Hampton & Richmond Borough 4 Leiston 6

An amazing goal-fest at the Beveree with ten goals scored and the Blues recording a fine win on the road. The win ended a winless run of four games for the visitors, lifting them back into fifth spot. Stuart Boardley returned to the starting line up while Scott Mitchell returned to the bench after a three week lay off. The home side, sat in the bottom four places in the League, started strongly and were quickly on the offensive. Blues stopper Danny Gay was soon in the action parrying a point blank header from Ben Harris. All the early play was in the visitors final third so it was no real surprise when Hampton took a 10th minute lead. Danny Gay did well to deny Charlie Moone with a close range effort but the loose ball fell to Ben Harris who followed up to score. It was no more than Hampton deserved for their bright start and it looked at this stage that the visitors were in for a long night on the pitch as well as the 280 mile round trip off it. But after holding the hosts at bay the Blues equalised on 19 minutes. Whilst it was a goal out of nothing it was still an excellent strike as Michael Brothers let fly from 25 plus yards and his shot arrowed into the top right hand corner for his first League goal since his return to Victory Road. Now the pendulum swung to the visitors as the game became more controlled. Hampton were dealt a blow with less than ten minutes of the half remaining as scorer Ben Harris was forced to retire after landing heavily on his ankle. The mood worsened for the Beavers three minutes before half time as the visitors got their noses in front for the first time and it was another cracking effort. This time Joe Francis let fly with a left footed effort from 20 odd yards that found the net in the same corner as Michael Brothers earlier effort. But Leiston had barely celebrated the goal when Hampton equalised, the prolific Charlie Moone netting after a sweet turn left Joe Jefford trailing and then planted his shot beyond Danny Gay to end a breath taking half all square.

If the first half was a breath taking affair then the second was a complete whirl wind as we witnessed five goals in an amazing 13 minute spell. The visitors returned after the break all fired up and were quickly on the front foot. Just before the hour mark Leiston got themselves ahead again as Craig Parker provided a poacher’s finish after good work from Tom Winter and initially Michael Brothers. Six minutes later the Blues doubled their advantage from the penalty spot after the Referee adjudged Billy Jeffrey’s raised arms from Tom Winter’s shot to be hand to ball. Gareth Heath, who relinquished penalty taking duties to Joe Francis last Saturday, confidently dispatched the spot kick into the bottom right hand corner. It got even better for the visitors three minutes later as the Blues scored a fifth. Tom Winter netting a deserved goal and his first of the season after good work from Joe Francis inside the box. The goal feast wasn’t finished their as the hosts pulled it back to 5-3 when substitute Jesse Kewley-Graham curled home a beautiful free kick into the top right hand corner, giving Danny Gay no chance. But on 72 minutes Leiston hit a sixth as Joe Francis raced onto Joe Jefford’s pass and after a kind break off a defender, finished well for his second of the game. The visitors then introduced Scott Mitchell in place of Tom Winter for his first start for a few weeks as the game continued to provide great entertainment. With eight minutes remaining Hampton substitute Paris Mason scored with a neat finish to reduced the scoreline further and despite some nervous moments the Blues confidently held on to secure a fine away win.

FT – Hampton & Richmond Borough 4 Leiston 6

Blues line up: Gay, Saker, Boardley, M Brothers, Jefford, Tann, Winter (Mitchell 73 mins), Heath, Ottley-Gooch, Parker, Francis. Subs not used: Johnson, Merritt and Rossis.

Goals: Harris 10 mins, Moone 44 mins, Kewley-Graham 70 mins, Mason 82 mins (Hampton & RB), Francis 42 & 72 mins, M Brothers 19 mins, Parker 59 mins, Heath (pen) 65 mins, Winter 68 mins (Leiston)

Man of the Match: Tom Winter

Attendance: 232