Edgware Take 3 Points At Bell Close

Leighton’s 4 game unbeaten run came to an abrupt end on Saturday afternoon after former striker Omalolu Onabolu came back to haunt the reds early on.

Town had made 4 changes to the side that beat Leverstock Green last Saturday among them Charlie Jones deputising in goal for Tom Wyant who had to return to his parent club Kempston.

It took a mere minute for Onabolu to get his first as he latched onto a long ball and put an assured finish past Jones. He then got his second on the 6th minute with another good finish placing another ranged effort into the bottom corner beyond the reach of Jones.

Leighton looked a little shell-shocked after this slow start and it took a good tackle from Kai Ashley to deny Mohamed Koroma after some more route one football from the visitors.

The Reds began to wake up with a couple of chances themselves. It was Alex O’Brien with the first, a header being flicked wide after Dom Marsala crossed in from the far side before Lorrel Smith had another header go wide after another Marsala cross.

Smith’s next header was a lot better as Cain Davies had to scramble to claw it out after Tappin found Smith following Marsala’s corner.

In truth though, the Edgware defence were more then holding firmly against Town after a great tackle stopped Tappin from shooting.

Onabolu was still haunting his former side and came close to adding another goal with an acute effort not far over the bar. Leighton were creating some better chances and O’Brien came close with a low free kick just outside the box that Davies had to push out for a corner.

The visitors weren’t resting on their laurels as they continued to create chances in the second half after Maudgie Gbo went narrowly wide.

Town themselves were continuing to make inroads into the game as a cross nearly deceived Davies and nestled in the bottom corner but it fell just past the post.

In order to try and get something out of the game Reynolds made some tactical adjustments with Smith coming off for Tom Bryant allowing Lewis McBride to play further forward in an attempt to trouble the Edgware defence.

The visitor’s defence was still holding firm though Marsala came closest to reducing arrears after hitting the bar. Substitute Tegana James played a lovely ball to O’Brien who pulled it back for Marsala who was unlucky not to convert.

Edgware were sitting back and Leighton were still pushing Marsala going close again with a free header just going wide.

Leighton eventually did reduce the scoreline late on after a goalmouth scramble enabled Towell to get the decisive touch and knock it just past Davies to make it 2-1.

Any chance of Leighton pushing for an equaliser late on was soon dashed after Edgware added a third. Substitute Reon Thomas was given time and space to drive at the Leighton backline and 1-on-1 with Jones poked it past to restore the visitors two goal advantage.

It was simply a case of a bad day at the office for The Reds who have the chance to get this defeat out of their systems with 2 successive games at Bell Close.

First up are league leaders Biggleswade FC in the cup on Tuesday before Colney Heath visit next Saturday for Non-League Day where spectators can pay what they want at the gate.

This result means Leighton drop to 9th although they have games in hand on some of the teams above them in the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division table.

Team: Jones, Towell, Ashley, Marsh, Guiney, Murphy, Marsala ©, Tappin, Smith, O’Brien, McBride Subs: Tappin for Pursey, Smith for Bryant, Marsh for James

Report by

James D’Arcy