind the back of the net.

A half time announcement revealed that one of the assistant referees had picked up an injury, so Leighton Town supporter Matt Parsons volunteered to take over.

Potters Bar kicked off the second half and a chance came for James Ewington to equalised when he saw Green off his line and no defenders in sight but he panicked and skied the ball over the bar.

With only 4 minutes gone of the second half the determination to win was written all over the faces of Leighton. Draycott played a lovely ball to Senla who slotted it past the keeper without too much trouble, putting Leighton 2-0 up.

56 minutes in and Michael Lyon came on in place of Ash Farmer and moments later Lyon and Mark Bunker both received yellow cards.

A good two handed save over the bar by Green denied Potters Bar of yet another goal. Leightons' second substitution saw Tyrone Taylor come on for Christian Lester.

In the 63rd minute Jack Friends' free kick flew straight across the open goal but there was no one to give the ball the nudge it needed to cross the line.

A Draycott corner curled round to the far post of the goal in the 67th minute finding the towering head of Goodman who headed the ball home.

Chris Doyle could have scored Potters Bars' consolation goal in the 71st minute but his strike hit the bar and ricocheted out to Leighton.

Tommy Boxer was shown a yellow card in the 74th when a bad tackle on Draycott saw him escorted off the pitch and replaced with Aaron Morgan.

The last 5 minutes saw Leighton continue to walk all over Potters Bar, Morgan livened the game up, not backing down when the ball was lost to the opposition and Gary Ridgway won a corner before the final whistle was blown. However Leighton couldn't put another past McNicholas and the game finished at 3-0 to Leighton. 

Leightons next game is at home against North Greenford on Tuesday 28th October, kick off 7:45pm.

Leighton Town FC

Team- Green, Rajaram, Ridgway, Bunker, Crook, Goodman, Farmer, Lester, Senla, Watson, Draycott

Subs- Durcan, Murphy, Lyon, Morgan, Taylor

Potters Bar Town FC

Team- McNicholas, Feltwell, Clifford, Friend, Bozer, Bowditch, Shepherd, Bennett, Hutchinson, Ewington, Simpson

Subs- Akinyemi, Sullivan, Doyle

Attendance- 129

By Hannah Sellman

A step in the right direction for Leighton

Corinthian Casuals 1-3 Leighton Town FC

With only 15 minutes before kick off Leighton only had a 10 man squad, as many of them had got caught in the horrendous M25 traffic, but thankfully when the time came to kick off they'd arrived.

The Casuals kicked off and immediately Mahrez Bettache took a punt at goal but was well off target. An early free kick for Leighton saw Danny Watson test the Casuals defence but they cleared their lines well.

Phil Draycott took a shot from 40 yards out to see how Danny Bracken reacted but he remained composed and gathered the ball. 

12 minutes gone and Dave Hodges made an almighty run from one end of the pitch to the other, eventually crossing the ball into the box, the ball bobbled straight across the goal to Bettache who missed.

Leighton were certainly not afraid to shoot, this time it was Michael Lyon who tested the waters with a shot from the half way line that sent Bracken high into the air and had to convert the ball out for a corner. 

With Leighton looking like they had the upper hand, it was a surprise when a good kick by Bracken, in the 15th minute found Reece Placid, who launched the ball towards the goal and deflected in off Gary Ridgway sending the Casuals into a 1-0 lead. 

A chance from Christian Lester to drew level came in the 30th minute when a good ball by Tyrone Taylor found his feet and just scraped over the bar. 

A dodgy kick by Bracken saw Draycott take his chances and have a go at goal, but Bracken was quick to recover and managed to block the shot with his foot. 

With 40 minutes gone Leighton were still looking for that all important equaliser and it wasn't long before Lyon played a fabulous ball in for Draycott, he skirted round the Casuals defence and curved the ball just under the bar, taking the half time score to 1-1. 

No changes at half time were made for either side and the Casuals came out looking for an early second half goal. Some good play by Steve Goddard and Hodges saw Dan Green have to make his first real save of the game. 

53 minutes played and Bracken made yet another mistake with his kick. Draycott was there to reach the ball and passed it to Watson who went one on one with Bracken and beat him, slotting the ball into the net, sending Leighton into a 2-1 lead. 

Leighton made their first substitution in the 62nd minute bringing off Robbie Goodman for Dave Murphy. 

With a free kick for Leighton, Murphys' first touch of the ball nearly put Leighton 3-1 up, but Bracken was there to catch it. A slightly injured Ridgway made way for Ash Farmer in the 71st minute. 

Farmers' first touch was a brilliant one, he composed himself and pounded the ball at Bracken, the ball bounced back to the feet of Watson and he certainly delivered, earning himself a brace and a scoreline of 3-1 to Leighton. 

An excellent save by Green in the 80th minute denied Jamie Byatt of a goal for the Casuals. 

A silly foul committed by Lester earned the Casuals a free kick but thankfully Byatt could only send the ball flying over the bar, summing up the night for the opposition.

To make matters worse Byatt then received a yellow card when he collided with Green and Chris Crook in the box. 

The final whistle blew and Leighton won 3-1, sending them into the next round of the FA Trophy, which is away to Leiston FC on Saturday 1st November, kick off 3pm.

We would like to thank Corinthian Casuals for their hospitality and good luck for the rest of the season. 

Leightons' next game is away to Potters Bar Town FC on Saturday 25th October, kick off 3pm. 


Corinthian Casuals FC

Team- Bracken, Bowra, Welch-Turner, Hall, Hicks, Turley, Placid, Bettache, Byatt, Goddard, Hodges,
Subs- Wilson-Denis, Bamoussa, Defoe, Vidal 

Leighton Town FC

Team- Green, Rajaram, Ridgway, Bunker, Crook, Goodman, Lyon, Lester, Taylor, Watson, Draycott
Subs- Farmer, Murphy, Halai

Attendance- 70 


By Hannah Sellman 

Ridgway keeps Leighton in the running

Leighton Town FC 3-3 Corinthian Casuals FC

Leightons FA Trophy dreams started today at home against one of the oldest and most famous clubs in the country. 

4 familiar faces returned to the starting line up after recovering from illness, Phil Draycott, suspension, Jamie Nicholls, Claude Senla and injuries, Chris Cook. 

Leighton started the first half with their heads held high determined to get a result. 2 minutes gone and Michael Lyons' cross was defended well by Mason Turner. 

The first corner of the game fell for the Casuals but Dan Green easily punched the ball away. Some great defending by Robbie Goodman stopped Juevan Spencer in his tracks 4 minutes in. 

Alvin Rajaram received a yellow card in the 12th minute for taking down Maz Bettache. 

A dreadful two footed tackle on Goodman saw Dan Dudley only receive a yellow card and Leighton were awarded a free kick. Draycott curled the ball in from the free kick but it was too high for anyone to reach.

Nicholls won Leighton a free kick after being pushed off the ball in the 37th minute. Draycott found the head of Senla but it bounced at an angle off his head and out for a goal kick. 

A last ditch attempt before half time came from a cross by Lyon, but Joe Hicks was there to defend the ball. A vital save by Green just before half time kept the Casuals at bay. 

Before kicking off the second half, Leighton substituted Rajaram for Mark Bunker. Winning the ball back from the Casuals, Danny Watson crossed a fabulous ball into Senla, but it hit his heels before he could take a shot at goal. 

A good ball in by Spencer in the 57th minute, found the unmarked head of Jamie Byatt and he sent the Casuals into the lead. Leighton responded by bringing on Tyrone Taylor for Nicholls. 

A brilliant ball in by Draycott in the 59th minute saw Christian Lester head the ball in off the post, making it all square at 1-1. 

The goal scoring for Leighton didn't stop there with Draycott and Lester working together, racing up the pitch they found the head of Senla, who headed the ball into the back of the net putting Leighton 2-1 up. 

A goal mouth scramble in the 65th minute saw Green parry the ball away but it found the feet of Byatt who slotted the ball home, making it 2-2. 

A real chance for the Casuals to take the lead again came when Green was completely beaten, but Byatt could only find the post and thankfully when the ball bounced back to him Green gathered himself to make a save.

A final substitution for Leighton saw Lester come off and make way for Ash Farmer. 

Leightons defence stopped in their tracks in the 78th minute when they thought Byatt was offside, but with the flag staying down he took his chances hoping for a hat trick. He ran past Crook and put Casuals into a 3-2 lead. 

88 minutes gone and a beautifully struck ball from Draycott saw Dan Bracken push the ball over the bar with his finger tips to deny Leighton a goal. 

With only seconds remaining of injury time, Leighton crowded into the box hoping for a miracle. Draycott stepped up to take the free kick, time slowed down as the ball hung in the air, found the head of Ridgway who put the ball in the net making it 3-3. 

After the excitement of the equaliser, Lester, who had run onto the pitch with the rest of the management, received a yellow card. 

Leighton will now play on Tuesday night (21st October), kick off 7:45pm, away to Corinthian Casuals, if the game is a draw after full time then, extra time and then penalties will be played.

Corinthian Casuals FC

Team- Bracken, Wright, Turner, Hall, Hicks, Dudley, Spencer, Bettache, Byatt, Wilson-Denis, Hodges, 

Subs- Turley, Gill, Cisse, Placid

Leighton Town FC

Team- Green, Rajaram, Ridgway, Nicholls, Crook, Goodman, Lyon, Lester, Senla, Watson, Draycott

Subs- Durcan, Farmer, Morgan, Bunker, Taylor

Attendance 78

By Hannah Sellman

6 point dream becomes a nightmare

Leighton Town FC 0-4 Godalming Town FC

With a win on Tuesday Craig Bicknells' team hoped to continue living the dream, however with numerous injuries and players missing, hopes were dashed quickly.

Leighton won a free kick straight from the word go. Christian Lester stepped up but the ball went too far for Danny Watson to reach. 

A header by Tyrone Taylor looked good but it landed for Antonio Simeone  who cleared his lines. 9 minutes gone and Leighton had their first corner. 

Mark Bunker (in place of Phil Draycott) curved the ball in towards Lester who headed it over the bar. Godalming had their first shot 15 minutes in but it was easily stopped by Dan Green. 

Another good save by Green was made when Jack Mazzone back heeled the ball, however he was offside. A cross in by Gary Ridgeway could only find the head of Nick Hutchings instead of the intended Michael Lyon. 

With the half hour mark looming Godalming went into the lead. Steve Brown hit the ball low and hard towards Green who watched the ball tumble into the net. 

Play was stopped in the 32nd minute due to Ridgeway suffering a head injury. 

A Bunker free kick was Leightons' best chance to even the score before half time. The ball fell to the head of Robbie Goodman who towered over the Godalming defence, but couldn't find the back of the net. 

A near miss for Godalming happened when Liam Roberts (who was offside) struck the ball and hit the post before bouncing out for a goal kick. Ash Farmer was shown a yellow card after only one offence moment before the half time whistle.

Luck wasn't on Leightons side, as right on the stroke of half time Dan Hart scored an own goal, putting Godalming 2-0 up.

Godalming kicked off the second half looking strong, but Leighton were determined to score. Ridgeway put a good cross into Lyon but his legs just weren't long enough to control the ball. Leightons first substitution took place in the 56th minute bringing on Aaron Morgan for Alvin Rajaram. 

A great ball by Farmer nearly saw Chris Musgrove score an own goal which could have lifted Leightons spirits. A good kick by Green found the head of Taylor and the feet of Lester but he rushed his shot and skied the ball over the bar. 

Graeme Purdy made it 3-0 for Godalming, when he ran rings round Leightons defence and slotted the ball home. Liam Roberts was shown a yellow card in the 69th minute. 

It wasn't long before Godalming made it 4-0. Green was out of his goal and Jack Mazzone took his chances, keeping calm and scoring an easy goal. Lyon came off to make way for Kyle Durcan in the 73rd minute.

Dan Hart went down injured 10 minutes before half time and was replaced by Dave Murphy. A bust up between Durcan and Antonio Simeone saw them both receive yellow cards. 

A great run by Antonio Simeone saw him run straight through Leightons defence and took a last ditch attempt at goal during injury time, but thankfully Green made a great diving a pushed the ball against the post denying Godalming of a 5th goal.

Leightons next game is at home to Corinthian Casual in the FA Trophy on Saturday 18th October, kick off 3pm. 

Godalming Town FC

Team- Ossai, Hutton, Hutchings, Simeone, Lloyd, Musgrove, Hutton, Brown, Purdy, Mazzone, Roberts

Subs- Palladino, Frith, Micaletto

Leighton Town FC

Team- Green, Rajaram, Ridgeway, Goodman, Hart, Taylor, Lester, Lyon, Farmer, Watson, Bunker

Subs- Morgan, Halai, Durcan, Murphy 

Attendance- 95

By Hannah Sellman