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