Failed chances leave Leighton dwindling

With Potters Bar being an unpredictable team Leighton went into the game looking for at least a draw for an all important point to keep them in the league, with Sean Bishop away on holiday, Sam Chapman was fielded as his replacement.

Potters Bar kicked off the match and Leighton won themselves an early corner which saw them have a chance but Shane Bush couldn't get underneath the ball and it was easily dealt with. A free kick won by Kieran Doughty saw Jake Bewley put the perfect ball into the box but nobody challenged the keeper and the chance to score was lost.

A long throw from Bilal Hassan in the 15th minute saw Bush jump to win the header only for the referee to blow up because Bush had fouled the keeper in the process. A miss headed ball by Lee Close saw Dom Marsala streak forward with the ball to find Bushs' feet, he took a shot at goal but it bobbled left of the post.

With Leighton having all the attack it didn't look like Potters Bar would score, but sure enough in the 35th minute Grant Fryer allowed James Ewington to ease past him and score, putting Potters Bar into the lead.

A hard fought battle by Hassan in the 41st minute came to nothing when he crossed the ball into the box but there was no one to put it into the net.

A mistake by Jamie Bather saw Josh Hutchinson take a shot at goal, Kevin Marsh dived to the left but the ball found its way through, putting Potters Bar 2-0 up. With seconds of the first half left to play Enzo Silvestri and Chris Doyle got into a scrap which led to them both receiving a yellow card.

The start of the second half saw Leighton play some excellent football, Gareth Chendlik had a shot on goal but it was blocked. Marsala, Bewley and Hassan worked hard to try and create a chance and in the end Leighton won a corner but nothing became of it.

Sonny Feltwell let down his guard 54 minutes in and allowed Chendlik through, he only needed to touch the ball for it to land in the back of the net but he couldn't quite manage it. 59 minutes saw Tom Laxton head the ball powerfully towards Marsh who managed to put it over the bar.

Another chance for Leighton to score came when Marsala hit the ball from the corner and it looked like Fryer had his foot on the ball to put it in the net, however his kick made it bounce straight up into the keepers arms.

Leightons' first substitution came in the 69th minute when Craig Maisiri was brought on for Chendlik. 71 minutes saw Chris Doyle pick up the ball from Fryers' misjudged header and score Potters Bars' third goal.

Obstruction by Doughty saw him receive a yellow card in the 74th minute. A great ball by Hassan to Marsala, which he converted past the Potters Bars' defence, found Maisiri who followed the ball into the net making it 3-1.

Leightons' second substitution saw Bush replaced with Jerry Lyons who immediately put a good ball across to Marsala who managed to win a throw in.

Potters bar finally sealed the deal when Ewington scored their fourth goal in stoppage time after Fryer once again made a mistake. A late second yellow card was shown to Close which saw him dismissed from the pitch.

Leightons' next game is at home to Dunstable Town FC on 21st April, kick off 3pm.

By Hannah Sellman

Team lineup- Marsh, Bather, Bewley, Fryer, Chapman, Bush, Doughty, Silvestri, Chendlik, Marsala, Hassan

Subs- Maisiri, Quinn, Lyons

Attendance- 53

Photographs from this game can be found on Potters Bars' website- please follow the link below

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/pottersbartownfc/photos/pbtfc-v-leighton-town-fc-478357.html#