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