AFC Hornchurch 1 Blues 1

Leiston extended their unbeaten League run to five games after a frustrating afternoon at Bridge Avenue. The visitors fell behind to a hotly disputed penalty before skipper Joe Jefford powered home a headed equaliser, both goals coming early in the second half. The Blues made one enforced change from Tuesday night’s Suffolk Premier Cup win with Stuart Boardley serving a one match ban Danny Cunningham came back into the side with Scott Mitchell in an unaccustomed left back position. The hosts, last year’s beaten play off finalists, have had a tough quarter of the season and were still seeking a League home win. Leiston started well, Colchester United loanee defender Billy Roast somehow scooping Tom Winter’s header over the bar from a Danny Cunningham free kick literally from under his own cross bar. Minutes later Scott Mitchell found Conor Hubble on the edge of the box who played in Tom Winter whose first touch set him up but he fired over. The pitch was certainly not helping any neat football as both sides struggled in the early exchanges to encounter the sticky surface. On 16 minutes the home goal somehow remained intact as some good pressure from the visitors saw the ball sit up invitingly for leading scorer Gareth Heath but his sweet volley rattled against the inside of the post, eluded Tom Winter and fell into the arms of keeper Sam Mott. Three minutes later Tom Winter’s clever back heel released the galloping Patrick Brothers into the box and only a timely parry from keeper Sam Mott denied Gareth Heath a simple tap in at the far post. Conor Hubble then curled an effort just wide from the edge of the box as Leiston dominated the opening twenty minutes or so. The main threat of Hornchurch came via the long throw of Billy Coyne and from several of these throw ins, Leiston were forced to defend strongly in and around their own box. The best opportunity for the Urchins came on 28 minutes as Martin Tuohy got between defenders to latch onto Chris Bourne’s cross but his glancing header rolled wide of Danny Gay’s left hand post. We then saw a spell of home pressure without troubling Danny Gay as the Blues defence confidently repelled the host’s advances.

Early in the second half Leon Ottley-Gooch tested Sam Mott from distance and although the Urchins keeper spilled the effort, no Blue shirts were able to pounce on the loose ball. The deadlock was finally broken on 48 minutes and it was Hornchurch who grabbed it. Adam Tann headed clear a cross that was knocked back into the box with George Purcell going to ground from an alleged push from Conor Hubble. The Referee immediately pointed to the spot with the visitors incensed with the decision. The Hornchurch number nine Purcell picked himself up to send Danny Gay the wrong way from the spot. The goal sprung Leiston into life and Joe Jefford rose well to meet a Conor Hubble corner only for Chris Bourne to clear off the line. The Leiston skipper didn’t have to wait long though as on 58 minutes he drew the side’s level. Conor Hubble floated in a free kick that was met by a well timed run by Joe Jefford to plant his header into the corner of the net. Hornchurch then felt they should have been awarded a second penalty and they had a good shout as Martin Tuohy went down in the box but on this occasion nothing was given. Two minutes later the visitors were almost ahead. Sam Mott made a flying save to his right to keep out Tom Winter’s effort and from the resulting corner Chris Bourne again cleared off his own line this time from Leon Ottley-Gooch. As we entered the final quarter both sides sensed they could get something from the game but the heavy pitch was certainly tiring the players so with no clear cut chances, both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils.

FT – AFC Hornchurch 1 Blues 1

Blues line up – Gay, Saker, Mitchell, Cunningham (Mayhew 82 mins), Tann, Jefford, Winter, Heath, Ottley-Gooch, Hubble, Brothers. Subs not used – Bullard, Merritt, Parker and Rossis.

Goals – Purcell 48 mins (AFC Hornchurch), Jefford 58 mins (Leiston)

Man of the Match – Patrick Brothers

Attendance - 169