Blues 0 Hendon 1

A late goal from Kezie Ibe condemned the Blues to a first home defeat since late September in a match sponsored by Holmes Glazing. The goal came in the final thirteen minutes of a tense and tight tussle that always looked like being settled by a single goal. The Blues were missing Patrick Brothers through injury but welcomed back Danny Cunningham who missed the trip to Bromley as he was cup tied. The home side also had a very strong bench including Joe Francis who had missed the last seven games through injury against a Hendon side who earlier in the season had dumped the Blues out of the FA Cup. On a fine but cold evening, perfect for football, the home side, attacking the Fairground End, started at a blistering pace. Gareth Heath began tormenting the visitor’s rearguard, firing an early effort just wide then Leon Ottley-Gooch missed his kick from a Tom Winter cross inside the box as Leiston sought an early breakthrough. Gareth Heath’s movement had the visitors stretched and from a Heath created corner, Joe Jefford put an effort wide. Heath then raced clear but brave goal keeping from Ben McNamara snatched the ball from the Blues leading scorer. Fourth placed Hendon defended well against the early Blues pressure and began to exert themselves on the game. The visitor’s front pairing of Kezie Ibe and Leon Smith were beginning to cause the hosts problems and had Joe Jefford and Adam Tann working overtime at the heart of the Blues defence. The game was now evenly poised as we reached the half way stage of the half and the Blues were forced into a change after Tom Winter went down under a challenge to be replaced by Craig Parker after a delay with Winter heading off to the hospital for treatment. The change forced the Blues to re-shuffle again and this gave Hendon the impetus and for the remainder of the half the visitors took control keeping possession well and utilising the flanks to good effect. But despite their control they couldn’t fashion a clear cut opening so an entertaining half ended with no goals but no shortage of quality football on show.

Hendon were out for the second half a few minutes ahead of the Blues but it was Leiston who were quickly into their stride and quickly onto the front foot. Just like the opening to the first half the Blues were pressing high up the pitch but were unable to get a clear sight of goal with attempts at goal wide of the target. Hendon were working hard to contain the threat and on 69 minutes created the best chance of the game. Leon Smith showing great pace to get beyond Stuart Boardley and into the left hand side of the box but Danny Gay produced a high save at the expense of a corner, the first Hendon corner of the half. With the game now heading towards a draw Hendon took the lead on 77 minutes. An infringement wide on the visitor’s right flank brought a free kick that was delivered to the far post where Elliott Brathwaite headed goal wards. Danny Gay made a fine save followed by Adam Tann clearing off the line but in the ensuing scramble Kezie Ibe lashed home to open the scoring. Five minutes later good work from Gareth Heath at the near post saw an effort scooped inches wide and into the side netting as Leiston looked to respond. But with the home side attacking in numbers it left holes at the back and after Kezie Ibe had a header disallowed for offside, Sam Murphy curled an effort just wide. Leiston frantically pushed for a late equaliser in the five added minutes but a strong Hendon rearguard held firm to record three important points for the fourth placed visitors.

FT – Blues 0 Hendon 1

Blues line up – Gay, Saker, Boardley, Cunningham (Bullard 72 mins), Jefford, Tann, Winter (Parker 24 mins), Heath, Ottley-Gooch, Hubble, Mitchell (Mayhew 83 mins). Subs not used – Francis and Rossis.

Holmes Glazing Man of the Match – Adam Tann

Attendance - 150