RELEGATION strugglers Bedfont added to Leighton Town’s misery on Saturday as the Reds went down 2-1 at The Orchard.
Hovering now just a point from safety in the Evo-Stick Division One Central, Town could slip into the bottom four on Tuesday night as 20th place side North Greenford United welcome basement side Marlow – a win for the home side would see them leapfrog Leighton and pile more pressure on new manager Craig Wells as they approach the all-important Christmas period.
And with a tough clash with fourth place Uxbridge at Bell Close next Saturday, Town will be lucky not to be in the relegation zone this time next week.
The trip to west London to take on Bedfont would have been a match Wells would have singled out as a must-win as Town look to create breathing room from the bottom four following last Saturday’s 3-1 win over Fleet Town.
But despite having the upper hand for much of the game, Leighton would ultimately return home defeated.
Town made several changes for the game – Shane Hill started in midfield along with Charlie Cunningham while Enzo Silvestri and Deji Ojuroye could only make the subs bench.
It looked as though it would be a long afternoon for the home side as Town came bursting out of the blocks and were immediately on the attack. Charlie Cunningham nearly headed Leighton into a first minute lead but saw his effort come agonisingly back off the crossbar.
Town were well in control, passing the ball with ease. Hill stung the palms of the Bedfont keeper with a strong drive from range after seven minutes, and Jake Bewley created space to fire in a low left footed shot but the keeper was able to dive to his right to make the save four minutes later. Lewis McBride also had an effort well saved as Town put pressure on their hosts.
But such has been Leighton’s luck this season, they fell behind in the 19th minute - very much against the run of play. After a break down the right, the ball was fired across to an unmarked Reis Stanislaus who had the simple task of slotting home past Leighton stopper Lee Clark.
It was a double blow for Town as Sam Chapman was withdrawn after picking up an ankle injury and Daniel Chambers replaced him.
The Reds continued to pile forward, this time searching for an equaliser. And it finally came five minutes before the break. Town won a corner after Chambers had a shot turned over and when Lewis McBride’s corner was knocked to the far post Deaton was on hand to head it home.
On the balance of play this was no less than Town deserved and they continued to look the better team without creating any good chances, having to settle for 1-1 at half-time.
But the second half would get off to the worst possible start as Town conceded a penalty five minutes after the restart. Wayne O’Sullivan stepped up to take it and Lee Clark guessed the right way, but it was just out of reach of the keeper as Bedfont retook the lead. From there, the home side were content to sit back and invite Leighton pressure as they went about finding yet another equaliser.
And they were given a glorious opportunity in the 64th minute as the referee awarded Leighton a penalty of their own. But Ben Gallant’s spot kick was brilliantly saved by the Bedfont keeper, who guessed the right way, diving low to his left to keep the ball out, much to the disbelief of the taker.
The missed penalty really took the wind out of Leighton’s sails. Despite keeping the lion’s share of possession and territorial dominance, Town could not fashion any genuine goal scoring opportunities.
The hosts were able to defend deep and frustrate Town’s attempts to at least get a draw from a game they should have won, but their efforts weren’t enough to get back on level terms as they slumped to a disappointing 2-1 defeat.
Overall, it was a good display from Leighton but once again they could not create enough chances to win the game in which they had looked the better organised side.
Bedfont were complimentary about Town’s performance on the day but Craig Wells would have expected at least a point out of the encounter following their first half dominance.
Leighton Town now face a tough fixture against high-flying Uxbridge at Bell Close next Saturday and will need a positive result if they are to get themselves towards safety before the new year.