Leighton crash out of country cup

Leighton Town FC 1-4 Arlesey Town FC

With Leighton beating Biggleswade United by a single goal in the first round back in November, it was time to face Arlesey in round two. 

Arlesey currently sit 19th in the Southern League Premier Division, the same position in the table as Leighton.

Kicking off the first half Tyrone Taylor clipped the ball into the box for Ash Farmer, but he collided with the keeper before reaching the ball. 

Phil Draycott's shot was cleared off the line in the 5th minute and moments after Zaki Oualah was having to make a save to stop Sam Willett from scoring.

Leighton came close in the 12th minute, when Draycott's first shot ricochet off Arlesey's defence straight back to his feet, but he rushed his second shot and the ball went over the bar. 

The 25th minute saw Gary Ridgway covering two players, George Ironton laid off the ball to Harley Kelly who managed to fire the ball into the top corner of the net, sending Arlesey into the lead.

6 minutes later Arlesey claimed their second goal of the evening. The ball was played back to Oualah but Hallelujah Basmel was quick to put him under pressure and he found the back of the net, 2-0. 

If being 2-0 down after 30 minutes wasn't bad enough, Arlesey were awarded a penalty with 10 minutes of the first half remaining. 

Ironton stepped up to the spot and fired the ball home, making it 3-0 before half time. Danny Watson played a beautiful ball through to Draycott but his shot was too powerful and high. 

Leighton made a double substitution at half time bringing off Paul Lyon and Mark Bunker for Aaron Moran and Michael Lyon. 

Arlesey also made their first change at half time replacing Warren Plowright (ex-Leighton player) with Luke Gregson. 

Finally in the 57th minute Leighton had something to celebrate. Draycott made a great run down the left hand side to find the feet of Watson and he tapped it across the line, making it 3-1. 

Leighton kept firing the ball into the box but couldn't get that all important finish they needed. Farmer's shot came close in the 66th minute but Nick Thompson stuck his foot out to clear it off the line. 

It was all over for Leighton in the 70th minute when substitute Liam McGovern fired home Arlesey's fourth goal. Leighton made their final substitution bringing off Dave Murphy for Robbie Goodman. 

A fabulous cross my Michael Lyon found Watson, but his shot hit the outside of the post and bounced out for a goal kick. 

With 4 minutes injury time Arlesey could have got themselves a 5th goal when Stefan Bailey's shot hit the post but luckily the ball stayed out of the back of the net. 

Everyone at Leighton Town would like to wish Arlesey good luck in the next round of the Beds Senior Cup.

Leighton's next game is away to Kettering (who we beat at the beginning of the season, 3-1 at home) on Saturday 31st January, kick off 3pm. 

Arlesey Town FC

Team- Thompson, Kelly, Bailey, Plowright, Sage, Willett, Powell, Tavernier, Kegni, Basmel, Ironton

Subs- Hilaire, Endersby, William, Gregson, McGovern

Leighton Town FC 

Team- Oualah, Bunker, Ridgway, Crook, Murphy, P. Lyon, Taylor, Farmer, B. Lobjoit, Watson, Draycott

Subs- Morgan, Goodman, M. Lyon, Green 

Attendance- 41

By Hannah Sellman 

Long awaited win for Leighton

Leighton Town FC 2-0 Potters Bar Town FC

With everyone suffering from football withdrawal symptoms due to so many postponements, finally after 12 days it was time for Leighton to face 13th in the league Potters Bar.

Leighton previously caned the Scholars back in October at the Pakex Stadium, beating them 3-0, with goals from Claude Senla, Phil Draycott and Danny Watson. 

Kicking off the first half Leighton set the pace of the game, with Billy Lobjoit having a shot in the 8th minute straight at Mike Underwood. 

10 minutes in and Leighton had their first corner of the game however it was easily cleared. Draycott found himself facing an open goal in the 16th minute, his shot was low and powerful but went wide of the post.

Two consecutive saves from Zaki Oualah denied Josh Hutchinson and Chris Doyle of goals for Potters Bar. Christian Lester made a great tackle in the 30th minute, stopping Joe Bennett in his tracks towards goal. 

A great ball in by Billy Lobjoit, found the head of Tyrone Taylor, he tried to head the ball home but Underwood managed to get his fingertips to the ball and force it over the bar. 

Missed chances were once again Leighton's downfall, with an open goal twice within a few minutes Danny Watson was unable to put them into the lead. 

With the second half underway Leighton were determined to get a goal. Mark Bunker fired a long ball in but it went well wide of the post. Potters Bar then defended well blocking shots from Billy Lobjoit and Draycott.

Watson received a yellow card in the 64th minute whilst on the ground injured. Leighton made their first substitution in the 69th minute bringing off Ash Farmer for Aaron Morgan. 

It all came together in the 72nd minute for Leighton, when Draycott played the ball past the keeper and into the bottom corner of the net, making it 1-0. 

Lester received a yellow card for a foul in the 74th minute and four minutes later Billy Lobjoit came off to make way for Claude Senla. 

An open goal in the 82nd minute saw Taylor attempt to make it 2-0 but Jack Friend was there to stop the shot. 

It wasn't long before a long awaited second goal for Leighton made an appearance. A great ball in by Taylor found Senla and he calmly slotted the ball straight past Underwood, sending Leighton into a 2-0 lead. 

Leighton's final substitution saw Michael Lyon replace Draycott. The final minute of the game saw Oualah dive for the ball and it was up to both Gary Ridgway and Lester to head the ball off the line when it fell to the feet of Potters Bar. 

Two minutes into injury time and Senla tried to lob the keeper to get a third goal for Leighton, but it flew just over the bar.

Leighton's next game is at home to Arlesey Town in the second round of the Beds Senior Cup on Tuesday 27th January, kick off 7:45pm.

Potters Bar Town

Team- Underwood, Rispon, Bennett, Friend, Woolridge, Bowditch, Penny, Doyle, Hutchinson, Hatherly, Oyinsan

Subs- Bello- Balogan, Sullivan, Atkinson

Leighton Town

Team- Oualah, Bunker, Ridgway, Crook, Murphy, Taylor, Lester, Farmer, B.Lobjoit, Watson, Draycott

Subs- L.Lobjoit, Green, M.Lyon, Morgan, Goodman 

Attendance- 70

By Hannah Sellman 

Rams and Leighton both score late to share the points

Beaconsfield SYCOB 2-2 Leighton Town FC

Going into the game it was clear that Leighton could win all 3 points. They certainly needed them to get a good run for the start of the new year. 

Team morale was high when the referee blew his whistle to get the game underway and Leighton started the game brightly. By putting pressure on Beaconsfield defence Leighton were starting to take the upper hand. 

6 minutes in Mark Bunker did well to get past his opponent and get a good cross in, only for the keeper to attempt to claim it,  however he dropped the ball and with no one to follow it up it was a wasted chance for Leighton. 

Beaconsfield came close to scoring against the run of play in the 10th minute when Aaron Berry curled the ball just past the post. 

Leighton's Billy Lobjoit felt he deserved a penalty in the 22nd minute when he was taken down harshly in the box, but the referee didn't bat an eyelid and play continued. 

The first corner of the game was awarded to Leighton more than half way through the second half but Phil Draycott's kick was easily punched away by Sam Bunting.

Romaine Walker played a good play through to Kofi Lockhart-Adams in the 34th minute, with only Bunker chasing him he managed to keep his cool and slot the ball calmly past Dan Green, putting Beaconsfield 1-0 up.

Leighton made two substitutions at half time brining off Paul and Michael Lyon for Tyrone Taylor and Ash Farmer. 

A goal from the whistle saw Leighton draw level with Beaconsfield. Draycott crossed the ball to find the head of Billy Lobjoit who headed it home.

The 54th minute saw a goal mouth scramble for Leighton with Taylor's shot blocked by the legs of Beaconsfield's defence and the ball bounces off the post to deny Leighton the lead. 

A great push over the bar by Green in the 69th minute stopped Lockhart-Adams from earning his brace of the game and only moments later Green denied Jordan Ajanlekoko of a goal, pushing the ball away for a corner. 

Gary Ridgway was shown a yellow card in the 76th minute. Leighton's final substitution saw an injured Robbie Goodman replaced with Chris Crook. 

Leighton managed to take the lead in the 85th minute when a pinpoint cross from Taylor found Danny Watson and he lobed the ball over the keeper into the net. 

The joy of the goal was short lived however when minutes later Green took down Elliot Carey in the box. Lockhart-Adams stepped up to the penalty spot and played the ball past the fingertips of Green into the net. 

A last ditch attempt to score by Draycott in injury time was stopped by Tom Gant, making it 2-2 at the end of the game.

Leighton's next game is away to Hanwell Town on Saturday 17th January, kick off 3pm.

Leighton Town FC

Team- Green, Bunker, Ridgway, Goodman, Murphy, P. Lyon, Lester, M. Lyon, B. Lobjoit, Watson, Draycott

Subs- Garcia, Crook, Taylor, Farmer, Morgan

Beaconsfield SYCOB

Team- Bunting, Gant, Carby, Ajanlekoko, Murray, Brooks, Walker, Togwell, Berry, Jones, Lockhart-Adams

Subs- Martin, Carey, Patrick, Kelynack, Vincente 

Attendance- 72 

By Hannah Sellman & Hugh Sullivan 

Leighton lose at home to Uxbridge second half double

Leighton Town FC 0-2 Uxbridge FC

With 3 first teamers unavailable due to suspension and injury, Craig Bicknell still managed to field a strong squad going into the game against Uxbridge. 

Uxbridge had their first corner of the game 5 minutes in, but Dave Murphy cleared the ball away with his head stopping what could have been a potential shot.

Moments later Leighton's first on target shot of the game by Claude Senla was flagged offside by the lino. 

Appeals were heard for hand ball by Uxbridge in the 15th minute when Robbie Goodman was taken down by Kevin Warner, but the referee dismissed the idea and showed Warner a yellow card for the tackle. 

A chance for Leighton to take the lead came when Paul McCarthy dropped a ball from Gary Ridgway. Billy Lobjoit powered towards McCarthy but he got the ball under control before he reached him.

Halfway through the first half and a great block by Chris Crook denied Lewis Cole from scoring. Leon Lobjoit was shown a yellow card in the 28th minute after a coming together with earlier booked Warner.

Uxbridge made the decision to substitute in the 31st minute bringing off Warner for Danny Julienne, encase of another yellow card. However only 9 minutes later Julienne was booked. 

A throw from Ridgway unleashed the skill of Senla just before half time, beating two players and playing a low ball in, the ball bobbled across the goal with nobody to tap it across the line.

Goodman managed to chase down Matt Woods causing him to panic before shooting and stopped what could have been a goal just before half time.  

Going into the second half Ridgway had a shot for Leighton but McCarthy had it covered, diving to his left to stop the ball.

A miss-kicked pass by Billy Lobjoit luckily bounced to the feet of Christian Lester in the 55th minute, he hesitated before shooting but managed to win Leighton a corner. 

Cole was shown a yellow card for taking down Crook and only seconds later, Crook was shown a yellow for a supposed bad tackle on Cole, who walked away from the incident uninjured. 

Leighton made their first substitution in the 59th minute brining off Leon Lobjoit for Phil Draycott. 

A corner by Draycott saw McCarthy palm the ball away from Lester's header in the 64th minute and it wasn't long before Leighton's untaken chances cost them the game.

Woods charged towards Dan Green after Leighton's corner, sent him off balance and slotted the ball into the back of the net, making it 1-0 to Uxbridge. 

Leighton made their second substitution with 20 minutes to go bringing off Paul Lyon for Michael Lyon. 

Uxbridge's second goal came in the 77th minute. Once again Green was out of goal, Murphy covered his position but could only play the ball straight back to the feet of Chris Moore, who put Uxbridge 2-0 up. 

Crook was brought off for Aaron Morgan shortly after the goal. Lester was shown a silly yellow card 3 minutes from the end for kicking the ball away and Michael Lyon was also shown a yellow in stoppage time for foul play. 

Leighton's next game is away to North Greenford United on Saturday 10th January, kick off 3pm. 

Uxbridge FC

Team- McCarthy, Christopher, Wambeek, Thomas, Dennison, Carter, Warner, Cole, Woods, Moore, Groves

Subs- Bates, Pickford, Julienne, Tomkins, Wiseman

Leighton Town FC

Team- Green, Rajaram, Ridgway, Goodman, Murphy, P. Lyon, Crook, B. Lobjoit, L. Lobjoit, Senla, Lester

Subs- Draycott, Morgan, M. Lyon, Flux, Farmer 

Attendance- 75

By Hannah Sellman 

Bad start to the New Year for Leighton

Chalfont St. Peter 1-0 Leighton Town FC

Kick off was delayed for 10 minutes due to one of the officials falling ill but with a replacement found Chalfont kicked off the first half looking for an early goal. 

Daniel Ailey took his chances 2 minutes in, but thankfully Gary Ridgway managed to close him down and the ball went well over the bar.

A good cross from Danny Watson in the 13th minute was too high for Leon Lobjoit to get a head on it and was cleared away by Chalfont's defence.

The 17th minute saw the first corner of the game for Chalfont Aaron Louth stepped up, swung the ball into the box but Robbie Goodman powerfully cleared the ball away with his head.

Leighton came close to edging into the lead in the 27th minute with a free kick taken by Phil Draycott. Mike McEntegart didn't call for the ball and left Liam Fowler to head the ball off the line twice. 

Ailey had a clear run through Leighton's defence in the 30th minute but his shot was off target going wide of the post much to everyones relief. 

The 38th minute saw the ball in by Glenn Yala, which found the head of Goodman, who headed it into his own net, putting Chalfont 1-0 in front.

Leighton made their first substitution at half time bringing off Billy Lobjoit for Paul Lyon. 

A good strike by Remmel Clarke saw Dan Green have to make the first real save of the game in the 55th minute. 

A second substitution for Leighton saw Warren Garcia replaced with Ash Farmer. Farmer played a fabulous low cross to Watson but he rushed his shot and the ball went wide. 

Ridgway received the only yellow card of the game in the 72nd minute. Leighton made their third and final substitution in the 77th minute bringing on Aaron Morgan for Michael Lyon. 

The 84th minute saw Watson head the ball down to Leon Lobjoit, his shot was powerful but McEntegart managed to push the ball away to the feet of Fowler. 

The last minutes of the game saw Fowler have a free header towards goal but it went over the bar and luckily Dave Murphy cleared the ball of the line in the 90th minute to deny Chalfont of a second goal.

Leighton's next game is at home on Saturday 3rd January against Marlow, kick off 3pm.

Chalfont St. Peter

Team- McEntegart, Grayley, Louth, Fowler, Paxton, Paine, Yalia, Stead, Lansiquot, Ailey, Clarke

Subs- Valchev, Pearce, Benmadani, Stephenson 

Leighton Town FC

Team- Green, Crook, Ridgway, Goodman, Murphy, Garcia, M. Lyon, B. Lobjoit, L. Lobjoit, Watson, Draycott

Subs- P. Lyon, Halai, Farmer, Morgan, Irving 

Attendance- 65

By Hannah Sellman