Leighton up their game to defeat Marlow

After a disheartening performance from Leighton on Saturday to Ashford, it was time for them to pick themselves up and dust themselves off to try and prove a win could be achieved. Leighton welcomed back Kieran Doughty who previously was unable to play due to work commitments and the difference he made was noticeable.

Leighton kicked off strongly but soon the main man for Marlow, Jahson Downes took a pot shot at goal after having made his way past Grant Fryer, but Bradley Kirkwood had no trouble saving the weak attempt.

Warren Plowright and Stuart Deaton then went on the rampage defending the ball like there was no tomorrow working good together at the back. A long range shot from Sean Bishop was Leightons' first chance of scoring however the ball went flying over the bar.

During the game it became obvious that neither Dennis Fenemore or Aiden Denton were aware of what offside actually meant, constantly breaking across the line, too eager to get the ball. These offsides gave Marlow a chance to get back into the game allowing them to pass the ball with ease without too much interference from Leighton.

In the 21st minute it was clear that Marlows' keeper Erno Bustyan was injured as he couldn't reach a pass back and the ball went out for a Leighton corner. With Leighton seemingly to be on top of the game it was a shock when in the 28th minute Jahson Downes managed to glide past Jake Bewley and found the back of the net, putting Marlow in the lead.

35 minutes gone and Leighton had the chance to pull a goal back when Doughty crossed the ball to Denton but he obviously found himself bewildered that the goal was open and skied the ball over the bar.

Leighton kept firing the ball at Bustyan hoping that he'd make a mistake and he had to make two sharp saves when Fryer and Shane Bush both tried to head the ball home. Finally Leightons luck changed and on the stroke of half time Bush and Denton worked well together to find Fenemore who tapped the ball into the net, making it 1-1.

The second half saw even more excitement when 49 minutes in Bewley put the ball across to Fenemore and once again he did his magic and Leighton took the lead. Leightons third goal came minutes later when Fenemore secured himself a hat trick, making it 3-1 to Leighton.

Kirkwood unfortunately hit the ground after taking a goal kick, twisting his ankle and play was stopped while he was treated, but like a trooper he carried on playing for the rest of the game. Dom Marsala carried the ball well through out the game, making his all important passes stick allowing the rest of the players to find their positions.

61 minutes found Fenemore with the ball again, he managed to weave his way through to find Doughty who put the ball past the keeper who just stood still. It was time for Leighton to make a change bringing off Fenemore replacing him with Craig Maisiri.

Deaton showed his experience when he managed to keep Marlow at bay whilst Kirkwood gather the ball in his arms. It seemed that Marlow were starting to pick up the pace and Leighton weren't in possession of the ball as much anymore and this resulted in a second goal for Marlow, scored by Jon Bennet.

A second substitution for Leighton saw Denton be replaced by Gareth Chendlik. Only having been on the pitch a few minutes Chendlik picked himself up a yellow card for putting the ball in the back of the net, after the official had flagged for offside.

Leighton kept fighting till the end making sure Marlow couldn't nick the win The last few minutes saw Plowright, after receiving the ball from Chendlik, head the ball into Bustyan hands and Bush made a beautiful tackle, but once the ball reached Doughty he could only put it over the bar.

Leightons next game is at home to Chertsey 15th March kick off 3pm.

By Hannah Sellman

Team lineup: Kirkwood, Fryer, Bewley, Plowright, Deaton, Bishop, Doughty, Bush, Fenemore, Marsala, Denton

Subs- Griggs, Downes, Maisiri, Chendlik

Attendance- 60