Leighton fall back into their old ways against Chertsey

After a successful midweek game Leighton were hoping to pull the wool over Chertseys' eyes who currently sit 21st in the table. With Chertsey kicking off the first half it was up to Leighton to work together to gain the ball back, it wasn't long before this happened and Dennis Fenemore and Dom Marsala where both denied shots.

It become apparent early on that Chertseys' Alan Musoke was very good at complaining to the referee, trying to get his own way when it came to free kicks. 7 minutes saw Leighton pick their heads up and Jack Downes found Aiden Denton who skilfully crossed the ball to Shane Bush who unfortunately couldn't get past the defence.

A great kick from Matt Griggs, which reached Kieran Doughtys' head and bounced straight to Fenemore, but he found that couldn't do anything with the ball. Jake Bewley managed to find a way through the tough defence and take a shot but then the referee blew for offside and it wasted chance.

Both Warren Plowright and Grant Fryer defended every single ball that came down the middle from Chertsey, not taking any chances. Chertsey first real chance came in 20th minute when Musoke powered his way through and fired the ball at Griggs, chopping down many Leighton players on the way.

A free kick won by Denton saw Fenemore step up to the plate and fire the ball towards Rhys Marshall but with no power behind the ball it was easily caught. However 29 minutes in saw Leighton take their chances when Denton found Downes, he kicked the ball which skimmed along the ground and bobbled just left of the post.

Griggs made a fine save when Chertsey belted the ball towards the goal and just before half time Leightons' lack of communication saw Bewley and Doughty run head on into each other, both needing treatment before the game resumed. After the short stoppage Fenemore found himself facing an open goal but he skied it over the bar.

The second half saw Denton replaced with Craig Masiri and Doughty with Gareth Chendlik. Leighton had two quick corners both which mounted to nothing and saw another collision between two Leighton players this time Bush and Fryer who both went to head the ball.

Leightons only booking was when Marsala was shown a yellow card for manhandling Chertseys' captain Ryan Blake. The last 10 minutes saw Leighton trying to cram as many shots at goal as possible, unfortunately all of them were off target. Downes caused the keeper to fumble the ball in the air, Chendlik sliced the ball wide and Marsala could only find the sky.

87 minutes saw Marsala challenge the keeper only to end up putting the ball over the bar. The game was halted while Marshall was down injured. After 5 minutes he managed to walk off the pitch slightly dazed with suspected concussion, Chertseys' Steve Brown pulled on the keepers top and took up his position.

With Chertseys keeper off the pitch recovering and only minutes remaining it was up to Leighton to take advantage but all they could manage was both Fenemore and Maisiri putting the ball over the bar, resulting in a goalless stalemate.

By Hannah Sellman

Team lineup- Griggs, Downes, Bewley, G.Fryer, Plowright, Bishop, Doughty, Bush, Fenemore, Marsala, Denton

Subs- C. Fryer, Silvestri, Chendlik, Maisiri, Quinn

Attendance- 73