It was the classic game of two halves in this Southern League clash at Bell Close, a venue which has proved to be a happy hunting ground for FC over the years. Two goals of real quality, two very loud penalty appeals and another missed penalty were the talking points in a match which saw FC further improve their league position and push Leighton deeper into relegation trouble.

Jake Bewley was the first player to attempt to make a name for himself. His cut in from the left hand side after five minutes created confusion in the FC defence and only the alertness of Steve Perkins prevented further damage. A couple of minutes later and FC enjoyed their first opportunity; a well struck shot Gareth Price half volley from James Weatherill’s long distance kick. Kieron Doughty was well shackled by youngster Robert Tomlin all evening however he did enjoy one decent opportunity in the first quarter of an hour but his chest height shot was easily saved by James Weatherill. On twenty five minutes Doughty was in on the action playing in Dom Marsala and once again the effort was thwarted as the shot was blocked before being cleared to safety.

Aiden Denton then tried to open the scoring but his powerful effort whizzed the wrong side of the post. Shortly afterwards Leighton had a strong case for a penalty. It was Doughty again who heavily involved but the referee judged the tackle to have been clean and waved play on. Stuart Deaton, making his way forward from the centre of defence, produced a cultured shot that Weatherill gathered securely. Bradley Wadkins led what was a rare FC attack towards the end of the 1st half however his shot lacked power and whistled past the post. Deaton returned the match to its status quo heading over from a lofted free kick as half time beckoned.

Brian Haule had a decent chance early in the second half with a chipped shot and then Kevin Mealor and Gareth Price linked up well with Gareth producing a low shot which home keeper Matt Griggs gathered. FC took the lead soon afterwards. Kevin Mealor collected the ball on the edge of the Leighton area, turned and planted a beautiful strike just out of the grasp of Griggs and into the bottom corner of the goal. FC were beginning to get into their stride and looked to attack at every opportunity. Brian Haule had another half chance after receiving a knock down from Steve Perkins. Leighton then had one of their few breaks of the second half. Again it was Kieron Doughty on the ball however a block from Simon Sweeney took the sting from the shot and Weatherill was able to gather without too much fuss.

Gareth Price broke forward with twenty minutes to go and Griggs fashioned a fine stop to prevent another goal before the second huge penalty claim of the evening. Lamar Simpson was the man involved and again the referee judged the tackle to be fair and waved play on. FC were attacking at will. Haule and Perkins had fair chances to extend FC’s lead before the team grabbed the second goal they had been threatening to score for so long. Gareth Price received the ball just inside the Leighton half and his blistering pace saw him stroll past the full back before unleashing a perfectly placed strike across goal and into the bottom corner of the net.

Ollie Hogg played in Lamar Simpson as FC threatened to run riot but Lamar’s shot flicked the round side of the post. Lamar then turned provider with Brian Haule guilty of a glaring miss, blasting the ball over from three yards when just a calm sidefoot home would have been enough.

As the Aylesbury faithful waited expectantly for the final whistle, Leighton attacked and were awarded a penalty after Dom Marsala was felled in the box. Dom elected to take the penalty himself and he saw his effort saved by James Weatherill before he blasted the rebound high and wide of the net much to the relief of the Aylesbury stopper.

Line Up:
1. James Weatherill
2. Robert Tomlin Man of the Match '90
3. Conner Baker
4. Ollie Hogg
5. Steve Perkins
6. Simon Sweeney
7. Jamie Rudd Sub Off '45
8. Bradley Wadkins
9. Brian Haule Sub Off '85
10. Gareth Price Goal '87
11. Kevin Mealor Goal '55

Used Subs:
12. Lamar Simpson Sub On '45
14. Jacob Lowe Sub On '87

Unused Subs:
17. Fraser McLachlan
15. Sam Bateman
16. Greg Copcutt