Blues 2 Brentwood Town 0

Leiston moved back to the top of the Ryman Premier Division table as they overcame Brentwood Town 2-0 at Victory Road writes Mark Barber. The Blues recorded their eighth clean sheet of the season and fourth in a row as second half goals from Joe Jefford and a Philip Anderson own goal gave them all three points. Leiston made two changes from the team that won at Tonbridge on Saturday, Billy Clark and Stuart Boardley starting in place of Leon Ottley Gooch and Christy Finch, the latter of which was still nursing the groin strain which forced him off after 8 minutes on Saturday. It was a still and calm evening, with a crisp Autumn chill and an excellent playing surface, perfect conditions for football and both teams set about playing a good passing game in the opening 20 minutes. Brentwood, sporting a Leiston change strip of all maroon after bringing the wrong kit, forced the first corner of the game after just 2 minutes and Mitch Hahn delivered a wicked in-swinging ball that deceived everyone and hit the base of the post and went out for a goal kick. Gareth Heath had Leiston’s first sight on goal. A free kick awarded after a foul on John Sands was hit low around the wall but also veered wide of the left hand upright. Patrick Brothers, on the Leiston left was seeing a lot of the ball early on, making several mazy runs down the wing but his crosses were well defended each time. Jamie Guy, Brentwood’s experienced ex professional, was making a nuisance of himself up front and doing his best to try and drag the Leiston centre halves out of position. Brentwood nearly took the lead on 31 minutes. Billy Clark conceded a free kick on the far touch line and the ball was driven to the far post where it was headed down and back towards goal. It was only a last ditch clearance which saved Leiston on this occasion. Possession was about even with Seb Dunbar and Patrick Brothers having the only half chances for Leiston. The midfield pairing of Shad Ngandu and Nicky Symons in a deeper role was working effectively for the visitors and it was clear that most of Brentwood’s good work came through Symons. As the first half drew to a close John Sands had his first sight of goal. Seb Dunbar found Gareth Heath midway inside the Brentwood half and his neat reverse pass found the run of John Sands whose left footed effort didn’t trouble Martyn Guest in the away goal.

HT - Blues 0 Brentwood Town 0

I ensured I was back in my seat in timely fashion for the second half as Leiston have tended to come out strong after half time on a number of occasions and duly on 47 minutes Joe Jefford gave the home side the lead. Seb Dunbar took a free kick wide on the left hand side after Danny Cunningham was fouled and Tom Bullard rose to head the ball back across goal and after some confusion Joe Jefford had the easiest of task of firing home from close range. Jamie Guy continued to huff and puff up top for the visitors but was never really given a sniff of goal. The game flowed from end to end in the first 15 minutes of the second half, punctuated by several set pieces for both sides. Brentwood came the closest from these, a Robbie Rees free kick from inside halfway managed to miss everyone and drift narrowly past the post with Leiston, for the first time showing some indecisive defending. You sensed that the next goal was the crucial one and Leiston got it on 64 minutes. Billy Clark delivered the ball in which was headed more up than out, Gareth Heath adjusted for the shot and his effort cannoned of the unlucky Philip Anderson and past Martyn Guest high into the top corner to go down as an own goal. A double substitution for Brentwood did little to aid their attacking threat as Leiston were comfortable in their two goal lead. Tom Winter was introduced in place of Danny Cunningham and late on Joe Francis came on for John Sands who had worked hard up front for little reward besides the three points. Four minutes of added time passed by harmlessly and Leiston recorded their 8th league win from 11 games to move two points clear of Grays Athletic. On Saturday the Blues welcome Tonbridge Angels in the Second Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup. Kick off 3.00pm.

FT - Blues 2 Brentwood Town 0

Leiston - Jones, Saker, Dunbar, Boardley, Jefford, Bullard, Clark, Heath, Cunningham (Winter 86 mins), Sands (Francis 91 mins), Brothers. Subs not used - Ottley-Gooch, Finch and Goodwin.

Brentwood Town - Guest, Gordon, Anderson (Goodacre 81 mins), Stokes, O’Rawe, Symons, Hahn (Robson 74 mins), Ngandu, Hope (Richardson 74 mins), Guy, Rees. Subs not used - Lechmere and Holdsworth.

Man of the Match - Tom Bullard

Attendance - 152