Leighton finish season on a high

AFC Hayes 1-3 Leighton Town FC

Leighton faced bottom of the league AFC Hayes in their last game of the season. It was also a sad farewell to Tyrone Taylor who has decided to hang up his boots.

AFC Hayes kicked off and had the first corner of the game 4 minutes in but they could only find the side netting, however they opened the scoring in the 8th minute. Ryan Debattista strolled past Dave Murphy, went one on one with Zaki Oualah before finally putting the ball in the net. 

Billy Lobjoit went down injured early in the first half and was replaced with Christian Lester. Leighton's first real chance of the game came in the 23rd minute, when Robbie Goodman headed the ball just wide of the post.

AFC Hayes also had to make an early substitution bringing off Cristian Barrett for Carlton Stewart in the 36th minute. 

Phil Draycott tested Sam Mazurek 39 minutes in, he had to make a diving save and push the ball away with his fingertips to deny Leighton of an equaliser. Leighton managed to draw level in the 43rd minute, the ball fell for Gary Ridgway and he managed to find the back of the net. 

Mark Bunker took down David Manu just outside box moments before the half time whistle. Tom Dawson stepped up to take the free kick and Goodman was on hand to clear the ball away with his foot. 

A great ball by Taylor found Bunker, he calmly transferred the ball over to Draycott, who played it straight through Mazureks' legs, to put Leighton into the lead at half time. 

With the second half underway it was only a matter of time before things started to get heated between the two teams. In the 49th minute Manu squared up to Murphy, but thankfully the referee stepped in before it became out of hand.

Mike Kinsella clattered into Lester in the 53rd minute and subsequently caused himself more damaged than his target and was substituted off to make way for Dujon Desagurante. Leighton also made their second substitution of the game bringing off Michael Lyon for Ash Farmer. 

Shouts were heard in the 60th minute when Desagurante passed the ball back to Mazurek, but the referee seemed oblivious to the pass back and play continued. 

Danny Watson was shown a yellow card in the 62nd minute for pulling Jerome Eccleston's shirt. Only minutes later Bunker also received a yellow card for taking down Manu. 

Draycott had a pot shot at goal in the 66th minute and even though it had some power behind it, it curled just wide of the post. Taylor had a chance at goal in the 74th minute but he headed the ball over the bar.

Leighton made their final substitution brining off Draycott for Alvin Rajaram in the 78th minute. In the 83rd minute Leighton seal the deal with a third and final goal. AFC Hayes's defence were slacking and Farmer took the opportunity to score, making it 3-1. 

AFC Hayes were awarded a free kick just outside the box with 5 minutes remaining and Rajaram was on hand to ensure that the ball didn't reach the goal, clearing it well down the pitch. 

Taking into today's results Leighton Town have finished in 18th position with 43 points. A great achievement for Craig Bicknell and his team, especially with it being their first experience at this level. 

We'd like to congratulate Kettering Town on their automatic promotion and commiserations to both AFC Hayes and North Greenford United on their relegation.

Leighton Town will be having a presentation night on Saturday 9th May at 7pm at the club, to celebrate the end of the season.

AFC Hayes

Team- Mazurek, Expiteta, Barrett, Kinsella, Eccleston, Azamoah, Cass, Berry, Debattista, Dawson, Manu

Subs- Olajuby, Minter, Desagurante, Stewart, Baldwin

Leighton Town FC

Team- Oualah, Bunker, Ridgway, Goodman, Murphy, Taylor, Morgan, Lyon, Lobjoit, Watson, Draycott

Subs- Crook, Farmer, Rajaram, Senla, Lester 

Attendance- 76

By Hannah Sellman 

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 

Three goals means three points for Leighton

Godalming Town FC 0-3 Leighton Town FC 

With a win last week, Craig Bicknell was hoping to continue his success this week against Godalming. Leighton played them at home back in October where they lost 4-0.

Leighton kicked off the first half but it was Godalming who managed to put the ball across towards goal, but Mark Bunker cleared his line and trouble was averted.

Ash Farmer was the first for Leighton to attempt a goal in the 17th minute, but his shot was weak and off target. Tom Willment to Farmer down in the box in the 23rd minute and the referee pointed to the spot for a penalty. 

Watson stepped up to the spot, sent Richard Ossai the wrong way and put Leighton 1-0 up. Ossai had to react quickly only moments after the penalty when Farmer took another shot at goal.

33 minutes on the clock and Zaki Oualah made the save of the game. Darren Wheeler sent the ball with power towards him, he spread himself to block the shot and it ricocheted of his boot and out for a corner.

With Leighton having most of the possession, Godalming tried to chop down Michael Lyon just to get a touch of the ball. The referee awarded Leighton a free kick and Aaron Morgan's shot was just shy of the post. 

The second half underway and Leighton continued as they'd left off in the first half. A great ball by Bunker landed awkwardly for Watson but he converted the ball beautifully lobbing it over Godalming's defence and into the back of the net making it 2-0. 

A  corner in the 58th minute from Billy Lobjoit set up Leighton's third goal. The ball fell to the head of Tyrone Taylor and he headed the ball straight through Ossai's arms. 

It could have been 4-0 only minutes later when a free kick by Lobjoit left Ossai flapping, but there was non one to follow the ball into the net. 

Godalming had a chance to pull a goal back in the 61st minute when Graeme Purdy headed the ball straight  across the goal from a free kick. 

Godalming needed to do something drastic to get one over on Leighton so in the 63rd minute they made a triple substitution to try and boast moral on the pitch. Bunker was shown a yellow card in the 66th minute for handling the ball. 

Leighton made a double substitution in the 68th minute brining off Lobjoit and Farmer for Odunayo Oke and Anthony Ottaway. 

With Godalming's three substitutions on and settling into the game they started to get on top of Leighton, but not enough to deny Taylor of another shot at goal that flew just over the bar. 

Godalming found the back of the net in the 78th minute but the lino had already flagged for offside so the game continued with the score staying at 3-0. 

Inspired by their offside stick Purdy went one on one with Robbie Goodman and missed the goal when it was easier to put it in the net than not. Play was paused in the 80th minute when Taylor went down with a knock to the ribs, but he recovered quickly. 

Bunker came off in the 82nd minute making way for Donik Sopa. Two minutes before the final whistle Lyon won a free kick. Oualah sent the ball down the pitch to Taylor who headed towards goal making Ossai dive for the shot that fell just wide of the post. 

Oualah made a 90th minute save to deny Will Hutton of a goal.

Leighton next game is on Monday 6th April at home to Chalfont St. Peter, kick off 3pm.

Leighton Town FC

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

Subs- Ottaway, Fitzjohn, Sopa, Oke, Irving

Godalming Town FC

Team- Ossai, Wales, Hutton, Simeone, Lloyd, Willment, Wheeler, W. Hutton, Purdy, L. Hutton, Frith

Subs- Howard, Mazzone, Musgrove, Hutchings 

Attendance- 119

By Hannah Sellman 

   

Leighton loom above the line after another loss

St Ives Town 4-0 Leighton Town FC

With a depleted team due to suspensions and other more important commitments than football, Craig Bicknell managed to successfully sign Paul-George Ericson and Donik Sopa ahead of the game, however both were benched as Leighton's only two substitutes.

With the first half underway it was pretty even between the two teams and you couldn't really tell who was the mid-table team. 

Leighton had the first corner of the game 2 minutes in and with Tim Trebes missing the ball completely it was a chance to open the scoring.

A great stop by Dave Murphy denied Ben Seymour-Shove of having a shot on target for St Ives. With a corner being given, Charlie Death rattled the bar with a powerful header, before the ball was cleared down the pitch.

Murphy was shown a yellow card in the 16th minute for what looked like accidental handball. A brilliant back heel of the ball by Aaron Morgan found Gary Ridgway in the 22nd minute and his shot saw Trebes palm the ball away. 

Leighton's Danny Watson scored in the 39th minute but the flag was up for offside and the goal was disallowed. St Ives nearly made it 1-0 on the edge of half time but Murphy cleared the ball off the line while Zaki Oualah was down on the ground. 

The start of the second half saw a much more determined St Ives team and it certainly showed with Leighton not even having a shot at goal.

53 minutes in and Luke Knight headed home a beauty making it 1-0 to St Ives. Leighton made their one and only substitution bringing off Ash Farmer for Donik Sopa. 

A crucial clearance off the line from Ridgway stopped St Ives from getting a second, but in the 71st minute Sopa took down Knight in the box and St Ives were awarded a penalty.

Jack Higgs stepped up to the spot, sent Oualah the wrong way, and bagged a second goal for St Ives. A shot from Jonny Hall in the 79th minute rattled the cross bar for a second time in the game.

The 85th minute saw Oualah sprawled on the floor and the goal open for James Hall to slot the ball into the back of the net for a third goal. It didn't get any better for Leighton as 3 minutes later St Ives managed to get their fourth and final goal of the game. 

Stuart Eason headed the ball down to the feet of Seymour-Shove in the box, who easily put the ball into the net against a defeated Leighton.

Leighton's next game is at home to Daventry Town on Saturday 28th March, kick off 3pm. 

St Ives Town FC

Team- Trebes, O' Malley, Hall, Smith, Death, Knight, Seymour-Shove, Higgs, Eason, Hall, Sinclair

Subs- Moyes, Mead, Lambert, Bream, Peters

Leighton Town FC

Team- Oualah, Crook, Murphy, Goodman, Rajaram, Taylor, Lobjoit, Farmer, Morgan, Watson, Ridgway

Subs- Ericson, Sopa, Fitzjohn 

Attendance- 229

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 

Rovers get their revenge and beat Leighton to the points

Barton Rovers 2-0 Leighton Town FC

After a close game against Kettering on Tuesday night, it was time for Leighton to face Barton. They played them back in November and managed a draw to earn themselves a point.

Craig Bicknell welcomed back, Christian Lester, Tyrone Taylor and Phil Draycott to his starting line up after all being unavailable on Tuesday.

The first half an hour Leighton were on the attack looking strong and they came close in the 8th minute but Danny Watson's shot fell straight into Kyle Forster's hands.

Draycott worked well to overcome Barton's defence and his shot was just over the bar in the 12th minute. Robbie Goodman made a fantastic tackle to stop Ben Sawyer in his tracks towards goal. 

Lester won Leighton a free kick just outside the box in the 17th minute, Aaron Morgan stepped up and his shot was just wide of the post, yet another missed opportunity. 

A powerful shot by Jack Keating saw Zaki Oualah jump to push it over the bar to deny Barton the lead. Leighton's best chance came in the 31st minute, a great header by Taylor fell then to the head of Lester but he couldn't put it across the line.

Connor Vincent was the first to put the ball into the back of the net for Barton. Winning the ball from the throw he turned and fired the ball home. Things only got worse for Leighton, when Michael Lyon took down Rhys Hoenes in the box and was given a penalty.

Keating stepped up to the spot and thankfully, although not the best of penalties, Oualah divided to his left pushing the ball away for Taylor to clear down the pitch.

Leighton kicked off the second half and made their first substitution in the 54th minute bringing off Lyon for Billy Lobjoit. 

A mistake by Alvin Rajaram gave Tuki Tayali space to charge freely at Oualah, luckily a fast moving Gary Ridgway managed to stick his foot in to divert the ball over the bar for a corner.

Smallest man on the pitch Morgan made a big difference when he cleared the ball off the line in the 62nd minute to stop Barton from lengthening their lead. 

A second substitution for Leighton came in the 73rd minute brining off Morgan for Ash Farmer. 

A brilliant goal kick by Oualah found Watson near the centre half, he did well to keep the ball and came face to face with Forster. 

Unfortunately Watson hesitated and lost the ball, Farmer followed it up and tried to lob Forster but he aimed too high.

In the 81st minute Taylor was replaced with Dave Murphy. Lester did well to win a free kick when he was elbowed in the head but his good luck didn't last long when he clattered into Jhai Dhillon and was shown a red card. 

With Leighton down to 10 men substitute Russell Bull fancied his chances at goal but his strike went wide. With only injury time left to play it looked like Leighton might have got away with just the one goal against them.

But with a player missing Barton took advantage. Bull charged past Murphy and Rajaram, with only Oualah left to defeat, Bull managed to squeeze the ball just past the inside post making it 2-0 to Barton.

Leighton's next game is away to North Greenford United on Tuesday 10th March, kick off 7:45pm. 

Leighton Town FC

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

Subs- Lobjoit, Farmer, Murphy, Forrester, Green

Barton Rovers 

Team- Forster, Hassan, Dhillon, Gatti, Andrews, Kilroy, Hoenes, Keating, Vincent, Tayali, Sawyer

Subs- Bull, Perry, Brown, Peveral, Caglar 

Attendance- 130

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