Leighton Town’s 5-1 thrashing of Stotfold comes with a haul from ripening Jake Watkinson.

All Gary Flinn can hope for now Town are out of the FA Trophy is a play off place. Today 9th in the league they played 13th placed Stotfold. . Within one minute things looked positive when Town took the lead with a goal from Ben Farrell. 15 mins later Leighton achieved another run into goal and nearly scored a second. Pressure and Leighton dominance of the early stages of the match continued a few mins later with another shot and miss close to the Stotford net. Stotford playing in yellow and black started to claw their way back into the match with more runs and attempts on goal as half time got closer. Flinn not in the dug out but in the stands due to penalisation due to his recent cup match side-line clash with the referee look relieved when the whistle finally went and Leighton were able to go in for their break holding onto their one nil lead. Leighton came out fighting with three consecutive runs and shots on goal, the end one hitting the cross bar in the immediate opening of the second half. Disappointment was quickly rewarded with a second going in for Leighton in the third minute from number nine, Jake Watkinson. What followed from then on was pure magic from Watkinson who went on to score a haul of goals as Leighton roared to a 5-0 lead. Several good attempts by Stotford to get back into the match at the start of the second half were quickly deflated by Watkinson's second half haul. Each goal adding to the nails growing in Stotford's match coffin. Stotford's consolation goal came in the second minute of extra time. This match will be less remembered for Leighton Town's convincing

5-1 victory but more for the coming of dynamic play and goal scoring form from key non league striker, Jake Watkinson. Watkinson came close to scoring in the two Swan's finals at Wembley this year against Ascot Utd and with Littlehampton Town in 2022 which must have caused frustration for him in the two great memorable MK non league Wembley finals. Today's performance confirms he is now coming to fruition with a siginificant goal scoring ripening as Town move up to 6th and look menacing as they are set visit top of the league Bedford Town this Saturday.