Leadbeater, a couple of years ago an aspiring Guernsey FC midfielder, grew frustrated at St Peter’s last season and in the summer made a surprise move to the Corbet Field.
But a red card has cost him weeks of football this season and as Vale’s challenge on all fronts has faded, he decided to return to the red-and-white of Sylvans, and made an immediate impact.
Vale Rec started well seeing plenty of the ball, but the first clear chance for either side came in the 15th minute as a low shot from Zac Batiste on the left went across the goalkeeper and wide of the far post.
Up the other end of the pitch Tyrese Kelly got on the end of a header from Seb Skillen and headed the ball down towards the goal, but Sylvans goalkeeper Nick Batiste was there to collect his effort.
Sylvans started dominating more in the final 15 minutes of the first half.
In the 34th minute Jason Martin was forced into a great save at full stretch as James Ravenscroft broke through and shot from the edge of the box.
And it did not take much longer for the home side to take a deserved lead, when Euan Melrose beat Martin to Freddie Walker’s ball forward and rolled it into an empty net.
The start of the second half was quiet in terms of chances.
In the 74th minute Sylvans had a great chance through Ben Jones, whose effort from the edge of the box was saved well by Martin.
Mason Jones had a good chance for Sylvans minutes later as he went one-on-one with Martin, but his shot deflected off the post and out of play.
With just minutes to go Vale Rec found an equaliser as Dylan Graham, through on goal, was obstructed by Nick Batiste and referee Ben Boardman awarded Vale Rec a penalty which was buried by captain Damien Larkin.
But then deep into added time Leadbeater – whose last appearance for Vale Rec was only three weeks ago – found the back of the net after a goalmouth scramble to seal the win for Sylvans.
Sylvans’ success came at a cost to the club, however. Their commitment to the first team saw a shadow second team squad face up to the strongest fit 16 that North could put out on the 3G at the KGV and the Priaulx League leaders took the opportunity to cash in. Although they had only scored twice after half an hour, they then went goal crazy.
Harry Tough ended up with four, Jamie Smith three, and Ben Wilson and Archie Le Huray notched two apiece, and despite plenty of substitutions, there were also goals for Simon Marley, Keanu Marsh, River Marsh, Seb Mourant, Dave Rihoy, Owen Wallbridge, Keene Domaille and Liam Mahon.
In the day’s other tie, Rovers' first team beat Rangers' Railway side 5-1 at St Andrew’s.
