Leighton 1 - 3 London Colney

Today’s league game against leaders London Colney was probably Leighton’s toughest test at Bell Close so far, the visitors have only been beaten once so far this term and with a goal difference of 32 it was clear to see goals were not a problem for the away side. Leighton in contrast have been improving of late an impressive 4-1 win away to Stotfold helped move Town up the table whilst in the cups Leighton were unlucky to lose to Southern Premier side Dunstable Town after a spirited performance.

Whilst Leighton usually start games very brightly, this time it was the visitors who had the better start; striker Dave Parkinson dispossessed Leighton and attacked but the hosts just managed to clear their lines very early on.

This was a wake up call for the hosts, Martin Griggs made a lovely run his shot was blocked by London Colney defender Gregg Douglas and the following corner was well cleared.

Parkinson looked lively for London Colney and went 1 on 1 with Sillitoe he did everything right and looked certain to bury it but he blazed it over the bar.

London Colney did take the lead not long after following a very clinical counter attack. Parkinson got the ball made an incisive cutting run and played in Jack Woods for a tap in.

Leighton had a golden chance to equalise a hopeful ball came off a London Colney defender and straight into the path of Aaron McKee who was in a great position to poke the ball home but he didn’t expect to have such a good chance and scuffed it wide.

However Leighton did equalise with their next chance midway through the first half through Griggs. A long hopeful cross reached Griggs who did ever so to the aerial duel over the London Colney ‘keeper and nestle a header into the corner.

The visitors then had a chance to retake the lead through that man Parkinson again when he found himself through on goal but he went down easily looking for a penalty when he could’ve shot and the referee Bob Trinder did not give it.

Griggs looked full of confidence following that finish, shown in his next effort an ambitious turn and half volley from a long way out and it was not too far wide of the mark. Like Parkinson was at the head of the attack for London Colney, Griggs was the same for the Reds; Craig Maisiri played a lovely ball into Griggs but with no options he shot at a very acute angle and it only just whistled past the post.

Despite this, London Colney retook the lead just on the strike of half-time through Parkinson. He out-muscled his way through the Leighton defence and struck a powerful effort past Sillitoe.

The second half began and Aaron McKee had a free kick in a decent area he swung the ball in and it reached James Towell he turns and shoots and the resulting finish was not far away.

Leighton were creating good build up play at times and were close to equalising; Maisiri played a good header to Towell he squared it to sub Lolu Onabolu his shot deflected out the second shot came in and nearly snuck in underneath London Colney goalkeeper Tom Gowans.

London Colney got their third goal midway through the second half, it was poor defending from Leighton and sub Archie McClelland who had only just come on got on the end of a ball across goal to poke it home.

Were it not for the acrobatics of Gowans Leighton would have reduced the deficit not long after Alex Condon played in McKee his header was going in the top corner but Gowans acrobatically clawed it out for a corner.

London Colney had set up to defend well against Leighton who were still trying to get into the game, Griggs tried an overhead kick but it was lacking power and routinely saved by Gowans.

The hosts then hit the bar after Maisiri played in a corner, it came out to substitute Lamar Mangal he shot, there was a defensive scramble in the box and Onabolu could only hit the bar when bodies were flying and eventually Gowans got it.

Whilst Gowans was making some great saves, so was Sillitoe in the Leighton goal, Donaldson had a free kick in a good area it was going towards the right top corner and Sillitoe made a top save to keep it out.

3-1 it finished in favour of the visitors who showed why they are top of the table with an efficient and clinical performance. Leighton played well in patches and played some good football at times but today was always going to be a difficult match. Leighton return to Bell Close on Tuesday in the League Cup against Risborough Rangers before travelling to second placed Berkhamstead in the league next Saturday. We’d also like to thank Computamation Services Limited for sponsoring today’s game they chose Jack Sillitoe as their Man of the Match.

Report By
James D'Arcy