10 men Royston run rings around Leighton

Leighton Town FC 1-4 Royston Town FC 

With the sun shining down on Bell Close for the last home game of the season, Leighton hoped to continue their success from previous weeks. 

They faced Royston, who are currently sit in a play off position and it always going to be tough, but Craig Bicknell was ready with his team to face the challenge to try and get another 3 points on the board.

Leighton kicked off but Michael Lyon soon gave Royston possession, when he took down Ryan Ingrey. Luckily Zaki Oualah caught the ball well from the the free kick.

Danny Watson went one on one with Ron Yates in the the 5th minute but he couldn't beat him and instead kicked it straight at him. Leighton had the first corner of the game but it was short lived because Royston were awarded a free kick for pushing in the box.

An unusual scramble for the ball took place between Oualah and Fejiri Okenabirhie and it looked like the ball was handled and shouts were heard but the referee took no notice and the game continued.

It was clear that Oualah had an injury to his calf in the 17th minute, as Robbie Goodman stepped up to take a goal kick for him. However Oualah wasn't subbed off due to his injury and carried on as best as he could.

Royston earned a free kick in the 22nd minute, once again due to Lyon being careless. Steve Bridges stepped up to take the kick, he powered it into the box to find the free head of Liam McDevitt  who put Royston 1-0 up.

A great save by Oualah stopped Royston from extending their lead in the 34th minute and only a minute later Watson was taken down in the box and Royston were reduced to 10 men.

Chris Watters was shown a red card and a penalty was awarded to Leighton. Watson stepped up to take the spot kick and slotted it right into the corner of the net, drawing Leighton level.

Goodman went down injured in the 38th minute and with a player missing in defence Oualah managed to stop Bridges's shot brilliantly. Leighton made their first substitution bringing off Goodman for Odunayo Oke.

The second half underway and with it all square, Ash Farmer fancied his chances at goal, but Yates managed to stop the shot with his feet. 

Yet again Royston scored from another set piece and free header in the 50th minute. Bridges delivered the ball into the box and found the head of Gary Hart who put Royston into the lead. 

As if two goals weren't enough for Royston they went and got their third only 2 minutes later. Hart sent an unstoppable shot towards Oualah and it bounced off the bar and into the net, leaving every one shell shocked at the strike.

Things only got worse for Leighton as Royston went and got their fourth goal from a set piece. The free kick was taken by Scott Bridges and he found, once again a free head in the box this time it was Ingrey. Oualah got a hand to the ball but it wasn't enough to push it away, making it 4-1 to Royston.

Leighton made their second substitution in the 61st minute bringing off Farmer for Anthony Ottaway. Some good play by Aaron Morgan and Oke allowed Watson to take a shot at goal but he could only sky it over the bar.

Morgan had a chance to pull a goal back in the 80th minute, when he went one on one with Yates, but he tried to walk the ball into the net and even though Yates mishandled the ball wasn't able to convert it. 

Two well deserved yellow cards (one each) were shown to Royston's Spyros Mentis and Hart after persistently committing fouls. Leighton tried to convert their short corner into a goal in the 83rd minute but Mark Bunker put it over the bar.

Lyon was shown a yellow card for tripping up Mentis in the 85th minute and he was shortly replaced by Harvey-Bailey Irving as Leighton's final substitution.

Royston continued to outrun Leighton and managed to have three shots in injury time. The first came from Ingrey which Oualah dived to save but the shot was wide.

Next up was substitute Khan Fehmi and Oualah managed to save and convert the ball out for a corner and then Hart headed the ball just wide of the post before the final whistle blew.

Leighton's next game is away to Egham on Saturday 18th April, kick off 3pm.

Royston Town FC

Team- Yates, Wharton, Watters, Bridges, McDevitt, Powell, Mentis, Bridges, Okenabirhie, Hart, Ingrey

     

Subs- Scott-Morris, Bradshaw, Fehmi, Theobald, Nightingale

Leighton Town FC

Team- Oualah, Lyon, Ridgway, Goodman, Rajaram, Taylor, Crook, Bunker, Morgan, Watson, Farmer

Subs- Murphy, Fitzjohn, Ottaway, Irving, Oke 

Attendance- 84 

By Hannah Sellman 

Leighton rack up four points over the Bank Holiday weekend

Leighton Town FC 1-1 Chalfont St. Peter

Bank holiday blues for Leighton as they were unable to continue their winning ways against Chalfont, who currently sit 16th in the league.

Chalfont kicked off but it was Leighton who had the first corner of the game in the 2nd minute, unfortunately  Billy Lobjoit was unable to get the ball past the first man.

However Leighton certainly tried to hammer the ball home in the first few minutes after the unsuccessful corner. First Mark Bunker and then Lobjoit, both from Chalfont deflection, but they could only find Mikey Pearce's hands. 

Leighton tried to keep the ball alive after they got their second corner of the game in the 16th minute, but they couldn't find a way to cross it back into the box.

A well taken free kick by Aaron Morgan in the 28th minute saw Pearce have to punch the ball away, but only as far as Lobjoit, who struck it first time and came close to putting Leighton into the lead. 

Robbie Goodman played the ball to Danny Watson in the 31st minute and he managed to take on Chalfont's defence and slot the ball into the left hand corner of the net putting, Leighton 1-0 up. 

Only a minute later it looked like Leighton would get their second of the game. Tyrone Taylor headed the ball down from a free kick to Gary Ridgway and he hit the ball with immense power. Adam Pepera felt the full force of his shot but managed to keep it from reaching Pearce. 

Chalfont had a corner in the 36th minute and with no one marking Anthony Mendy he was free to head the ball, only to thankfully hit the side netting. But it wasn't too long after that, that Chalfont did find the back of the net with a rather scrappy goal. 

In the 40th minute Luke Brook-Smith stepped up to take a corner and with the ball being deflected to Pepera who placed it into the back of the net, making it 1-1 going into half time.

With the second half under way Zaki Oualah made an easy save from Brook-Smith's free kick shot. Leighton made their first substitution bringing off Ash Farmer for Anthony Ottaway.

Remmel Clarke denied Leighton of a second goal in the 54th minute, when he cleared the ball off the line. Ottaway managed to play the ball through to Watson after a great run, Watson maintained possession of the ball and went for goal but the ball found the side netting.

Chalfont came close to getting a second in the 73rd minute when Mendy struck the post with his powerful shot and it thankfully ricocheted out for a goal kick. Pearce made a fabulous save in the 84th minute when Lobjoit took his chances and went for goal and managed to win a corner for Leighton.

Leighton made their second substitution in the 85th minute brining off Ridgway for Alvin Rajaram. Another close call for Leighton for an all important second goal came when Morgan played the ball to Bunker and it went straight across the goal only needing a touch to go over the line.

A final substitution for Leighton saw Harvey- Bailey Irving replace Michael Lyon. A free kick was awarded when Irving pulled down Asen Valchan in the 90th minute but Rajaram was in the box to clear the ball away.

Chalfont had a last ditch attempt at goal in injury time when Glenn Yala put a cross in to hopefully find Clarke, but instead Robbie Goodman was there and cleared the ball down the pitch before the final whistle blew.

Leighton next game is at home to Royston on Saturday 11th April, kick off 3pm.  

Chalfont St. Peter

Team- Pearce, Brook-Smith, Yala, Paxton, Pepera, Hedley, Hudson, Stead, Clarke, Mendy, Louth

Subs- Valchan, Butcher, Fonge, Silcolt, Benmadani

Leighton Town FC

Team- Oualah, Bunker, Ridgway, Goodman, Crook, Taylor, Morgan, Lyon, Lobjoit, Watson, Farmer

Subs- Irving, Fitzjohn, Sopa, Ottaway, Rajaram

Attendance- 70 

By Hannah Sellman 

Two first half goals seal the deal for Leighton

Leighton Town FC 2-1 Daventry Town FC

It was another busy week for Craig Bicknell as he signed four new players to boast Leighton's numbers and with two new faces starting it wasn't long before the ball found the back of the net.

Daventry kicked off exactly on the hour and 11 minutes into the first half Leighton were awarded the first corner of the game. 

With the ball landing in the box it was a scrap between the two teams to get it under control but Michael Mundy managed to tap it across the line and put Leighton into the lead. 

Only a minute later Billy Lobjoit had a clear run at goal. His shot was pushed aside by Ronnie Carroll but fell to the feet of Mundy, who got his second of the game.  

Leighton had another couple of chances at goal, with Odunayo Oke's strike going just wide of the post and Ash Farmer's cross just needing an extra touch to cross the line. 

In the 26th minute Daventry managed to pull a goal back. Ricky Hill produced a long throw and as Zaki Oualah tried to punch the ball away Aaron King managed to get in the way and find the back of the net, making it 2-1.

Play was stopped in the 30th minute when Gary Ridgway sustained a knock to the nose and needed treatment. Penalty appeals were heard in the 38th minute when Ridgway was taken down badly in the box and needed treatment again this time for his shoulder. 

Leighton had a chance just before the half time whistle to get a third goal when Mark Bunker curved the ball in from a corner to find the head of Tyrone Taylor but he headed the ball over the bar. 

Mundy tried to get his hat-trick of the game when Farmer played him through but although his shot was powerful it was caught well by Carroll. 

Leighton made their first substitution during half time bringing off an injured Ridgway for Dave Murphy. With the second half underway Leighton came out fighting for another goal to inch even further ahead of Daventry and Lobjoit came close but went wide in the 46th minute. 

A silly handball by Robbie Goodman in the 55th minute saw Daventry awarded a free kick just outside the box but luckily it hit the wall. 

The 59th minute saw the game once again stopped for a head injury this time Alvin Rajaram and Daventry's James Weale who had sliced his eyebrow open and was replaced quickly with Harry Southern. 

Leighton made their second substitution bringing off Oke for Dale Turney. A great one handed save by Oualah in the 65th minute denied Daventry of an equaliser. Taylor's powerful shot in the 70th minute tested Carroll's quick reactions and he held the ball firmly. 

A final substitution was made for Leighton in the 76th minute brining of goal scorer Mundy for Anthony Ottaway. 

Ottaway played a lovely ball through to Bunker in the 81st minute, he hit the ball with power and Carroll only just managed to push it over the bar for a corner. 

Turney received a yellow card in the 88th minute for kicking the ball away after the referee had blown up for a Daventry free kick. Leighton had a last minute corner to try and make it 3-1 but it wasn't to be and it finished 2-1.

Leighton's next game is on Saturday 4th April away to Godalming, kick off 3pm. 

Daventry Town FC

Team- Carroll, Deeney, Hancocks, S.King, Hill, Henderson, Weale, Howell, Tricks, A.King, O'Connor

Subs- Kiembi, Musvnga, Zidyana, Southern, Fuller

Leighton Town FC

Team- Oualah, Bunker, Ridgway, Goodman, Rajaram, Taylor, Morgan, Oke, Mundy, Lobjoit, Farmer

Subs- Murphy, Ottaway, Irving, Turney, Sopa 

Attendance- 100

By Hannah Sellman  

Valuable point keeps Leighton afloat

Leighton Town FC 1-1 Aylesbury FC

With rumours that Aylesbury had several players out due to injury, it looked like Leighton might have the upper hand going into the game with a full squad. 

Leighton had an early chance but Danny Watson's header went just wide of the post and it wasn't long before Aylesbury took the reins. 

They had a chance just minutes later, but the ball bobbled up in front of Bradley Wadkins and Zaki Oualah was there to catch it. 

Michael Lyon did well to win the ball from Lynton Goss in the 12th minute and once again Leighton came close but when the ball fell to the feet of Billy Lobjoit he skied it over the bar. 

Finally after numerous chances Leighton put the ball into the back of the net, when Mark Bunker caught James Weatherill off his line and lobbed the ball over his head, making it 1-0 with 20 minutes on the clock.

Good fortune for Leighton didn't last long however as Aylesbury equalised only 16 minutes later. Wadkins managed work round Alvin Rajaram to hit a low powerful shot that Oulalah couldn't quite reach.

Aylesbury had their first corner in the 42 minute and Oulalah did well to punch the ball clear for Tyrone Taylor to boot it down the pitch.

With the second half underway and not much action to write home about, the game became quite scrappy and un-entertaining. 

The first real action happened in the 60th minute when Aylesbury's Aston Goss (ex-Leighton player) hassled Lobjoit and had a clear run towards goal, he struck the ball hard but Oulalah gathered it with ease. 

Leighton made two late substitution's one in the 80th minute, Ash Farmer replacing goal scorer Bunker and the second in he 82nd minute when Phil Draycott made way for Claude Senla. 

With 90 minutes on the clock substitute Gareth Price played the ball straight across goal, some confusion between Rajaram and Oualah could have allowed a goal to be scored but thankfully Oualah managed to keep the ball under control.

Leighton's next game is on Saturday 21st March away to St Ives Town, kick off 3pm.

Aylesbury FC

Team- Weatherill, A. Goss, Murphy, D. Haule, Anthony, Prosper, O' Toole, Deeney, B. Haule, Wadkins, L. Goss

Subs- Price, Jackson, McLachlan, Bateman, Logie

Leighton Town FC

Team- Oualah, M. Lyon, Ridgway, Goodman, Rajaram, Crook, Taylor, Bunker, B. Lobjoit, Watson, Draycott

Subs- Murphy, Forrester, Morgan, Farmer, Senla 

Attendance- 91

By Hannah Sellman 

Leighton's winning ways halted against high flying Bedworth

Leighton Town FC 0-2 Bedworth United

With two wins under their belt, Leighton went into the game with their heads held high. However with Bedworth currently sat second in the table it wasn't going to be a walk in the park for Leighton.

Bedworth kicked off and Leighton worked well to win the ball back. They had their first chance of scoring when Christian Lester played the ball straight across the goal and past the post 5 minutes in. 

It wasn't long before Tyrone Taylor tested out his long throw's on Denham Hinds. With the ball reaching the box Hinds came for it only to collide with Lester allowing the ball to fall for Phil Draycott who skied it over the bar. 

Alex Naughton's game was short lived for Bedworth when he hobbled off the pitch with an ankle injury in the 25th minute.

With Bedworth down to 10 men it seemed to confuse Leighton and they were sleeping at the back. Daniel Creaney made his way past Taylor and slotted the ball into the back of the net, making it 1-0 to Bedworth.

Lester had a chance to equalise but his shot was more like a pass back into the hands of Hinds. Leighton were lucky not to go 2-0 down in the 42nd minute, when Daniel Dubidat walked all over Leighton's defence, but he miss kicked his shot and Zaki Oualah gathered it with ease. 

With only seconds before half time it was handbags at dawn and the game became out of hand, with punches being thrown. After a discussion took place between the officials it was decided that Draycott and Peter Folkes would receive yellow cards.

The game restarted and straight away Aaron Morgan was fouled by Ben Steane who was shown a yellow card. It was far from over for the yellow cards when right before the half time whistle Alvin Rajaram was added to the book for kicking the ball away. 

With the second half finally underway, Bedworth were keen to get the ball past Oualah again and came close twice in two minutes with both shot being taken by Creaney.

The yellow card appeared yet again for Leighton, this time for Michael Lyon in the 51st minute. Leighton's first substitution saw Claude Senla come on for Ash Farmer. 

Bedworth managed to earn themselves a corner in the 58th minute and they didn't disappoint. With no one on the back post and Oualah no where to be seen, Dubidat put the ball in the net. 

Danny Watson received a yellow card in the 61st minute for not keeping his mouth shut when he was told to. Rajaram picked up an injury only moments later and Chris Crook took his place. 

A cracking pass by Taylor found an unmarked Watson but he hesitated, losing the ball. But luckily Lyon was there to win the ball back and earned himself a free kick. 

After only being on the pitch for seven minutes Crook received a yellow card for pulling back a player. A great save by Oualah denied Dubidat a brace and what could have been a third goal for Bedworth.

With 4 bookings already it was no surprise when the referee reached into his pocket to show Lester a yellow card in the 74th minute. Leighton's final substitution saw Aaron Morgan replaced with Remy Forrester. 

Lyon hit the woodwork in the 77th minute and it wasn't long before Watson came close but his shot was just wide and he hit the post. A last minute save by Oualah yet again denied Dubidat of a goal.

This result and the fact that Beaconsfield beat Barton 4-2 today, see's Leighton slip down to 20th in the league table.

Leighton's next game is away to Kettering on Tuesday 3rd March, kick off 7:45pm. 

Bedworth United

Team- Hinds, Ashmore, Rowe, Creaney, Westwood, Tullin, Folkes, Steane, Naughton, Dubidat, Degville-Cross

Subs- Cartwright, Blenkinsopp, Robinson, Donovan

Leighton Town

Team- Oualah, M. Lyon, Ridgway, Goodman, Rajaram, Taylor, Farmer, Morgan, Lester, Watson, Draycott

Subs- Senla, Green, Crook, Flux, Forrester 

Attendance- 102

By Hannah Sellman 

Leighton slip to 20th in the league

Leighton Town FC 1-3 Rugby Town FC

Leighton played Rugby back in November and lost the game in the 65th minute, when Christian Lester gave away a penalty. It was time for Leighton to get their revenge and with Rugby sat 4th in the league it was never going to be easy.

Leighton kicked off looking stronger than they did midweek, with Billy Lobjoit back and a few players in different positions. 

It was Rugby who could have taken the lead in the 3rd minute however, when Richard Gregory struck the ball, from what looked like an offside position, but the flag stayed down and Zaki Oualah came for the ball.

Oualah then had to make 3 consecutive saves to stop Rugby from getting that early lead. Leighton had their first corner in the 14th minute but it mounted to nothing.

Mason Rowley stuck his foot out, tripping up Phil Draycott who was charging towards the box and received a yellow card. Lobjoit stepped up to take the free kick and went for a shot, which was well wide.

Shouts for a penalty were heard for Rugby's Gregory in the 24th minute but play continued without question. With no penalty given Leighton charged to the other end of the pitch and finally managed to put the ball in the back of the net.

Lester made a great cross to find the feet of Danny Watson in the box and he calmly worked his way round Richard Morris, who made a grab for the ball but failed to hold it, allowing Watson to slot it into the net, putting Leighton into the lead, 1-0.

Gregory came close for Rugby again when Oualah managed to grab the ball before it crossed the line in the 38th minute. It looked like Leighton were going to go 2-0 up just before half time, when the ball fell for Draycott, but he welted the ball over the bar. 

Mark Bunker received a yellow card in the 51st minute when he brought down ex-Leighton player Lewis McBride. The 54th minute saw Justin Marsden make way for Seb Lake-Gaskin and straight away the pace of the game picked up.

An unstoppable 18 yard shot from Sam Youngs, drew Rugby level in the 55th minute and only 2 minutes later, after Lester received a yellow card, Robbie Burns made it 2-1 when a low shot from Youngs was parried.

Leighton made their first substation bringing off Gary Ridgway and welcoming back Alvin Rajaram onto the pitch after his knee operation. 

Rugby received a free kick just outside the box in the 60th minute after Michael Lyon committed a foul and was shown a yellow card. 

Rajaram had a great shot but was denied a goal by Morris's hand and cleared quickly but Alex Gudger. Play was paused in the 64th minute when the oppositions supporters decided to throw an unravelled toilet roll onto the pitch to distract Oualah. 

The 74th minute sealed the deal for Rugby when Oualah made a grab for the ball but couldn't reach it and allowed Gregory to run past him and squeeze the ball into the net at an angle, making it 3-1. 

Leighton made their second substitution brining off Tyrone Taylor for Claude Senla. Rugby kept firing the ball at Oualah hoping he'd make a mistake but he stood strong, saving shots from Ben George and Lake-Gaskin with ease. 

A final substitution for Leighton saw Lester replaced with Ash Farmer. Substitute Fazil Koriya tried to lob the ball over Oualah 6 minutes before the end of the game, but thankfully he was off target. A head injury for Leighton's Bunker saw play stopped momentarily so he could be treated.

Lobjoit was shown a yellow card in injury time for kicking the ball away, after Rugby were awarded a free kick from the foul he committed. A last ditch attempt for Leighton came when they won themselves a corner just before the final whistle but once again the ball was cleared well by Ruby's defence.

Leighton's next game is away to North Greenford (weather permitting) on Tuesday 17th February, kick off 7:45pm. 

Rugby Town FC 

Team- Morris, Grocott, George, Rowley, Gudger, Burns, McBride, Blythe, Gregory, Marsden, Youngs

Subs- Rankin, Banks, Lake-Gaskin, Piggon, Koriya

Leighton Town FC 

Team- Oualah, M. Lyon, Ridgway, Crook, Murphy, Taylor, Bunker, Lobjoit, Lester, Watson, Draycott

Subs- Farmer, Goodman, Senla, Rajaram, Morgan

Attendance- 132

By Hannah Sellman 

Bottom of the table battle ends in a draw

Leighton Town FC 1-1 Beaconsfield SYCOB

With the weather finally in everyone's favour, although bitterly cold, the battle to stay 19th in the league kicked off between the two teams. 

Beaconsfield had their first shot 6 minutes in when Victor Osobu came close to putting them in the lead. 

Zaki Oualah managed to send Osobu off balance in the 12th minute and with the goal open, Michael Lyon had to clear the ball of the line. 

Osobu finally got his goal in the 14th minute, when Mark Bunker watched him pass and shoot the ball into the bottom corner of the net, making it 1-0. 

It looked liked Leighton had equalised only a minute later, with the ball seeming to cross the line before it was cleared by Beaconsfield defence, but no goal was given. 

Leighton won a free kick when Billy Lobjoit was obstructed on his way towards goal. Lobjoit stepped up to play the ball and found Danny Watson in the box, who's shot was blocked by Brendan Hazlett's foot to deny him a goal. 

Beaconsfield came close to extending their lead when Aaron Berry struck the ball with power, hitting the post and then Oualah before going out for a corner.

Another clearance off the line, this time by Chris Crook, in the 39th minute stopped Beaconsfield from scoring yet again. 

Some good defending by Robbie Goodman stopped Berry and Osobu in their tracks before they had chance to reach the box, just before the half time whistle.

Leighton kicked off the second half but it was Beaconsfield who picked up where they left off, with a good cross from Osobu to find Berry but his shot went right across the goal with no one to tap it in.

The 54th minute saw Crook receive a yellow card for supposedly clattering into Ollie Jones. Leighton made their first substitution moments later bringing off Goodman for Aaron Morgan. 

Some great passing by Tryone Taylor, Lobjoit and Bunker looked like they were setting Leighton up for a goal but they earned themselves a well deserved corner instead.

A second substitution for Leighton saw Michael Lyon make way for Claude Senla. 75 minutes in Lester was taken down in the box, however appeals for a penalty were quickly dismissed by the referee.

Things got heated when Osobu crashed to the ground and Bunker was shown a yellow card as was Romaine Walker. 

Finally in the 80th minute Lobjoit played a fabulous ball into Watson, who headed it across the goal to oncoming Morgan and he nipped the ball across the line, making it 1-1. 

With 4 minutes injury time to play, Crook made a vital clearance when substitute Ashley Kelynach fancied his chance at goal. 

Osobu was completely unmarked and had an open goal but he panicked and his shot went wide. It didn't end there for Beaconsfield either as Jones had a chance to score just before the final whistle, but he skied the ball over the bar. 

Leighton's next game is at home to Marlow on Tuesday 10th February, kick off 7:45pm. 

Beaconsfield SYCOB

Team- Hazlett, Murray, Walker, Guramishvilli, Flegg, Togwell, Ajanzekoko, Carey, Berry, Osobu, Jones

Subs- Gant, Bunting, Martin, Patrick, Kelynach

Leighton Town FC 

Team- Oualah, Bunker, Ridgway, Goodman, Murphy, Crook, Taylor, M. Lyon, Lester, Watson, Lobjoit

Subs- Morgan, Green, Senla, P. Lyon, Forrester 

Attendance- 72

By Hannah Sellman 

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 

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