Leighton held to a draw at home against North Greenford

After a mid-week postponement due to the unreliable British weather Leighton took on North Greenford with a significant change to the starting line up, welcoming back old faces such as Stuart Deaton and Aiden Denton. Leighton Town youth also appeared as mascots getting their chance to meet and greet all the players before the game.

North Greenford kicked off the first half and straight away managed to win a corner fortunately Matt Griggs had it covered. The tables quickly turned and Leighton gained possession with Denton managing to cross the ball quickly to Ben Gallant but he couldn't find the power needed to score.

Grant Fryer, Jake bewley and Dom Marsala were all continuously crossing the ball into the box only for it to be left hanging there with no one to put it in the net. 10 minutes in and North Greenfords' Carlton Stewart was forced off the pitch with a nose bleed and only 4 minutes later Marsala had the same trouble having to be given treatment before rejoining the team.

4 corners on the trot for Leighton still couldn't see them score, many of these didn't even manage to make it past the first man. Just before the half time whistle a two footed tackle on Gallant saw Danny Bennell shown a straight red, reducing the opposition to 10 men, this was Leightons chance to buck up their ideas ready for the second half, however this was not the case.

The score line changed 53 minutes in when Leightons defence become slack, allowing Daryl Brown to put the ball past Griggs with ease. Even though North Greenford were playing with 10 men Leighton weren't taking advantage of this and seemed to be letting the opposition walk all over them.

Another injury for Leighton occurred when Shane Bush sustained a knock to his head, having to be patched up before returning to the game. Warren Plowright picked up a yellow card, something he is notoriously known for in the 65th minute. Leighton decided this was then the right time to make a double substitution bringing on Gareth Chendlik and Charlie Fryer to replace Marsala and Jack Downes.

Leighton finally put the ball in the back of the net in the 72nd minute when Grant Fryer made a challenge on North Greenfords' keeper George Hyde, it was then a mad scramble before he then slotted the ball home to make the score 1-1.

The 80th minute created a stir when North Greenford hit the post from a free kick but thankfully the ball bounced outwards straight to Leighton. The last 10 minutes saw Leighton pull out all the stops trying to take as many shots at goal as physically possible.

83 minutes in and Sean Bishop made a great cross which found Bewley who headed the ball straight over the bar. It was then Bush who made his way past numerous players, eventually playing the ball to Gallant who found Bewley but it was too far for him to reach and he ended up colliding with the steps leading off the pitch.

Chendlik cried for a penalty when he believed he was obstructed on his run towards goal in the 87th minute but the referee gave a firm shake of his head and play resumed. Leightons passing become sloppier through out the game and the last few minutes weren't any different, they just couldn't make their passes stick resulting in the game ended as a draw.

By Hannah Sellman

Team lineup- Griggs, F. Fryer, Bewley, Plowright, Deaton, Bishop, Downes, Bush, Gallant, Marsala, Denton

Subs- Chendlik, Lyons, C. Fryer, Quinn

Attendance- 180