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Whyteleafe go into the draw for the next round following an excellent victory at South Midlands league side Leighton Town.
Stuart Massey’s side had the better of the early exchanges. Jordan Wilson won a corner in the 3rd minute. This was partially cleared to Jason Goodchild who put Rhys Coleman clear. His shot across the face of goal went just beyond the far post.
‘Leafe then took the lead in the 6th minute. Paul Scott was brought down in a central position 25 yards from goal and Mark Hammond hit a superb free kick, curling it into the top right hand corner of the goal. Three minutes later Fred Fleming got in a shot from another Hammond free kick that was well saved by Kevin Higby.
Leighton gradually fought their way back into the game and in the 15 minutes before half time, created many chances, especially following left wing runs that opened up the visitors’ defence. Aston Goss took on, and beat the defence several times. In the 30th minute he was brought down on the edge of the box but Dennis Fennermore hit the free kick straight into the wall. Following another good run in the 35th minute from Goss, Fennermore was sent clear and Rob O'Hara was quickly out to save from close range.
Three minutes later, Fleming managed to block another close range effort from Goss before Goss set up Fennermore again, but once again O'Hara made a point blank save. Four minutes later O'Hara made another good save to deny Fennermore following another good build up. A minute later Fennermore missed a great chance, heading wide from another Goss cross.
‘Leafe were relieved to hear the half time whistle having survived a period of intense pressure.
Leighton continued to have the better of the game for a short period after the break. Walker found Ben Porter in the box in the 49th minute. His shot was saved by O'Hara. Stuart Massey switched Rhys Coleman to right back to negate the threat of Goss on the left wing and this largely shut out the home side's biggest threat. With Ryan Royston winning everything in the air in the middle, the home side found chances harder to come by. Fennermore won the ball on the left in the 52nd minute and his cross was touched by Porter, but he couldn't get enough onto the ball and it drifted beyond the far post. In the 62nd minute, Leighton took a quick free kick, finding Porter in the box. His shot was deflected but O'Hara reacted well to make the save.
Whyteleafe thought they had gone two up in the 63rd minute when Rhys Coleman headed home from another Hammond free kick, but the referee awarded a free kick for an off the ball foul by Fleming. Leighton's chances seemed to disappear a minute later when they lost their leading scorer Fennermore, who had scored eight in their previous four games. He fell awkwardly attempting to lob O'Hara and had to be helped off the pitch.
‘Leafe made even more sure two minutes later when Wilson made a strong run down the right. His excellent cross into the box found Scott who slotted the ball home from close range. Whyteleafe were now on top and with the home team forced to push players forward, chances were coming more frequently to the visitors.
In the 77th minute they put the game beyond any doubt. Another Hammond free kick from the right this time found man of the match Royston in the box. His firm header gave Higby no chance as it flashed into the back of the net. Danny Oakins nearly added a spectacular fourth volleying over from a Dan Aldous cross in the 87th minute.
Leighton had a good chance for a consolation in stoppage time, but O'Hara made a good save from Butler.
Whyteleafe: O'Hara, Aldous, Royston, Fleming, Coleman (R), Wilson, Goodchild, Hammond, Coleman D (Oakins 76), Scott, Butler (McDowell 60).