Rugby take advantage of Leighton’s threadbare squad

Craig Wells headed into the fixture with Rugby Town on Saturday without Ryan Plowright, who put pen to paper on a deal with neighbours Dunstable Town.

Plowright signed for Leighton in December after spending three months on loan from Hemel Hempstead.

He wasn’t the only absentee though, with Shane Bush out injured and and Kristian Stephens back with the army after leave.

Sam Chapman also pulled up injured during the warm up leaving Leighton with only two men on the bench.

Leighton kicked off but it was Rugby who found themselves with the ball when David Kolodynski saw an open goal in front of him but some how managed to kick the ball straight over the bar missing a vital opportunity to take an early lead.

It was clear that Leighton were missing the head of Shane Bush with no one winning the balls in the air. If Leighton hadn’t got enough injuries already Enzo Silvestri pulled up with a painful groin and Ben Gallant started to struggle after straining his hamstring.

Dom Marsala and Gallant showed good team work when they managed to win themselves a corner in the 9th minute but unfortunately the ball ended up in Niall Coppers’ arms. Offside seemed to be Gareth Chendliks’ favourite position with every run he made the flag was being raised.

Rugby come close after 24 minutes when Justin Marsoem sent the ball skimming towards the goal however Matt Griggs had it covered before Ellis Myles had the chance to score.

There was a penalty scare when Griggs went for the ball taking Myles down but the official had already flagged for offside, dismissing the penalty appeal.

However only three minutes later, the referee was pointing to the spot when Grant Fryer fouled a Rugby man in the box and they were awarded a penalty. Seb Lake-Gaskin stepped up and fired the home side into the lead.

The second half saw Leighton make their first substitution with an injured Silvestri being replaced with George Quinn.

Rugby continued to sky the ball over the net but when the ball fell to former Leighton player Lewis McBride in the 50th minute he took time to compose himself and found the back of the net making the score 2-0.

They put the game out of reach 11 minutes later when when Griggs made a brilliant save only for him to turn his back once the ball had fallen to Kolodynski who slotted it home.

Only minutes later Lake-Gaskin scored the fourth and final goal for Rugby.

Rugby nearly made it 5-0 when Myles popped the ball into the net, though play was pulled back for offside.

Leighton were being run ragged but Sean Bishop, Fryer and Warren Plowright stood their ground and without them and Griggs the score line would have definitely been higher.

Even though Leighton were not going to pull back four goals it didn’t stop them from trying.

Jake Bewley made a skilful run down the centre of the pitch finding Chendlik who just didn’t have the strength to do anything with the ball.

Gallant once again proved his skills by managing to pass four of the opposition only for him to give the ball to Jack Downes who immediately lost possession.

Plowright took a long shot at scoring in the 78th minute when he powered the ball towards the net from the half way line only for it to be right off target.

Miscommunication was proving to be Leighton’s downfall in this game, and it almost gifted Rugby a fifth goal when Quinn and Craig Maisiri both stopped short of the ball letting the home side walk straight through the middle of them.

With five minutes to go, Bishop put a fantastic cross into the box but Chendlik couldn’t get his head on the ball, despite being one of Leighton’s taller players.

The last few minutes saw even more injuries for Leighton with Plowright landed awkwardly on his ankle and had to be substituted to make way for Jamie Bather.

Town’s already reduced squad are in action again tonight (Tuesday) against Aylesbury Town at Bell Close.