North Greenford 2 - 0 Leighton Town

North Greenford United 2 - 0 Leighton Town
Town travelled to North Greenford on Saturday three points and one League position higher than the hosts but at full time the hosts had moved above Town in the table after a goal in each half secured their win. Once again Town were below strength due to the absence of Enzo Silvestri, Stuart Deaton and Charlie Cunningham and they had to include two Youth players on the subs bench. Matt Hewitt was selected at right back with Andre Maltay partnering Sam Chapman in central defence.
Greenford started quite brightly without creating any real chances but they looked dangerous when they won a free kick on their left flank and the ball was delivered to the far post but they were unable to make the most of the situation and the ball was knocked behind for a goal kick. In the 13th minute Leighton were awarded a free kick about 35 yards out and Layne Eadie tried his luck but his shot was comfortably saved by Caesar in the home goal. A minute after this Town had a great chance to open the scoring but Leon Simpson put his right footed shot wide of the post from just seven yards. Then in the 17th minute following a corner, Town had two efforts on goal but both lacked the necessary power to trouble the hosts defence. In the 25th minute Sean Bishop delivered a great pass to Layne Eadie who beat his marker but unfortunately his cross was blocked by the home defenders. Two minutes later Simpson delivered a great cross to the far post and Layne Eadie headed it back across goal but Ross Hanley’s shot was well blocked. Just when it looked as if Town had gained some real momentum the host’s opened the scoring in the 33rd minute following a throw in on their right. The ball was played forward where an attacker who looked to be in an offside position carried it forward before knocking in a cross which was converted by O Connor. Town replied when Jake Bewley won the ball in midfield and ran forward but his final shot went wide of the left hand post. Two minutes later Town won a free kick just outside the box but instead of trying a shot they attempted an intricate set play routine which the hosts were able to clear without any problems.
Playing up the slope but with the wind at their backs Town started the second half with good energy but then they were once again the victims of their own mistakes. O’Connor raced away from Sam Chapman and crossed to the far post where Wayne Jackson ran in and headed between Haydn Dodge and his near post. The second goal meant Town had a mountain to climb just to get a draw from the game and apart from one effort in the 76 minutewhen Layne Eadie hit the bar they never looked likely to get any reward from this game. There was not much between the teams but two defensive errors cost Town this game. Manager, Craig Wells will be hoping some of his unavailable and injured players are fit to resume next Saturday when Leighton face another vital fixture against Bedfont.
In a worst case scenario Town still need 10 points to finish above Fleet Town, , with the teams due to meet on Easter Saturday at Fleet. But Town have some tough fixtures before then and must start to win away games if they are intent on continuing at this level of football.
TEAM; Dodge, Hewitt, Bewley,Maltay, Chapman, Bishop, McBride(Bradley88), Hanley(Ojuroye70) , Gallant, Simpson(Gray70), Eadie.
Sub: Not used : Lorenzo Green. Att : 59.

Fixtures
TUES 27 Mar. 7:45 Leighton Reserves v Leverstock Green Suburban Shield
WED 28 MAR 7:45: Aylesbury United v Hadley SSM League
SAT 31 MAR 3pm Leighton Town v Bedfont Town EVO- STIK League