Hendon 2 Blues 1

Leiston made the trip to Earlsmead to face a Hendon team already guaranteed to finish in second place writes Trevor Elmy. Manager Richard Wilkins had a depleted squad with Bullard & Mayhew suspended, Ottley-Gooch & Sands injured and Mills and Rossis both unavailable. The one change from last week’s match saw Danny Cunningham return from suspension to the midfield with Stuart Boardley, in his last Leiston match, dropping into central defence to replace Bullard. Leiston made the perfect start when, with just two minutes on the clock, Conor Hubble intercepted a cross field ball and found Tom Winter in the penalty area and he lifted the ball over Hazlett in the home goal. Leiston were in control but in the 12th minute, when Joe Francis was blocked off the ball when looking for a return pass, Hendon broke quickly and Leon Smith found himself free in the box but he fired over the bar. In the 18th minute Hubble had a free kick from 22 yards well saved by the home goalkeeper and he had to be alert four minutes later when a cross from Gareth Heath almost dipped under the bar. As the game approached half time Leiston linked together well when Francis put a low cross into the Hendon penalty area and Winter laid the ball back to Hubble but his shot was blocked by a Hendon defender. A minute later Francis made a surging run across the field and unleashed a right foot shot which Hazlett pushed round the post.

The second half started with Hendon looking a bit more threatening but unable to force Danny Gay into a save of note. In the 57th minute a long ball out of defence was allowed to bounce by Blake Saker and because of the hard ground it bounced higher than he expected leaving Kezie Ibe free and he made no mistake to make it 1-1. This seemed to lift Hendon who were on a 23 match unbeaten run stretching back to 10th January. In the 68th minute Winter collected a long ball out of defence and was able to break clear of the Hendon defence and rounded Hazlett in the home goal but having been forced wide he saw his goal bound effort cleared from the line by a retreating home defender. Leiston were then forced to make a change when Cunningham, who had been impressive throughout, picked up a calf injury and was replaced by Patrick Bothers in the 71st minute. Four minutes later Leiston found themselves behind when Josh Merritt gave the ball away far too easily, the result being Hendon again broke quickly and Leon Smith made amends for his miss in the first half when he was allowed too much time and space to shoot past Danny Gay. Leiston immediately made their second change, Paris Tuwizana coming on for a very tired looking Josh Merritt. Leiston adopted a more positive approach and went looking for a deserved equaliser. After a fine flowing move the ball fell to Blake Saker in the box, but perhaps being shocked to find himself in such a position he fired wide when well placed. Hendon nearly increased their lead in the 84th minute when substitute Aaron Morgan was fouled on the edge of the box and he himself curled the ball round the Leiston wall but Danny Gay was alert to make a rare save. In the 88th minute Hubble and Saker linked together to find Brothers and his effort was well saved by Hazlett. With 90 minutes on the clock Hubble was brought down what looked to be at least two yards inside the Hendon box but the Referee awarded a free kick right on the edge of the box. Hubble and Boardley stood over the ball and the stage was set for Boardley to end his Leiston career with a trademark free kick. Boardley struck the ball and saw his shot strike the goalkeepers left hand post, come back behind the goalkeeper before being cleared by a Hendon defender. Leiston fully deserved at least a point with Hazlett in the home goal being far busier than Danny Gay. The major difference being Hendon punished Leiston’s mistakes whereas Leiston failed to capitalise on their chances and were once again denied a clear cut penalty.

FT – Hendon 2 Blues 1

Blues line up – Gay, Saker, Dunbar, Cunningham (Brothers 71 mins), Jefford, Boardley, Merritt (Tuwizana 75 mins), Heath, Winter, Hubble, Francis.

Man of the Match – Conor Hubble

Attendance - 155