Costly mistake sees Leighton lose

Leighton Town FC 0-1 Hanwell Town FC

With Hanwell currently sitting 3rd in the league the game was never going to be easy for Leighton. even though the two sets of players had met on numerous occasions before.

Hanwell kicked off and Eoin Casey had a go at goal in the 1st minute but it fell straight into Dan Green's hands. 

It was noticed by many of the Leighton supporters that Hanwell's keeper Alex Tokarczyk seemed to be moving uneasily and when his kicks didn't reach the half way line it confirmed the speculation. 

A searching ball from Mark Bunker in the 15th minute saw the hand of Tokarczyk convert it out for Leightons first corner of the game. 

Chris Crook was shown a yellow card for his first offence after pulling a Hanwell player back by his shirt in the 17th minute. 

Tom Kennedy nearly put Danny Watson's cross into the back of the net in the 29th minute but luckily for Hanwell it stayed out.

Tokarczyk denied Leighton of a goal in the 35th minute when he managed to clear the ball of the line twice, one from the head of Michael Lyon.

Moments before half time Leighton were awarded a corner, but Christian Lester could only send the ball flying over the bar before the whistle was blown.  

One change was made for Leighton during halftime, a limping Lester was replaced by Claude Senla. The start of the second half saw Hanwell have 3 superb shots at goal, within the first 5 minutes. 

A mistake by Robbie Goodman in the 55th minute saw Bill Healy take a shot at goal, but Green stuck his leg out saving the shot with his foot. 

Phil Draycott was shown a yellow card for taking down Billy Adock who made a miraculous recovery.

A lovely strike by Lyon saw Tokarczyk dive for the ball, but he couldn't keep hold of it leaving it for both Watson and Senla to try and score, but the referee blew his whistle for offside. 

The 72nd minute saw Green miss kick the ball not once but twice, it fell to the feet of Michael Buckley who struck the ball hard and Bill Healey flicked the ball into the net sending Hanwell into a 1-0 lead. 

Alvin Rajaram received a yellow card in the 80th minute along with Oliver Duffy. 

A scrambled but crucial save was made by Green with only 8 minutes left on the clock. Shouts from Hanwell could be heard saying the ball had crossed the line but no goal was given and the score remained 1-0 to Hanwell. 

Leightons second substitution saw Tyrone Taylor replaced with Ash Farmer. 

Two consecutive fouls from Michael Buckley really summed up the game for Leighton in the 85th minute. First he took down Farmer and then shortly after Rajaram and yet Buckley was still never shown a yellow card.

Leighton's final substitution saw Lyon replaced with Aaron Morgan. 

A 92nd minute shot was Gary Ridgway's last chance to try and earn Leighton that all important equaliser but Tokarczyk saved the strike well.

Leightons next game is away to North Greenford in the second round of the Red Insure Cup on Tuesday 2nd December, kick off 7:45pm (weather permitting). 

Hanwell Town FC

Team- Tokarczyk, Kennedy, Watson, Bywater, Duffy, Inch, Adcock, Buckley, Healey, Casey, Smith

Subs- Otira, Duffy, Vincent, Olufemi

Leighton Town FC

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

Subs- Senla, Halai, Farmer, Irving, Morgan

Attendance- 82

By Hannah Sellman