Blues 0 Harrow Borough 0

At this stage of the season with less than a quarter of it remaining, it’s all about results. Results elsewhere suggest this is probably yet another point gained for Richard Wilkins side in their quest for the play offs but their inability to claim all the points has allowed other clubs to potentially gate crash the play off party in a match sponsored by Cracknell Properties & CPR Construction. On a bitterly cold afternoon neither side did enough to win the game or deserve to lose it in a fairly forgettable stalemate. Both sides huffed and puffed but lacked any guile in front of goal as a frustrated crowd returned to the warmth of the bar or their home for comfort. The last two meetings between these two clubs at Victory Road produced late drama with scruffy winning goals and those that braved the bitterly cold conditions would have happily accepted a similar conclusion. Over the ninety minutes neither keeper had a notable save to make as the two sides, with different agendas at either end of the table, toiled unsuccessfully for maximum points. Harrow will certainly be the happier and their build up play was a lot neater than that of their hosts and will probably feel they should have got more from the game as the corner count was 10-2 in their favour. Leiston started okay but were forced into an early change with the loss of the influential Joe Francis limping off with a hamstring injury forcing a reshuffle with Tom Bullard back in defence after a suspension and injury lay off. The changes coincided with Harrow having a period of possession and within this spell came their best opportunity. Some neat play between Josh Webb and Michael Bryan down the right saw the latter scamper into the box and after beating the advancing Danny Gay, Joe Jefford was on hand to clear off the line. The home side were defending solidly with keeper Danny Gay producing good handling in the difficult positions as Harrow continued to threaten from free kicks and their increasing corner count. Harrow continued to pose the neater build up play and a timely Blake Saker block denied Josh Webb a clear sight of goal in the opening minutes of the second half. The introduction of Leiston substitute Darren Mills at the expense of the injured Patrick Brothers injected some energy into the home attack and with twenty minutes remaining two teasing, inviting crosses just eluded Josh Mayhew in the Harrow box. Two minutes later the home sides first corner of the half caused havoc and Tom Bullard saw two efforts well blocked while late in the game substitute Josh Merritt saw a looping half volley only just clear Nick Jupp’s bar. It was just one of those days at Victory Road but the point gained for both sides certainly help both sides’ causes.

FT - Blues 0 Harrow Borough 0

Blues – Gay, Saker, Boardley, Ottley-Gooch, Jefford, Mitchell, Winter (Merritt 74 mins), Heath, Mayhew, Brothers (Mills 60 minutes), Francis (Bullard 27 mins). Sub not used – Rossis.

Cracknell Properties & CPR Construction Man of the Match - Joe Jefford

Attendance - 160