Trophy dream falls flat for Leighton

Leighton Town FC 2-5 Leiston FC

A game with 7 goals, 3 of which were penalties, was enough to finish off Leighton's journey to Wembley. 

Leighton started strong with Mark Bunker winning a free kick with 3 minutes on the clock, but the body of Stuart Boardley defended the good strike by Michael Lyon easily. 

Dave Murphy came close again for Leighton when Phil Draycott played in the ball from yet another free kick but it went just wide of the post. 

7 minutes in and Danny Watson spotted Danny Gay off his line, he ran towards him, sending him off balance and walked the ball into the net putting Leighton into a 1-0 lead. 

The lead was short lived when in the 9th minute Chris Crook was unable to stop Leon Ottley-Gooch's shot and Leiston drew level.
Dan Green made a silly mistake trying to kick the ball down the field and Conor Hubble took advantage of his mistake sending the ball flying into the net, putting them 2-1 up after 13 minutes.

Leighton tried to claw another goal back quickly, Bunker crossed the ball into the box and found the head of Alvin Rajaram, but the ball went straight into Gay's hands. 

Leighton continued to close down the ball and when Watson headed the ball straight to Draycott's feet, it looked like they were in for a goal, but the ball skimmed just over the bar.

34 minutes in and Green made a brilliant diving save to deny Leiston of a goal but all his hard work was undone when he went to stop Joe Francis in his tacks and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. 

Gareth Heath stepped up to the spot, Green dived the correct way but Heath's shot was low and hard finding the back of the net easily. A foul was committed on Rajaram just before halt time, resulting in a yellow card for Boardley. 

With the second half underway it wasn't long before Leiston were pushing for another goal. A shot from Ottley-Gooch was pushed over the bar and out for a corner by Green. 

Handball by Bunker straight from the corner was given by the referee and Heath once again was on hand to send the ball into the corner of the net, this time sending Green the wrong way, making it 4-1 to Leiston after 48 minutes.

A double substitution for Leighton took place in the 55th minute bringing off Bunker and Michael Lyon, for Ash Farmer and Aaron Morgan. 

A good ball in by Draycott found the fresh legs of Farmer, he struck the ball and it curved towards Gay and but was easily saved. A vital move by Crook stopped Joe Francis in his tracks towards goal saving what could have been a potential 5th goal for Leiston.

Leighton made their final substitution in the 64th minute bringing off Gary Ridgway for Paul Lyon. 

71 minutes in and it looked like Draycott had scored from a free kick but the ball had fallen just wide of the post and landed in the side netting. With Leiston 4-1 up it didn't get any better for Leighton when Rajaram was shown a yellow card. 

Leighton were awarded a free kick for hand ball in the 80th minute and Draycott's shot was pushed just over the bar by Gay.
Leighton were left stranded in the 82nd minute when Tom Winter was completely unmarked and his beautifully struck ball went straight into the back of the net, making it 5-1 to Leiston. 

With only 4 minutes remaining Rajaram managed to win a penalty in the box for Leighton, Blake Saker was shown his second yellow card of the game and was sent off the pitch. Watson stepped up to the ball sending his shot low and hard into the back of the net.

A last ditch attempt for just one more goal came from a Morgan cross into Watson but he could only hit the side netting, leaving the game to end 5-2 to Leiston.

We wish Leiston the best of luck in the next round and for the rest of the season.

Leightons next game is at home to Barton Rovers on Saturday 8th November, kick off 3pm.

Leiston FC

Team- Gay, Saker, Boardley, Mitchell, Jefford, Tann, Winter, Heath, Ottley-Gouch, Hubble, Francis

Subs- Merritt, Velzian, Block, Rossis

Leighton Town FC


Team- Green, Rajaram, Ridgway, Goodman, Crook, Murphy, Bunker, M. Lyon, Taylor, Watson, Draycott

Subs- P. Lyon, Morgan, Farmer, Halia, Thompkins

Attendance-90

By Hannah Sellman

Leighton bring Leiston home

Leiston FC 2-2 Leighton Town FC

Leighton looked thin on the ground with only one main substitute on the bench, but Craig Bicknell managed to field a decent team nevertheless.

Leiston kicked off but were soon dispossessed by Leighton. Danny Watson managed to find his wingman Phil Draycott who took Danny Gay by surprise, when he fired the ball at him, he misjudged the powerful kick and the ball flew into the net, putting Leighton 1-0 with only 40 seconds on the clock.

A timely interception by Scott Mitchell saw Watsons ball to Mark Bunker cleared before any real damage could be done. A brilliant tackle by Alvin Rajaram in the 12th minute was deemed dangerous by the official running the line and was shown a yellow card.

Stuart Broadley took the awarded free kick and Dan Green made a super save. Leighton could have been 2-0 up with only 15 minutes gone but the flag was up for offside as Bunker popped the ball into the net.

A foul on Rajaram saw Leighton win a free kick and Gay had to make a diving save to stop Draycotts' ball from crossing the line, but it wasn't long before a second goal came for Leighton.

A Tyrone Taylor header saw the ball go straight into the back of the net, putting Leighton into a 2-0 lead. Robbie Goodman received a yellow for Leighton in the 27th minute.

29 minutes in and Michael Lyon was given enough space to run wild, he managed to slow down and cross the ball to Watson but his shot was just wide.

Miscommunication between Green and Chris Crook saw a dangerous lob from Tom Winter in the 43rd minute thankfully the ball slid over the bar.

Leighton kicked off the second half and earn themselves a free kick in the 48th minute. The ball was cleared off the line and fell straight to Bunker but his shot curved wide.

A corner for Leiston saw a good header away by Dave Murphy but Joe Francis was able to steal the ball back and have a shot at goal, luckily Green was alert and saved the strike.

The 63rd minute saw Leiston pull back a goal, when Goodman handled the ball just outside the box. Conor Hubble stepped up to take the free kick, Green managed to save but not hold the ball and it fell for Scott Mitchell who made it 2-1.

An awful tackle on Watson saw all three of the officials onto the pitch to calm down the situation. Joe Jefford received a yellow card for the studs up challenge on Watson, but then to everyones amazement Watson was also shown a yellow as was Bunker for retaliating.

The 78th minute saw Gareth Heath get that all-important second goal for Leiston to draw level. He fired the ball low and hard into the back of the net; leaving Leighton sprawled on the floor.

A great stop by Gay denied Draycott of a goal and the tables soon changed, as it was Leon Ottley-Gooch who charged towards goal with his shot only just clearing the bar.

2 minutes remained and Leighton made their one and only substitution brining on Ash Farmer for Bunker.

A last ditch attempt for Leighton to win came in injury time when Lyon played the ball through to Watson but he was caught offside and the game ended 2-2.

The replay will take place at Bell Close on Tuesday 4th November, kick off 7:45pm, if the game is a draw after full time then, extra time and then penalties will be played.

Leighton Town FC

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

Subs- Farmer, Halia, Thompkins

Leiston FC

Team- Gay, Saker, Boardley, Mitchell, Jefford, Tann, Henry, Heath, Winter, Hubble, Francis

Subs- Merritt, Ottley-Gouch, Noy, Block, Rossis

Attendance- 166

By Hannah Sellman

A step in the right direction for Leighton

Corinthian Casuals 1-3 Leighton Town FC

With only 15 minutes before kick off Leighton only had a 10 man squad, as many of them had got caught in the horrendous M25 traffic, but thankfully when the time came to kick off they'd arrived.

The Casuals kicked off and immediately Mahrez Bettache took a punt at goal but was well off target. An early free kick for Leighton saw Danny Watson test the Casuals defence but they cleared their lines well.

Phil Draycott took a shot from 40 yards out to see how Danny Bracken reacted but he remained composed and gathered the ball. 

12 minutes gone and Dave Hodges made an almighty run from one end of the pitch to the other, eventually crossing the ball into the box, the ball bobbled straight across the goal to Bettache who missed.

Leighton were certainly not afraid to shoot, this time it was Michael Lyon who tested the waters with a shot from the half way line that sent Bracken high into the air and had to convert the ball out for a corner. 

With Leighton looking like they had the upper hand, it was a surprise when a good kick by Bracken, in the 15th minute found Reece Placid, who launched the ball towards the goal and deflected in off Gary Ridgway sending the Casuals into a 1-0 lead. 

A chance from Christian Lester to drew level came in the 30th minute when a good ball by Tyrone Taylor found his feet and just scraped over the bar. 

A dodgy kick by Bracken saw Draycott take his chances and have a go at goal, but Bracken was quick to recover and managed to block the shot with his foot. 

With 40 minutes gone Leighton were still looking for that all important equaliser and it wasn't long before Lyon played a fabulous ball in for Draycott, he skirted round the Casuals defence and curved the ball just under the bar, taking the half time score to 1-1. 

No changes at half time were made for either side and the Casuals came out looking for an early second half goal. Some good play by Steve Goddard and Hodges saw Dan Green have to make his first real save of the game. 

53 minutes played and Bracken made yet another mistake with his kick. Draycott was there to reach the ball and passed it to Watson who went one on one with Bracken and beat him, slotting the ball into the net, sending Leighton into a 2-1 lead. 

Leighton made their first substitution in the 62nd minute bringing off Robbie Goodman for Dave Murphy. 

With a free kick for Leighton, Murphys' first touch of the ball nearly put Leighton 3-1 up, but Bracken was there to catch it. A slightly injured Ridgway made way for Ash Farmer in the 71st minute. 

Farmers' first touch was a brilliant one, he composed himself and pounded the ball at Bracken, the ball bounced back to the feet of Watson and he certainly delivered, earning himself a brace and a scoreline of 3-1 to Leighton. 

An excellent save by Green in the 80th minute denied Jamie Byatt of a goal for the Casuals. 

A silly foul committed by Lester earned the Casuals a free kick but thankfully Byatt could only send the ball flying over the bar, summing up the night for the opposition.

To make matters worse Byatt then received a yellow card when he collided with Green and Chris Crook in the box. 

The final whistle blew and Leighton won 3-1, sending them into the next round of the FA Trophy, which is away to Leiston FC on Saturday 1st November, kick off 3pm.

We would like to thank Corinthian Casuals for their hospitality and good luck for the rest of the season. 

Leightons' next game is away to Potters Bar Town FC on Saturday 25th October, kick off 3pm. 


Corinthian Casuals FC

Team- Bracken, Bowra, Welch-Turner, Hall, Hicks, Turley, Placid, Bettache, Byatt, Goddard, Hodges,
Subs- Wilson-Denis, Bamoussa, Defoe, Vidal 

Leighton Town FC

Team- Green, Rajaram, Ridgway, Bunker, Crook, Goodman, Lyon, Lester, Taylor, Watson, Draycott
Subs- Farmer, Murphy, Halai

Attendance- 70 


By Hannah Sellman 

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