Leiston continued their quest for a play off place with a 2-1 home victory over Tonbridge Angels in a match sponsored by Sue Tugwell writes Mark Barber. With Gareth Heath, Scott Mitchell, Darren Mills and Joe Francis all missing Leiston welcomed back Conor Hubble who provided much needed cover in the middle of the park. Josh Merritt retained his place and was pushed wide on the right. In blustery conditions at Victory Road it was the home team that started well with John Sands nearly heading home after just 12 seconds. A dinked ball through from Patrick Brothers found John Sands who glanced it towards the near post with the keeper stranded. Leiston won their first corner on seven minutes and Danny Cunningham sent a long, high, looping ball in that eventually dropped onto the visitors bar and away to safety. Leiston looked more likely to score and the ever dangerous John Sands did make it 1-0 after 16 minutes. A Stuart Boardley free kick driven to the edge of the area and John Sands’ header was deflected up and over the hapless Bishop in the Angels goal. Tonbridge were struggling to maintain possession and Leiston, with the wind at their backs, had the better of the play first half and looked the more organised team. Josh Merritt and Stuart Boardley both had pot shots from distance and Patrick Brothers forced a good save from the visitor’s keeper low down at his near post. Tonbridge managed their first shot on goal on 22 minutes, Tommy Whitnell picking up on a loose ball and firing over from 25 yards. Billy Medlock was also dangerous for the Angels, looking to drive at the heart of the defence at every opportunity. As half time approached the home crowd felt Tonbridge centre half Sobers was perhaps a little lucky to stay on the pitch after a heavy foul on the lively Conor Hubble, sending the young midfielder sprawling.

The wind appeared to drop a little as the second half got underway. It was only three minutes old when John Sands won a free kick 25 yards out. He took it himself and his rasping shot was goal bound before a deflection and a block cleared the danger. Just a minute later Josh Merritt found Patrick Brothers with an inch perfect cross field ball. Patrick Brothers cut inside on his unfavoured right foot and forced an excellent one handed save out of the visiting keeper Bishop. You sensed a goal was on the way and the Blues duly made it 2-0 on 52 minutes. A long Stuart Boardley throw was flicked on by Leon Ottley-Gooch and Conor Hubble was there to tap the ball home, with Bishop no doubt disappointed with his efforts to keep it out. Despite this Tonbridge came back into the game and began to work the home ‘keeper Danny Gay. They managed their first shot on target on the hour mark and from the resulting corner it was only an acrobatic goal line clearance by Danny Cunningham that denied the visitors a way back into the game. Leiston were absorbing the pressure well with Joe Jefford and Tom Bullard happily heading the high balls away. Whilst the possession stats may have increased in Tonbridge’s favour second half their chances on goal rarely did with Leiston looking the more likely to score on the counter. However the visitors did get a goal back on 87 minutes with Nathan Elder finding space and powerfully heading home a right wing cross. A momentary lapse which caused undue tension for the home side as Tonbridge pushed for an equaliser their play wouldn’t really have deserved in the dying minutes but Leiston held out to secure the victory.

FT – Blues 2 Tonbridge Angels 1

Blues – Gay, Saker, Boardley, Cunningham, Jefford, Bullard, Meritt, Hubble, Ottley-Gooch, Sands (Mayhew 87 mins) Brothers. Unused Subs – Winter, Block, Francis and Rossis

Sue Tugwell Man of the Match – Leon Ottley-Gooch

Attendance - 200