BAN PRAYERS FOR HODGSON

Hodgson scored both goals in a 2-1 win over Wollaton Reserves that extended Leisure’s lead to nine points at the top of the Notts Senior League’s First Division.

They took his seasonal tally to 25 – the best in the league – and he is seen as a key man in their pursuit not only of the title but also of the league cup and Notts FA Intermediate Cup.

However Hodgson was sent off while playing for his Sunday club, Plough Barflies, two weeks ago, so Leisure are praying that any subsequent ban does not keep him out of action for too many games.

Their latest victory set a new league record for the number of games won the trot (13).

They didn’t play well against a hard-working Wollaton side. But a double from man-of-the-match Hodgson inside the opening half-hour was enough to take the points.

First he chased down a backpass and the goalkeeper’s attempted blasted clearance rebounded off him and nestled in the far corner of the net.

And then Simon Marlow combined well in the box with Ash Marshall, who was hacked down from behind for a penalty that Hodgson calmly slotted low to the ‘keeper’s right.

Leisure boss Jez Corthorn changed his team’s shape and formation at half-time in a bid to improve their performance.

But it didn’t have the desired effect and they were abject, despite gilt-edged chances early in the half for Danton Lockwood, Ash Marshall, Jonathan ‘Toddy’ Wass and Dan Lee, who hit a one-on-one straight at the ‘keeper.

At the other end, Wollaton had two efforts cleared off the line by Andy Shaw before a strong finish in which they deservedly pulled a goal back with a neat finish from Elliott.

n LEISURE LINE-UP (4-4-2) – Waters/ Harrison R. Lockwood Hulme S. Sherriff/ Shaw Lee Wass Marlow S./ Marshall Hodgson.