Leighton Town 1 - Uxbridge 1

Leighton looked to put Saturday’s setback against AFC Rushden and Diamonds behind them last night at home to Uxbridge and started the brighter of the two teams, as Tegana James curled an effort not too far over from outside the box.

Leighton were playing some lovely football in these early exchanges as James was involved again with a nice 1-2 to Lewis McBride but James’ shot was blocked.

Both defences were playing well; Jordan Jenkins and Andrew Fagan were making some vital clearances for Leighton, while at the other end Josh Murray put in a good cross that was well blocked before it could reach James.

However Uxbridge were starting to create chances as well, as Reece Grant hit a dipping shot that Brad Kirkwood had to be alert to.

Town were putting some very good ball’s into the box as McBride put in another great ball on the near side that Ben Gallant was inches away from getting onto as Sam Gray in the Uxbridge goal claimed it well.

The visitors were also playing some good football as a good move eventually reached Jon-Jo Bates in a good position but his shot was always rising. Grant also found himself in a bit of space for the visitors but the oncoming Leighton defender put him off and his shot was an easy save for Kirkwood in the end.

The football in this first half was end to end stuff at times as Ibrahim Kallon put in a dangerous cross for Leighton that was nearly fumbled in by Gray in the Uxbridge goal, but Uxbridge countered and Jenkins had to make a good challenge to get it out for an Uxbridge corner.

Despite this, Leighton took the lead in the 43rd minute after Gallant made a great run on the far side and crossed it to an unmarked Alkali Darboe who swept it home. Gray got a touch to it but couldn’t keep it out and it was a good attack from the hosts.

Uxbridge came out of the traps flying in the second half and got an equalizer on the 46th minute through Grant as a ball was played in to him just a few yards out and he calmly slotted it past Kirkwood.

Uxbridge looked confident after this equalizer as Grant played in Matt Woods on the near side but his shot was inches wide of the post.

Town were slow to get going in the second half and had a half chance from a corner as Jenkins had a header blocked. Gallant also had a shot from distance but didn’t challenge Gray.

Uxbridge had only the post to stop them going ahead after a low cross reached Luke Heneghan but he was always stretching and he couldn’t convert it in. To try and get back into the game Leighton made a double substitution as Maxwell Ibeto and Murray came off for Kerran Birch and James Hatch. Hatch nearly made an impact straight away after he made a good run to the byline but the angle was tight and he could only hit the sidenetting.

Uxbridge were making a lot more chances in the second half and a great bit of defending from Town stopped the visitors going ahead when Kirkwood could only clear a shot as far as substitute Abobaker Eisa and his effort was headed off the line by Jenkins.

Joe Nyama had the last shot of the game but it was an easy save for Gray and neither side could get a winner in the end.

This was very much a game of two half’s, Leighton looked the better side in the first half while, Uxbridge were a lot better in the second and had a lot of good chances. Every point is vital at this stage of the season as Town travel to Northwood on Saturday before returning to Bell Close on the 16th of April at home to North Greenford.

Match Report by

James D'Arcy