FC and Leighton arrived at Haywood Way for this six pointer and whilst not yet a relegation battle, there was certainly a pressure on FC to get something from the game. As it was the team did not disappoint. They were out of the blocks quickly and three goals, a clean sheet and a much improved all round performance will have given FC boss Craig Faulconbridge a much more comfortable Tuesday night’s sleep.

Almost from the kick off, Gareth Price and then then Jack Thomson had close range chances to score after good Jerome Federico work on the right. Lee Grant was the next man to just miss out, heading over a Ben Steven’s cross. It wasn’t to be long before FC took the lead however. A long up field punt by Rhys Marshall somewhat fortuitously found Gareth Price. His quick timed header deceived Town’s Matt Griggs who found himself in no man’s land watching the ball loop over him into an empty net.

On 10 minutes Town almost grabbed an an equaliser. Shane Bush got in a decent header but it cleared the post. Jerome Federico went up the other end. A terrific save by the keeper was all that prevented FC extending their lead. Again the action returned down the other end as Town came more into the action. Bush again snapped at a chance but it instead cleared the bar. On 29 minutes a smart Jack Thomson effort looked to be creeping under the bar until the keeper neatly flicked it over the bar.

Yet another Shane Bush chance went begging for the visitors on 39 minutes and then Sean Bishop made a good run at Rhys Marshall as Leighton finished the half strongly.

The second half was only a few minutes old when Gareth Price’s right wing shot just cleared the post. Soon after the same man linked up with Federico and after good wing play, the ball found its way to Ollie Hogg who crashed the ball home for 2-0 with the Leighton defence in disarray.

Craig Maisiri for the visitors attempted to reply soon afterwards with a snapshot which just cleared the post. Aiden Denton had yet another chance for Town which again went begging. FC were then awarded a penalty midway through the 2nd half after a foul in the box. Gareth Price may have had a rush of blood to the head as he smacked the ball over the bar. It was not one of Gareth’s finer FC moments but then amazingly another penalty was awarded on 75 minutes when Federico was this time fouled in the box. Jerome took the spot kick but again it was missed, this time the kick was low but the keeper managed to turn it onto a post.

It wasn’t the disaster it could have been as eight minutes from times a delightful free kick was met by Mr Consistent Ben Stevens who leapt like a salmon to power home a header for goal number 3.

Chances for Sonny French and Jerome Federico, who didn’t stop running all evening, could have increased the score further and as the team and management marched back to the dressing rooms with deserved applause from supporters ringing in their ears, they could be well satisfied with a well-deserved three points.

Line Up
1. Rhys Marshall.
2. Danny Dyer.
3. Matt Hall.
4. Kwasi Frempong
5. Lee Grant.
6. Ben Stevens. Goal '82
7. Sonny French. Sub Off 87
8. Jack Thomson.
9. Gareth Price. Goal '9 Yellow Card '76
10. Ollie Hogg. Goal '55 Sub Off '77
11. Jerome Federico. Man of The Match '90

Subs Used
12. Davis Haule. Sub On '77
15. Alex Kedzierski. Sub On '87

Subs Not Used
17. Elias Armah-Tackie.
14. Brian Haule.
16. Lamar Simpson.