Blues 2 Wingate & Finchley 0

Leiston recorded their first ‘double’ of the season after seeing off sixth placed Wingate & Finchley at Victory Road in a match sponsored by Bill Muttock. Both the goals came via the heads of centre half pairing Joe Jefford and Adam Tann and both from Conor Hubble corners. The main talking point pre match amongst the home supporters was the return of midfielder Danny Cunningham who signed overnight following his release from Needham Market. Cunningham started the match in central midfield in place of the suspended Scott Mitchell while Leon Ottley-Gooch started at right back in place of the other suspended player, Blake Saker. There was also no place for the injured Joe Francis while Conor Hubble started his last game at the end of his one month loan. On a slick surface enhanced by the recent rain the Blues almost made a blistering start, Conor Hubble’s teasing left wing cross was prodded over by Tom Winter with just 45 seconds played. Leiston looked very lively in the opening minutes but almost fell behind on six minutes but Danny Gay flung to his left to keep out Rob Laney’s header from a Richard Graham cross. But Leiston were increasingly beginning to dictate the game with some excellent football. A short corner routine on 9 minutes saw Craig Parker side foot just wide and some frantic defending was required to keep the marauding Patrick Brothers and Tom Winter at bay down the flanks. The deadlock was finally broken on 17 minutes and it was no surprise it came from the hosts. Skipper Joe Jefford timed his run across the box perfectly to meet a Conor Hubble corner and head home via a slight deflection. Leiston’s neat passing with very pleasing on the eye as they utilised the wide spaces brilliantly. But with just the one goal in their locker it was always a dangerous lead and on the half hour mark the unmarked Marc Weatherstone should have done better from Richard Graham’s corner, instead heading well wide. Seven minutes later this was punished as a near carbon copy of the opening goal saw the Blues move two goals ahead. This time Adam Tann timed his run perfectly to meet a Conor Hubble corner and send a header across goal and into the far corner. A minute later it should have been three. Gareth Heath and Danny Cunningham exchanged passes just inside the Wingate half with Cunningham’s neat footwork releasing a pass for Gareth Heath to race clear but as he bore down on goal he uncharacteristically put his effort wide. Danny Cunningham had seamlessly moved into the holding midfield role, breaking up play and rarely wasting a pass while young Conor Hubble was giving another telling display and from another one of his left wing corners four minutes from the break, Adam Tann rose at the far post but saw his header crash against the bar. The half time whistle brought loud applause from a very appreciative crowd having witnessed a fine opening half from the home side.

Wingate resumed the second period more adventurous, quickly closing down and forcing the home side deeper into their half. Expecting Wingate to attack the Blues sat deeper soaking up their pressure and this ploy seemed to work as only a clever back-heel from Ahmet Rifat looked to trouble the home goal in this spell with Danny Gay saving low on his line. The first real foray for the hosts came on the hour mark at the expense of a corner that was delivered by Danny Cunningham and met by the leaping Adam Tann only to see his goal bound header deflected and roll agonisingly wide. Five minutes later some clever, patient build up saw the Blues cleverly find Tom Winter inside the box who neatly side stepped a defender but saw his shot well saved by Bobby Smith. Minutes later the unmarked James Kaloczi headed wide a Richard Graham corner as the visitors still posed a threat. The returning Danny Cunningham left the field to great reception for a job well done upon his return to be replaced by Danny Block as the hosts closed out the game in the closing minutes to record a fourth successive League victory.

FT – Blues 2 Wingate & Finchley 0

Blues line up – Gay, Ottley-Gooch, Boardley, Cunningham (Block 78 mins), Jefford, Tann, Winter (Merritt 90 mins), Hubble, Heath, Parker, Brothers. Subs not used – Mayhew and Rossis.

Goals – Jefford 17 mins, Tann 41 mins (Leiston)

Bill Muttock Man of the Match – Adam Tann

Attendance - 174