In what was the first match in five weeks for Leighton Town, the Reds could only muster a draw against a determined Arlesey side in league action. Despite the cold, Bell Close was buzzing for the first fixture played in 2022. The 316 fans in attendance were treated to a competitive tussle capped by two first half goals and the home side ending the game with ten men.
The game started as Leighton looked to dust off the cobwebs from their postponement enforced break. Forward Kieran Turner compounded some early pressure as Town looked comfortable driving down the left side.
A free kick on 6 minutes was arrowed into the box from Ross Adams, creeping through the defence perfectly for the arriving Turner to poke home at the back post. It was a great return for the ex-Tring man, who had previously been with Leighton at the start of 2020.
Town continued to have more joy down that side. However, Arlesey stood firm and nearly even managed an instant reply – a corner from the right deflecting off Connor Coulston and narrowly going over.
Leighton’s play down the wings came from some less-than-glamourous hard graft in the engine room midfield and a challenge from Alfie Osborne epitomised that. The midfielder clattered forward Archie Sayer and could breathe a sigh of relief as the referee opted for a yellow card on 15 minutes.
The referee would have more work to do on 29 minutes. Both sides swarmed the man in black amidst a frustrating spell. Town popped the ball around nicely before Luke Pyman, seemingly through, was brought down cynically.
Not given, the midfielder tracked back with a retaliation challenge that stopped the Arlesey counter, with play being pulled back when they were through on goal. In a strange turn, the phase was resolved with a drop ball.
Ashton Campbell then missed out on doubling the lead on 38 minutes, curling round the keeper and the post after being played in by Adams.
Arlesey would punish missed opportunities and in spectacular fashion too. Reece Crowther, an ever-present attacking force, cut in from the right and unleashed a rasping effort back across goal. From 25-yards, it flew into the bottom right corner on the 40 minute mark.
On 43 minutes chaos descended once more. Tom Bryant won a foul before an exchange of words with Blues’ midfielder John Smith ended with the latter writhing around on the floor noisily. Despite the cries and an alleged kick, the half ended – lucky not to see more names in the officials’ book.
The second half started in similar dramatic fashion. Ross Adams drew the keeper out on 46’ and looked to have rounded him before being brought down. Nothing was given.
Amidst a flurry of second half half-chances, an Adams corner from the left trickling across the face came so close, just begging for a touch on 56’.
Arlesey had attempts of their own, especially through the continued efforts of Crowther on 71’. His drives down the right were sharpest in a relatively blunt offensive edge from the away team.
Moving into the final 15 minutes, Campbell linked up well with Turner who latched on to a pass and outran defender Mickey Shuttlewood. Baring down on goal, the keeper rushed off his line and could only watch Turner open his body and tuck his right footed shot tantalisingly wide of the bottom right corner.
Minutes later on 81’, Joe Fitzgerald nearly got the breakthrough – just getting to a ball down the right of the box from Turner. His pass expertly unlocked the defence but the keeper Adam O’Neill protected his near post well and ultimately saved a valuable point for his side.
The game finished in a contentious manor as the red card Alfie Osborne perhaps could’ve received in the first half was shown in the 89th minute. Adjudged to have tripped his man on the break, it felt like a soft dismissal and perhaps retribution for the ref’s earlier leniency.
Now, with other teams playing their games in advance and this draw, Leighton drift down to 4th place. For Arlesey Town, this point sees them chipping away at 7th spot – their next game is away at Crawley Green.
The next game is away at Kempston Rovers in The Beds Senior Cup Competition on Tuesday.
By Max Bradfield