For those of you who follow non-league football, particularly in the Home Counties, you may remember a nine-game winning run Leighton Town went on at the back end of last season.
The Bedfordshire-based Southern League Division One Central club put together a handsome string of results which gave them a glimmer of hope of sneaking into the play-offs. Those faint dreams were dashed when fellow play-off hopefuls, Thame United, beat the ‘Red Army’ at their fortress, Bell Close, by two goals to one.
Neither side made the play-offs—Hadley of North London pipped the two to the final position—but out of the pair, it’s Leighton who have started this season in remarkable fashion.
Paul Reed, the man at Leighton’s helm, alongside his trusted staff including assistant manager Kyle Durcan, have assembled a squad capable of winning any step four division in the country. We had the pleasure of speaking to Reed in the summer.
Summer departures saw a change in goalkeeper, with George Rose departing for Dunstable Town, whilst six-foot-six former Northwood stopper Dan Hosier filled Rose’s shoes.
The departure that raised the most eyebrows was that of captain and striker Lynton Goss, who left for newly-relegated Biggleswade Town. Many questioned who could replace such a prolific forward, but when Sydney Ibie arrived, those fears quickly disappeared.
Ibie, who has played professionally for Dagenham & Redbridge, joined the Town to reignite his passion for football—and it’s safe to say he’s done just that. Already into double figures for the season, Ibie looks set to surpass Goss’s previous tallies by quite some distance.
A hit-and-miss pre-season and a tricky FA Cup tie against step five Benfleet didn’t suggest a promotion challenge was on the cards. Yet any doubts were soon dispelled as Town dispatched Ware and Thame United 4–1 in their opening two league games.
Since those early fixtures, Leighton have been knocked out of both FA competitions—but manager Reed will no doubt welcome the chance to focus solely on the league, while still keeping one eye on the Beds Senior Cup after a first-round win away at Arlesey.
In recent weeks, Leighton have been in exemplary form, winning their last four league games, scoring 13 times and conceding just twice. Playing free-flowing football and remaining defensively solid, they now sit in pole position with two games in hand over their rivals.
That fine run coincided with the arrival of renowned striker BJ Christie. After leaving Berkhamsted—who were promoted last year—Christie brings a wealth of experience, goals, and a winning mentality from his time at AFC Dunstable and beyond.
Christie’s arrival has only strengthened the attacking options. Godlove Oppong is back amongst the goals, Kyal Williams continues his fine form on the right, and the combination of Rio Da Silva and Leo Farruch on the left has been tormenting defences.
Despite being without last season’s player of the year Anthony Ball, homegrown full-back Luke Pyman has slotted in seamlessly, underlining the squad’s depth and resilience.
One of Reed’s standout summer signings, Pap Jawara, has impressed in midfield with his blend of technical quality and determination. Alongside former MK Dons player Charlie Pattison, the pair have formed a formidable partnership driving Town’s title charge.
Leighton’s biggest test so far came on Tuesday night against Biggleswade Town. Former captain Goss returned to Bell Close in green rather than red—but it was his old side who came out on top.
Town stormed into a 3–0 lead within 22 minutes, with Leo Farruch running riot down the flank. Though Biggleswade clawed two back before half-time, Leighton’s defensive grit saw them hold on for a deserved 3–2 win.
Reed knows this is no time for complacency. With fixtures coming thick and fast, Leighton’s two games in hand could prove decisive in stretching their lead at the top.
Next up is a trip to London Lions, who themselves come off a confident 4–1 win over Aylesbury United. But Leighton will travel knowing that if they continue their current form, promotion is well within their grasp.
For the first time in their 140-year history, Step Three football is a realistic destination. The journey continues—but Reed’s Red Army are marching firmly in the right direction.
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