Match Preview | Leighton Town (H)
The Yeltz welcome newboys Leighton Town as we look to end a run of successive defeats in the league
Head to Head
There have been none, on record anyway.
Russ Penn’s Thoughts
“It was a good win for us last Saturday against Basford, as all cup games are. I thought they acquitted themselves really well, but our level showed in the end with the possession we had and fitness levels shown. The start to the season was tough, and hopefully that’s past us. We know the expectation was on us, and that pressure was on last weekend, but we were still able to put in a good display.
“We welcome a Leighton side, who started the season with no fear and fed off the momentum of getting promoted last season. But they’ve come up against some really good teams in recent weeks, and have as a result found it hard. What they will be disappointed with is losing in the FA Cup last week. It means they will be hurting, but it also means it’s a good time for us. We have to stamp our mark on the game, and not worry about the way they approach the game.
“Now we have this cluster of home games, it’s important we use that to our advantage, and go on a positive run of form. Good performances breed confidence, and that results in wins and points on the board. It’s up to me and the players to do that, but that’s not helped by scars like the ones from the Redditch game. The last game we won though, which was needed even if it was against a step 4 side, but we moved the ball well which bodes well for the next few weeks. We know how amazing and important our record is here, because it’s catapulted us into the play-offs for the last two seasons. We need to win as many as possible here, and get some good points away from home to make sure we can achieve our target.”
Opposition Overview
Manager
Goalkeepers
Dan Hosier
The 24 year old signed in the summer of 2024 from step 4 side Harrow Borough. The keeper kept 14 clean sheets and made 37 league appearances last season, but has only made the one league appearance this season due to an injury picked up on the opening day.
Carlos Simeon
The 27 year old signed in the summer from step 5 Dunstable FC, as emergency cover for Hosier. The Seychelles international featured for Seychelles side Anse Réunion FC last season, before a very brief spell at Dunstable at the start of the season. He has featured in all but one of Leighton’s league games this season.
Defenders
Eniola Agemoh-Davies
The 23 year old signed in the summer from step 4 St Neots Town. The fullback made one league appearance for Real Bedford last season, before going on to make 20 in St Neots’ relegation to step 5 last season. He has scored once and featured in all of Leighton’s league games this season, half of which in the XI.
Jamie Breen
The 20 year old signed in December last year from step 4 Barton Rovers. The fullback made 10 league appearances for the latter, before the move to Leighton where he finished the season with 15 league outings. He has featured three times in their six league games this season, all of which off the bench.
Ethan Creary
The 23 year old signed in the summer of 24 from step 4 St Ives Town. The former Luton Town academy man featured in 38 of the Saints 42 step 3 matches last season on route to their relegation. He has featured in five of Leighton six league games this season, but only three have seen him in the XI.
Josh Flanagan
The 23 year old signed in the summer from Banbury United. The right sided defender featured in 37 league games for the Puritans last season. He has featured in all six of Leighton’s six league games this season, all but one of which in the XI.
Avan Jones
The 24 year old signed in the summer from step 4 Uxbridge. The fullback featured 16 times in the National League South for Enfield Town last season, before ending the season by making 13 league appearances for Uxbridge. He has started all six of Leighton’s league games this season.
Sam McClelland
The 24 year old signed in December 2024 from then step 4 Berkhamsted. The centre half scored six goals in 39 league appearances last season for Leighton. He has scored once and featured in five of their six league games this season, all but one of which in the XI.
Josh Odell-Bature
The 21 year old signed in the summer from step 4 Hanwell Town. The centre half made five league appearances for Hanwell last season, after a spell at step 3 with Hitchin Town in the 24/25 campaign. He has scored once and featured in three of Leighton’s six games this season, one of which in the XI.
Midfielders
Tolu Ikuynminu
The 25 year old signed in September 2024 from step 5 Potton United. The midfielder scored three goals in 39 of Leighton’s league games last season. He has featured in five of their six league games this season, all but one of which in the XI.
Charlie Pattison
The 25 year old signed in the summer of 2023 from step 4 Rushden & Diamonds. The midfielder scored five times in 39 league appearances last season for Leighton. He has started all six of their league games this season.
Luke Pyman
The 24 year old signed in the November 2024 from then step 3 Biggleswade Town. The forward thinking midfielder has played for Leighton previously, and made his debut for the Reds at 17 in 2019. The man with over 200 appearances for the club, scored three times and featured in all but one of their league games last season. He has featured in all six of their league games this season, all but one of which in the XI.
Jack Seyell
The 24 year old progressed through the Leighton academy. The midfielder scored five goals in 39 league games last season for the Reds. He has featured in all six of their league games this season, but only one has seen him in the XI.
Forwards
Mbunya Alemanji
The 22 year old signed today from St Ives. The winger and former AS Roma academy man made four league appearances for Hitchin at step 4 towards the start of last season, before spending time at NL South Maidstone United academy. He scored once in six games during a very brief spell at step 4 for St Ives this season, and will look to make his Leighton debut tomorrow.
Sydney Ibie
The 25 year old signed in the summer of 2025 from then step 5 Haringey Borough. The winger born in the Netherlands, was one of the key men to Leighton’s promotion last season, having scored 16 goals in 35 league games. He has scored once and started all six of their league games this season.
Sam King
The 25 year old signed in the summer of 2023 from step 5 Shefford Town & Campton. The midfielder made six league appearances for Leighton last season, also making four on loan at step 4 Biggleswade United. He has scored twice and featured in all six of Leighton’s league games this season, only two of which in the XI.
J’Ardell Stirling
The 25 year old signed in the summer of 2025 from step 4 Hendon. The striker scored once in 19 league games for Hendon last season, before making nine league appearances for Leighton. He has featured in five of their six league games this season, three of which in the XI.
Stefan Vukoje
The 24 year old signed in the summer from step 4 Welling United. The winger scored once in 18 league games for fellow step 4 Burgess Hill Town last season, before making six for Welling. He has scored once and featured in five of Leighton’s six league games this season, two of which in the XI.
Kyal Williams
The 24 year old signed in the summer of 2024 from Berkhamsted. The striker scored 18 goals and featured in all 42 of their Leighton’s games last season. He has scored once and started all six of their league games this season.