Leighton bring Leiston home

Leiston kicked off but were soon dispossessed by Leighton. Danny Watson managed to find his wing man 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