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