fixtures and results | home page
Whyteleafe went down to Walton and Hersham in another high scoring game. Lots of chances were created at both ends but Leafe must tighten up their defence if they are to win more games. They cannot expect to score 5 every week, but conceding 20 in 5 games makes it very difficult to gain any points.
Leafe got of to a bad start when the visitors took a 4th minute lead. Michael Lidbury failed to hold onto a shot from Chris Wales, and Albjon Blluku, following up beat Lidbury, with Fred Fleming attempting to clear the ball off the line. Somewhat bizarrely, play carried on until the ball went out for a throw. The referee and the assistant then consulted and belatedly awarded a goal. 2 minutes later the hosts were fortunate when they gave the ball away to Phil Williams but he missed a good opportunity. Wales then struck a free kick just over the bar.
Leafe's first good chance came in the 11th minute. Fleming headed down a Dan Frith free kick into the path of Ryan Thomas who fired over the bar. Ten minutes later a cross from Sam Akokhia found Lee Stripp on the edge of the box. His shot was well saved by Sheikh Ceesay, tipping it round the post. Chris O'Flaherty took the corner, it was partially cleared to the edge of the box from where Danny Oakins volleyed wide.
The visitors caught the hosts defence napping in the 24th minute. A long through ball found Gary Frewen in acres of space and he slotted the ball past the advancing Lidbury for their second goal.
A minute later O'Flaherty found Stripp on the edge of the box with a cross but his shot went over the bar. Another cross from O'Flaherty in the 29th minute found Oakins in the box. He crossed to Fabian Batchelor who's header went just wide. 3 minutes from half time, Williams sent Graham Purdy clear but Lidbury was quickly out to block his shot, and just before half time Blluku had a good chance, this time Oakins was back to block his shot.
O'Flaherty had a great chance to equalise in the 51st minute when he was brought down in the box. He got up to take the spot kick but it was saved by Ceesay. 7 minutes later Frith saw a 40 yard effoert that was curling into the top corner tipped over by Ceesay.
Walton and Hersham extended their lead in the 64th minute when Wales headed home from a free kick, and 5 minutes later they went further ahead through a wonderful strike from 30 yards out by Frewen.
Whyteleafe were awarded another penalty in the 80th minute for a foul on Fleming. This time Frith took the kick and blasted it into the back of the net to reduce the deficit but it was too little too late. Thomas had a chance to pull another back in the 82nd minute but shot wide. The visitors comfortably held on to their lead in the closing minutes to clinch the three points, going close to adding another in the 86th minute when Jean-Michel Siguere hit the bar.
Whyteleafe: Lidbury, Akokhia (Webster 74), Frith, Fleming, Brown, Stripp, Oakins, Ogunseye (Aldous 49), Batchelor, Thomas, O'Flaherty (Graham 70).