27/09/08 15:00
Leighton
Town 0 - 1 Crowborough Athletic
After the excitement of last year’s FA Cup success
Leighton came down to earth with a bang at Bell Close
on Saturday when their visitors from the Ryman League
South knocked them out of this year’s competition with
their first effort on goal during an uninspiring match.
Town were forced to make changes to their line up when
James Hatch was ruled unfit and he was replaced by
Dennis Fenemore in attack. Wes Lewis returned in
midfield at the expense of the unlucky James McNulty.
After an edgy start from both teams Town created the
first good chance of the game after a move involving
four players saw the ball moved the whole length of the
pitch. Ben Gallant showed some excellent footwork to
create a chance for himself but he then dragged his
left footed shot wide of the post.
After this neither side created anything in attack
until the 28th minute when a deep cross by full back
David Soutar found the unmarked Gavin Gordon who from
12yards headed over Lee Clark and into the net to give
the visitors the lead. Leighton will be annoyed to have
conceded a goal when they had three defenders in the
box and the striker still managed to find space to get
a free header. Six minutes after the goal Town should
have been awarded a penalty when Harris handled the
ball at least a yard inside the left hand edge of the
penalty area, but the match officials inexplicably
decided the offence had been committed outside the box
The rest of the half was a scrap affair with Town
giving away possession too easily and this prevented
then developing any tempo as they looked for an
equaliser.
Town started the second half at a better pace and after
five minutes Leon Gordon flashed a fierce shot just
over the bar after a Town had won a corner. Two minutes
later Enzo Silvestri headed wide from another corner.
In the 55th
minute
Town won a free kick on the left but Scott Thomas’s
free kick went straight over everyone and out for a
goal kick. This just about summarised Town’s lack of
quality on the day particularly from set pieces. Two
minutes later Enzo Silvestri shot at goal but his
effort took a huge deflection and was easily caught by
Pickworth in the visitor’s goal. Town’s next effort
came from a James Lasbrey free kick but this curled
over both the defensive wall and the crossbar.
Despite making two substitutions Town could not find an
equaliser and the visitors comfortably held out for
their win and a place in the third qualifying round.
The match lacked real quality and the only player who
seemed happy on the ball was Crowborough midfielder
Luke Gedling. Neither keeper had to make a save in the
match and this tells its own story. Town had some
decent individual performances but collectively they
were unable to repeat some of their earlier
performances and this has cost them a place in the next
round.
Team: Clark, Lasbrey, Cashman, Lewis, Clifford, Howley,
Gordon( Goss71), Silvestri(McNulty89), Gallant,
Fenemore, Thomas(Hatch81). Subs: ( Not used) Chapman,
Lanham
Att: 161
Town now turn their attentions to the other FA
competition when they entertain Chipstead from the
Ryman League at Bell Close next Saturday ko 3pm.
Midweek Fixture Under 18
Wednesday 1st
October
7:45 Tring Athletic v Leighton Town Under
Saturday 4 th October 3pm Beaconsfield v Leighton
Reserves Suburban League
20/09/08 15:00
MALVERN
TOWN 2 - 2 LEIGHTON TOWN
Leighton travelled to Worcestershire on Saturday to
take on bottom of the table Malvern but a poor first
half display in which they conceded a goal in the
opening two minutes put them on the back foot for most
of the first 45 minutes.
Town were forced to change their midfield formation
when Wes Lewis withdrew through injury and he was
replaced in central midfield by James McNulty.
On a beautiful late summer afternoon Town suffered an
early setback when the hosts scored after only 2
minutes, a cross from the left was met by Mussell and
his glancing header entered the net off the far post
with Town keeper Lee Clark a mere spectator. Town could
have gone further behind after 16 minutes when Morris
turned sharply and drove his shot against the post but
fortunately for Leighton the ball rebounded into the
arms of keeper Lee Clark. Town’s first attack came in
the 22nd
minute
when after a good bout of passing they won a corner,
but this was easily cleared by the hosts. A few minutes
later Ben Gallant played in James Hatch but his shot
which lacked power never troubled the keeper. Town’s
next opportunity again fell to Hatch in the
35th
minute
when Leon Cashman played him the ball but after turning
well he finished poorly. Four minutes later following
Town’s best move off the half Leon Gordon cut in from
the left and fired in a low shot which home keeper,
Humphries tipped around the post at full stretch. Five
minutes before the interval Malvern win a free kick on
the half way line and Paddock tried to score directly
from the kick which Clark watched pass harmlessly over
his crossbar. Town went straight up the other end and
Ben Gallant turned and shot but his shot went over the
bar. Town should have been awarded a penalty just
before the break when Aston Goss beat two men and was
then fouled inside the box but the referee decided
otherwise and blew for half time.
Town looked more determined at the start of the a
second half Ben Gallant and James Lasbrey combined down
the right before Lasbrey crossed into the box but James
McNulty was unable to direct his header on target. In
the 55th
minute
Leon Cashman drove in a diagonal cross but James Hatch
at the far post put his shot into the side netting.
Town did not have to wait long for an equaliser however
and in the 57th
minute
following a long throw by Leon Cashman, Peter Clifford
back headed the ball towards goal and Enzo Silvestri
darted in to head the ball past the keeper. Town were
easily the better team at this stage but just 5 minutes
later the referee awarded Malvern a penalty for some
obscure offence that puzzled most of the spectators and
players alike. The spot kick was well struck but Lee
Clark diving to his right made the save for the second
time in consecutive games, to keep Town on level terms.
Town went in front for the first time after 69 minutes
when after some good work by Ben Gallant down the right
he drove the ball low across the face of the goal and
Leon Gordon running in at the far post side footed the
ball past Humphries. Malvern apart from the penalty had
not really posed a threat in the second half but in the
77th
minute
substitute Malins drove into the side netting to remind
Town that the game was not secure.
In the 80thminute
Town attacked and Dennis Fenemore broke through on goal
but was tripped by Kings who despite being the last man
was allowed to remain on the pitch by the referee.
Leon Cashman struck the free kick well and Humphries
was only able to push the ball up into the air but as
Ben Gallant tried to get his head to the loose ball the
keeper grabbed the ball just in time.
Five minutes later the hosts drew level in somewhat
fortuitous fashion, Town gave the ball away deep in the
Malvern half and a long ball was driven deep into the
heart of the Town defence and Liam Howley did well to
get his head to the ball but he then slipped as he went
for the loose ball and Morris was able to lift the ball
over Clark and into the net for the equaliser.
Despite their best efforts Town were unable to get a
winner and had to settle for a single point despite
their domination of the second half.
Team: Clark, Lasbrey, Cashman, McNulty, Clifford,
Howley, Gordon(Lanham 77), Silvestri, Gallant,
Hatch(Fenemore57), Goss.
Subs: (Not used) Chapman, Scott, Thomas.
Att. 75.
NEXT FIXTURES.
FA Youth Cup 23rd
September
7:45 Rushden & Diamonds v Leighton Under 18
SATURDAY 27th
September
3pm FA CUP Leighton Town v Crowborough Athletic
SATURDAY 27th
SEPTEMBER
3pm Suburban League Cup Northwood Res. v Leighton
Reserves
SATURDAY 4th
October
FA Carlsberg Trophy LEIGHTON TOWN v CHIPSTEAD .
13/09/08 15:00
FA
CUP
Stotfold 0 - 3 Leighton Town
Leighton made the short journey across Bedfordshire on
Saturday to play Stotfold hoping to
make further progress at the expense of their United
Counties League opponents. The last time the two teams
met was at Luton in May when Stotfold beat Leighton to
win the Bedfordshire Senior Cup.
Town had to make changes from the team that drew with
Chasetown last week due to injury and unavailability.
Sam Chapman replaced James Lasbrey at full back, Leon
Cashman replaced the injured Jack Copson at left back
and new signing Aston Goss came into the side on the
left of the midfield .
On a very warm afternoon the hosts created the first
chance from a corner but Lee Clark was alert to the
danger and made a good save from Beckwith.
The game was very scrappy in the early stages with
neither team in the ascendancy and lots of misplaced
passes but Leighton took the lead in the
17th
minute.
Following a long throw from Leon Cashman, Town captain,
Peter Clifford back headed over keeper Gilham and into
the far corner of the net.
A few minutes after the goal Stotfold had a good chance
to draw level following a free kick but Bryant sliced
his shot wide from close range and Town retained their
lead.
Town replied through Goss in the 26th
minute
but his long range effort lacked power. Town increased
their lead in the 33rd
minute
when Goss ran forward before sliding a clever pass
between two defenders for James Hatch. Despite the best
efforts of Paul Donnelly to pull him down Hatch showed
good strength and ran on to take the ball past the
keeper and then stroked in home for his first Town
goal. Four minutes later Goss was again involved and
was fouled just outside the box but Leon Gordon’s free
kick was saved comfortably by Gilham.
Stotfold had a great chance to get back into the game
in the 43rd
minute
when the referee who had an excellent match awarded the
hosts a penalty. Paul Donnelly took the kick but his
fierce left footed effort went straight at Lee Clark
who made the save. Right at the break James Hatch had
an effort blocked by the keeper and Ben Gallant’s
follow up was delected for a corner.
Stotfold knew it was not going to be their day after 15
minutes of the second half when they had Taylor sent
off for pulling back James Hatch. Despite their
protests the referee had no other option as the
defender was the last man.
Just after this a good move between Cashman and Gordon
saw the latter’s low cross pass right across the goal
without anyone getting a touch. Town were well on top
now and Hatch laid the ball off for Silvestri but his
well struck shot was blocked by the defence.
In the 77th
minute
Clark in the Town goal had to make his first save of
the half when he collected Mitchell’s shot. Two minutes
later Town extended their lead when substitute, Dennis
Fenemore pulled the ball back to Hatch who stroked it
home for his second and Town’s third.
Despite this setback Stotfold kept battling and in the
84th
minute
Lee Clark was forced to tip the ball around the post
after a headed effort from a free kick.
Town were able to see out the remainder of the game
with comfort and they now await Monday’s draw with
eager anticipation.
This was not a terrific game for the spectators but as
in all Cup competitions the result is all that matters
and Town will be now be hoping for a home draw in the
next round.
Stotfold as expected worked hard and competed
throughout even when down to ten men.
Team: Clark, Chapman, Cashman, Lewis, Clifford, Howley,
Gordon, Silvestri, Gallant, Hatch, Goss
Subs: Root, McNulty(Silvestri 89), Fenemore(Gallant
72), Lanham(Goss 76)
Attendance 101
Leighton Reserves lost 0-1 at Bell Close to Hampton
& Richmond in the Suburban League.
FIXTURES
Tuesday 16th
September
Suburban League ko 7:45 Leighton Res. V Berkhamsted
Reserves.
Saturday 20th
September.
Southern League ko 3pm
Malvern Town v Leighton Town.
Any fans wishing to travel to Malvern on the Team Coach
can add their names to the travel list in the Club Bar.
Price £8-00 Departure. 11am
06/09/08 15:00
Leighton
Town 1 - 1 Chasetown
Town entertained Chasetown at Bell Close on Saturday
knowing that this was likely to be one of their most
difficult home fixtures of the season. Games between
the two sides have always been close and Town knew that
they would have to be at or near their best to gain any
reward from the game.
Despite the recent inclement weather the pitch looked
in superb condition and Town who were unchanged from
last week at Tilbury kicked off with the wind at their
backs. The game started at a frantic pace. Town were
awarded a free kick after just 4 minutes but Jack
Copson wsted the kick by curling his shot way over the
bar. Chasetown immediately replied and Lee Clark had to
push Perrow’s shot around the post for a corner. From
the resulting kick Clark made an easy save from Thomas’
headed effort.
Chasetown took the lead with a highly dubious goal in
the 12 th minute . Branch swung a free kick into the
area and Liam Howley could only head the ball up into
the air, as keeper Lee Clark went for the ball three
Chasetown players charged the keeper and the ball into
the net.Everyone at that end of the ground was
expecting Town to be awarded a free kick but the
referee and his assistant decided that no foul had been
committed.( Nat Lofthouse and Harry Gregg will recall a
similar decision) in the 19858 Cup Final.
Despite this early setback Town came straight back at
the visitors and in the 15th
minute
Town were awarded a free kick out on the left. James
Lasbrey swung in the kick and Town were awarded a
penalty for handball by Teesdale . Ben Gallant stepped
up and coolly slotted the ball into the corner of the
net after sending Price the wrong way.
Chasetown were awarded a free kick just outside the box
in the 25th
minute
after a foul by Enzo Silvestri, Harris’s fierce free
kick was well turned away by Clark diving to his left.
Chasetown were looking threatening and five minutes
later Branch curled in a free kick but Teesdale put his
header over the bar. Town were forced to make a
substitution when James McNulty replaced the injured
Howley in the 35th
minute
Just before the break Perrow created a chance for
himself when he cut in from the right and fired in a
powerful left footed shot which Lee Clark did well to
deflect over the bar. From the resulting corner kick
Perrow pulled away from his marker but then put his
header over the bar.
After the high tempo of the first half it was no
surprise that the game slowed a little and Town had the
first chance of the half when some excellent work by
James Hatch set up Leon Gordon but his shot was well
saved by Price diving low to his left.
A few minutes later Mark Branch fired in a long range
effort for Chasetown but this swung wide of the far
post. In the 62nd
minute
the Chasetown captain, John Branch was left unmarked at
the far post but Lee Clark was out quickly to smother
his shot and then collect the loose ball.
Onokah then tried his luck from long range for the
visitors but his effort was deflected for a corner,
which was headed wide by the striker.
Town were applying lots of pressure to the visitors
defence but not creating any clear cut chances, but
Scott Thomas fired in a fierce shot from just outside
the box which hit a defender before being kicked clear.
In the 83rd
minute
Leon Gordon fired in a fierce shot but this was headed
away by Thomas. Just before the end of the game some
clever interplay between Ben Gallant and Dennis
Fenemore set the latter free but his shot was well
smothered by Price to deny Town a winner.
This was an excellent performance by Sean Downey’s side
who matched their visitors stride for stride and a draw
was probably a fair result in a match which the crowd
thoroughly enjoyed.
This was probably Town’s best performance of the season
so far, their defence well marshalled throughout by
Peter Clifford looked solid and Wes Lewis after missing
most of last season through a bad knee injury gave a
superb display in midfield and looked back to his very
best. Ben Gallant gave his usual high energy display up
front .
TEAM: Clark, Lasbrey, Copson(Thomas68), Lewis,
Clifford, Howley(McNulty35)Gordon, Silvestri Gallant,
Hatch(Fenemore67), Cashman.
SUBS: O’Grady, Root,
ATT: 158
Leighton Reserves drew 3-3 with Fleet Town on Saturday
. With a limited squad this was probably their best
display so far this season. Goal scorers were Denton ,
Goss and Scott.
FIXTURES
SATURDAY 13th
September
ko 3pm FA CUP Stotfold v Leighton Town (Replay Tuesday
7:45 if required)
Leighton Reserves v Hampton & Richmond Suburban
League 3pm
TUESDAY 16th
September
ko 7:45 Leighton Reserves v Berkhamstead Suburban
League
Saturday 20th
September
ko 3pm BGB League Malvern Town v Leighton Town
Saturday 27th
September
ko 3pm BGB League Stourport Swifts v Leighton Town
Town will be running a coach to Malvern and Stourport
any fans wishing to travel can add their name to the
travel list in the Club Bar Price: £8