Heath double helps the Blues bounce back

The Blues returned to winning ways with a thumping win over winless AFC Hornchurch. The home side rattled in four unanswered goals with a perfect response to Saturday’s defeat at home to Dulwich Hamlet in a match sponsored by Ray Millard Insurance Brokers. The side was somewhat changed with Joe Jefford making his first full appearance of the season at centre half with Adam Tann slotting into midfield, Scott Mitchell was at right back with Leon Ottley-Gooch preferred in attack. The home side began attacking the Fairground End and after a relatively slow start almost took an 8th minute lead but Tom Bullard was unable to make full contact from a Stuart Boardley corner despite a couple of attempts at the ball. The visitors responded with Phil Starkey bursting into the box from a quick throw but his shot was deflected behind by Joe Jefford for the first corner of the evening that was punched clear under pressure from Danny Gay. The Urchins were beginning to raise the tempo and were denied an opener by a double save from Danny Gay on 16 minutes. Craig Parker was robbed in central midfield by Moses Ashikodi who fed Frankie Curley just inside the box. His shot was well saved by Danny Gay who was quickly on his feet to thwart Tuohy at the expense of a corner. Two minutes later Gay excelled further with a triple save to deny the visitors. The first from a stinging volley from Junior Dadson from the edge of the box and then in the ensuing goalmouth scramble both Tom Davis and Frankie Curley were denied by Gay from inside the six yard box. With the visitors pressing it was somewhat against the run of play when Leiston took a 20th minute lead. Joe Francis and Craig Parker did well down the left with Parker racing into the left hand side of the box before pulling the ball back for Gareth Heath to side foot firmly into the bottom right hand corner. Whilst the opener may have been against the run of play what followed for the remainder of the half was not as the home side dominated. A crude challenge on Scott Mitchell left the ex-Lowestoft Town midfielder receiving lengthy treatment but no Hornchurch player was punished for the offence. Stuart Boardley exacted his revenge by beautifully curling the 22 yard free kick over the wall and into Sam Mott’s left hand post for a text book free kick. The limping Mitchell was then replaced by Blake Saker as Leiston continued to turn the screw. Leon Ottley-Gooch was inches wide from adding a third from an outstanding delivery from Stuart Boardley and then the Leiston centre forward headed wide another teasing cross this time from Joe Francis. The home side were certainly getting a lot of joy down the visitor’s right flank and after Luke received the first yellow of the evening for a frustrated challenge on Francis, Craig Parker fired wide from Boardley’s free kick. The outstanding deliveries into the visitor’s box deserved further goals but as the half time whistle sounded the home fans had to settle for just two goals to mull over their half time refreshment.

The visitors introduced both Courtney Homans and the much travelled George Purcell at the break and the former Braintree Town and Margate forward Purcell, almost made an immediate impact. Saker felt he was impeded by Purcell wide on the left but Purcell raced clear and saw his effort only clear Gay’s bar by a foot. Hornchurch had shown their intentions and only a super save from Gay on 58 minutes kept the home goal intact. The Leiston keeper wasn’t sure whether to come or go as Moses Ashikodi broke free on the right and as he back-tracked he made a fine save to deny the Hornchurch striker. From the resultant corner Gay was at his best again to tip over Martin Tuohy’s close range header. Leiston seemed happy to sit deeper than the opening half, inviting Hornchurch on but defending stoutly to soak up the pressure. This saw a sustained period of possession for the visitors without really testing the home defence who looked solid throughout. As the game entered the final quarter the home side returned to the offensive. Cliff Akurang entered the fray at the expense of the hobbling Tom Winter and was soon involved, setting up Gareth Heath who galloped clear on the right before finding Joe Francis who teed up Craig Parker on the edge of the box but Mott was equal to Parker’s effort low to his right. Adam Tann then saw Mott block his header on the line from a Stuart Boardley corner as Leiston were now in complete control. As the game entered the closing moments the home side added two further goals to put some gloss on the performance. In the last seconds of normal time substitute Michael Brothers crossed and Cliff Akurang flicked on for Francis to set up Gareth Heath who swept home with his left foot from eight yards, his fourth goal of the season. Then in the third minute of six minutes of stoppages the Blues added a fourth with Cliff Akurang glancing home Craig Parker’s header from another well delivered Stuart Boardley corner for his first goal for the club. Three well earned points that lifted Leiston up into fourth spot in the early Premier Division table.

FT – Leiston 4 AFC Hornchurch 0

Blues line up: Gay, Mitchell (Saker 25 mins), Boardley, Tann, Bullard, Jefford, Winter (Akurang 71 mins), Heath, Ottley-Gooch (M Brothers 85 mins), Parker, Francis. Subs not used: P Brothers and Rossis.

Goals: Heath 20 & 90, Boardley 25, Akurang 90+3

Yellow cards: Jefford & Bullard (Leiston). Luke & Touhy (AFC Hornchurch)

Match sponsors Ray Millard Insurance Brokers Man of the Match: Danny Gay

Attendance: 192