Four penalties leave Leighton stunned

After losing away to Potters Bar on Saturday it was time for Leighton to take on the top team. Matt Griggs was back from his time away and Enzo Silvestri was back after suspension and took on the role of captain.

Leighton kicked off and with only 12 minutes gone the ball flew at Bilal Hassans' face, ricocheting to Lee Roaches' feet who scored Dunstables' first goal. Leighton replied quickly to Dunstables goal with Shane Bush putting the ball through to Gareth Chendlik who came close to scoring.

Chris Marsh made a run past Grant Fryer in the 22nd minute, Kevin Marsh came for the ball leaving Hassan on the line but he couldn't stop Chris Marshs' shot and Dunstable went 2-0 up. Silvestri gave away a sill free kick right on the edge of the box and Adam Watkins came scarily close to scoring.

A low shot from Tony Burnett after getting past 3 Leighton players saw the ball go just wide of the post. 36 minutes had past and saw a cross from Dom Marsala look like it was going in but it fell just behind the goal.

A Dunstable corner saw Adam Watkins fire the ball at Marsh who thought he'd pushed it high enough over the bar, however it bounced off the bar to the feet of Lee Roache who fired the ball home to make it 3-0.

The finally kick off the first half saw Hassan play a lovely long ball through to Aiden Denton, who managed to manoeuvre himself to find Chendlik who should have put the ball in the net.

Dunstable kicked off the second half and Tony Burnett crossed the ball into the box which looked dangerous but Kristian Stephens had it covered. An early substitution for Leighton saw Silvestri replaced with Charlie Fryer.

A decent long distance shot from Kieran Doughty saw the ball only go slightly wide of the post but the tables turned quickly and once Dunstable were in possession of the ball the first penalty of the game were awarded.

Hassan was the guilty party however it was questioned whether a penalty was the right decision; thankfully Marsh saved Adam Watkins spot kick which gave Leighton some hope. Another Leighton substitution saw Craig Maisiri replace Jake Bewley.

Marsh went down holding his leg and received treatment before going on to save a shot from Leon Cashman. He then limped off the pitch and Griggs took his place in goal. Bush received a yellow card 71 minutes in when he went in too hard to get the ball back.

Leighton tried to make a come back and Marsala managed to do this in the 75th minute when Maisiri won a free kick on the edge of the box, after being pushed over but Moses Olaleye, making it 3-1.

The last 10 minutes of the game saw 3 penalties awarded to Dunstable, the first was when Bush tackled Terry Dixon in the box, Lee Roache stepped up to the spot, thankfully Griggs dived the correct way and Dunstable were denied yet another goal by a penalty.

The ball fell back into Leightons’ possession quickly, Hassan and Maisiri set the ball up perfectly for Chendlik who had a shot but the keeper caught it with ease.

An 84th minute penalty courtesy of Fryer saw Dixon score Dunstables' 4th goal. The 5th goal was once again scored from the spot by Dixon, after Denton pushed Adam Watkins in the box in the 90th minute.

5 goals weren't enough for Dunstable as they continued to try and boost their goal difference, shots from Leon Cashman and Adam Watkins were saved by Griggs in stoppage time, but Watkins didn't give up and went for goal again and found the back of the net making the final score 6-1.

With no substitutions left Dunstable opted to remove Tony Burnett from the pitch with only seconds to go after he picked up an injury, leaving the side with 10 men.

Leightons last game of the season is away to Egham Town FC Saturday 26th April, kick off 3pm.

By Hannah Sellman

Team lineup- Marsh, Hassan, Bewley, G.Fryer, Stephens, Bush, Marsala, Silvestri, Chendlik, Doughty, Denton

Subs- Griggs, Bather, Quinn, C. Fryer, Maisiri

Attendance- 127