Report by Jools Thomas

Whilst results elsewhere were generally positive, FC could only garnish one point from their visit to Bell Close, a ground they have traditionally done well in against their hosts. Some debatable refereeing decisions especially in the first half only added to the frustration however a lack of application when presented with worthwhile chances was more of a telling factor.

The first chance of the game fell to the home side and Danny Watson should have done better when he glanced a header wide of the goal from a left sided cross. Brian Haule responded by firing in a low cross which both Lynton Goss and Bradley Wadkins failed to connect with as the Leighton defence stood like statues. FC started to settle and Ryan O’Toole saw his 8th minute shot blocked by resolute home defending. Again it was Aylesbury doing all the huffing and puffing and soon after Aston Goss played in Lynton Goss but a calmer head was required as the shot was wildly swung at before clearing the bar.

The home team took the lead on 20 minutes in rather farcical circumstances. An innocuous ball over the top created confusion between Kyle Anthony and keeper James Weatherill and as each looked to the other to claim responsibility, Leighton’s Mark Bunker nipped in to lift the ball via a slight deflection into an empty FC net.

Ryan O’Toole has another shot from outside the box as FC attempted to grab a quick equaliser but again the chance was squandered. A powerfully struck goal bound shot by Leighton’s Billy Lobjoit was blocked by Anthony and this was the precursor to FC’s equaliser. A drop of the shoulder on the outside of the box by Bradley Wadkins bamboozled Alvin Majoram, creating the space Bradley needed to fire the ball underneath keeper Zaki Oualah. FC were now in the ascendency and just on the cusp of the break Ryan O’Toole had his 3rd gilt edged chance of the game however once again the FC man failed to find the target.

A well struck volley by Danny Watson was the first clear-cut chance of the second half. Lynton Goss replied for the visitors but not for the first time in the afternoon, the shot cleared the bar when composure and concentration were required. Aston Goss was playing at full back due to the unavailability of Connor Baker and longer term injury worry Ben Stevens yet it was a successful day in an unfamiliar position. His endeavour could have been rewarded with a goal had his run and strike on 59 minutes not been well saved. Oualah again saved well a few moments later blocking Lynton Goss’ shot from an O’Toole reverse pass.

As the clock ticked down, Daniel Murphy was robbed in No Mans’ Land by substitute Ashley Farmer however the Leighton man could not take advantage as his shot failed to trouble Weatherill. Leighton’s last chance came with a couple of minutes left. Watson released a very dangerous set piece cross from the left that team mates were slow to react to.

As is often the case when a team is desperate for points, a golden chance presented itself deep into injury time. Substitute Gareth Price fizzed a testing cross right across the face of goal that fellow forwards failed to read before the ball was returned back into the danger zone with keeper and defender finally muddling together to cut out the danger.