Peacehaven & Telscombe 0 Blues 4

Leiston recorded their second victory inside five days to move back up into sixth position and within two points of the play off places. The visitors endured a four hour journey and arrived in freezing conditions but the pitch was in a good condition. Danny Cunningham, who suffered a head injury on Saturday, was absent along with Leon Ottley-Gooch who was suffering with a thigh injury. Scott Mitchell returned to the starting line-up in the only change from Saturday’s win over Hampton & Richmond Borough. What the visitors needed was an early goal and they got just that within five minutes of the kick off. Tom Winter made good ground down the right and his cross was met by Darren Mills who, after battling for possession, pounced to score his second goal in as many games. The early goal settled the visitors but rattled the hosts and Peacehaven struggled to make any in roads to the Leiston back line. Despite just the single goal advantage the Blues were comfortable in possession and were able to keep the hosts penned back in their own half for long spells. Three minutes before half time Leiston doubled their lead with a dubious free kick from close range. Home keeper Joseph Taylor instinctively saved a strong sliced clearance inside his own box and Referee Mr Read deemed this to be a back pass. Admittedly without the keeper’s intervention the ball would have probably nestled in the net. Leading scorer Gareth Heath fired home the free kick from twelve yards.

The third goal was always going to be crucial and it went to the visitors five minutes into the second half with a great counter attack. Defending a Peacehaven attack the ball was cleared to Gareth Heath who quickly found Joe Francis who showed the home defence a clean pair of heels and raced through the home half to confidently beat Stephens in the home goal. Shortly afterwards it was almost four but Tom Winter’s effort was chalked off for offside. It seemed a harsh decision as Winter neatly flicked home Patrick Brothers cross but the Assistant raised his flag for offside. The fourth goal was not long coming though and on 58 minutes Patrick Brothers smashed home a fine strike. The ball sat up invitingly for him on the left hand corner of the box and his left footed snap shot flew into the net. Danny Gay was then called into his first real action and he produced a super save to keep out a twenty yard free kick. Leiston continued to control proceedings, producing a strong, workmanlike display. Late in the game the Assistant’s flag denied another Blues goal, this time substitute Josh Mayhew the unfortunate player following a good finish at the far post from another swift counter attack. But a terrific display on a freezing cold night in Sussex that saw the Blues record their third double of the season.

FT – Peacehaven & Telscombe 0 Blues 4

Blues line up – Gay, Saker, Boardley, Mitchell (Merritt 45 mins), Jefford, Bullard, Winter, Heath, Mills (Mayhew 81 mins), Brothers, Francis. Subs not used – Block and Rossis.

Goals – Mills 5 mins, Heath 42 mins, Francis 50 mins, Brothers 58 mins (Leiston)

Man of the Match – Blake Saker

Attendance - 90