Hendon 2 Blues 4

Leiston remain tightly placed amongst the front runners of the Ryman Premier Division after their first League win in six games and first League win away from home since September. Previous visits to the Earlsmead Stadium especially against Hendon, have proved to be fruitless but on this occasion the visitors produced a clinical streak in front of goal with some fine finishes but they almost squandered a three goal lead as Hendon fought back bravely and almost denied the Blues all the points. Boosted by a battling display at leaders Dulwich Hamlet on Tuesday evening Leiston began brightly from the outset and just like at Dulwich they took the lead and it was via the boot of Gareth Heath. Patrick Brothers was released down the left wing and his cross found the Blues talisman Gareth Heath who controlled on his chest before deftly lifting the ball beyond Joe Wright in the home goal on 18 minutes. The first half remained a tight affair with little goal mouth action but as the half closed the home side felt they should have had a penalty as they claimed Danny Cunningham handled inside the box but the Referee waved away their appeals. After a pretty uneventful first half their was no indication what was to follow over the next forty five minutes especially after the Blues raced into a three goal lead. Four minutes into the second half Leiston doubled their lead when a clinical counter attack saw Patrick Brothers again provide the assist, this time Christy Finch the grateful recipient. When Christy Finch grabbed his second and the third goal on 66 minutes from a Gareth Heath pass it looked like Leiston were cruising to victory but the visitors switched off momentarily in a crazy 90 seconds allowing Hendon to score twice and set up a nervous last quarter of an hour. Substitute Ben Pattie, who had only been on the field for five minutes, fired in the first home goal and then former Enfield Town striker Adam Wallace scored a second home goal after great work from Finbarr Robins. The home side now had their tails up and sensed further joy in the visitors area. As they forced the Blues back their fight back was almost complete but the frame of the goal came to Richard Wilkins' side aid, Carl McCluskey seeing a header thud against the post. The pressure remained with Hendon and as the game entered stoppage time McCluskey went down inside the box with Hendon claiming a penalty but nothing was given. With the Blues looking to hold on for the points they broke brilliantly to seal the points. Christy Finch held up play well to release Joe Francis on the half way line and Francis raced clear leaving the home defence in his trail and he slotted beyond home keeper Joe Wright for a first ever away win over Hendon.

FT - Hendon 2 Blues 4

Hendon - Wright, Flegg, Sprague, Kirby (McCluskey 63 mins), Tingey, Diedhiou, Robins, Fonguk, Wallace, Ibe (Pattie 63 mins), Gondoh (Taggart 79 mins). Subs not used - Kuehn and Cousins.

Blues - Jones, Saker, Dunbar, Cunningham (Francis 76 mins), Jefford, Bullard, Clark (Trotter 82 mins), Heath, Ottley-Gooch, Finch (Taylor 91 mins), Brothers. Sub not used - Rossis.

Man of the Match - Patrick Brothers

Attendance - 119