Blues 2 Harrow Borough 0

Leiston claimed their fourth successive clean sheet in a 2-0 victory over Harrow Borough thanks to goals from Christy Finch and Jake Taylor as well as a man of the match performance once again from goalkeeper Ashlee Jones writes Mark Barber. In truth it was the visitors who controlled large parts of the game and came at Leiston right from the off in a match sponsored by EDF Energy Sizewell. On a dry and very cold evening at Victory Road it was Harrow that dominated the opening half an hour, playing at a very high tempo and creating numerous chances to open the scoring. On 6 minutes it was great work by Boro’ number 10 Okenabirhie down the left hand side which saw him cut inside on his right foot and unleash a powerful effort which Ashlee Jones managed to tip onto the bar. Two minutes later it was left back James Dobson who went close for the visitors, a speculative chip cross-cum-shot which wasn’t far from finding the corner of the goal. On 12 minutes Harrow had their best chance of the game after the ball fell kindly to David Taylor in the box after indecisive defending allowed Taylor in on goal. Ashlee Jones was off his line like lightning to close him down and blocked the close range shot superbly. Leiston rode this early storm and on the half hour had a great chance of their own. A free kick into the Harrow box was cleared out to Billy Clark whose first time ball in found Christy Finch in a lot of space, but his tame header was straight at Joe McDonnell. Three minutes later the Blues took the lead, still against the run of play. It was beautifully taken by Christy Finch for his 18th goal of the season. He broke the Harrow offside trap and latched onto a through ball, a quick glance to the linesman confirmed he was onside and he gleefully sped down on goal, went gracefully around the keeper and slotted the home side ahead. Harrow had two excellent chances after 45 minutes was up on the clock, first Spencer McCall hit the post and then Okenabirhie went through on goal and waited for Ashlee Jones to commit, he did and the striker attempted to dink the ball over the top of Ashlee Jones who was now on the floor, but the impressive stopper got a huge hand up to the ball and swatted it away. Half time arrived with Leiston one goal to the good but Harrow might have wondered how they weren’t at least on level terms. Possession and territory stats would have been interesting but my cursory corner count stood at 8-0 to Harrow in the first half. A lack of discipline probably cost the visitors in the second half who became increasingly frustrated with the referee and focusing on what they perceived as several injustices against them instead of getting back in the game. Gareth Heath went off early in the second half after taking a knock to his ankle and was replaced by Jake Taylor whose performances get better each game. He was full of energy and a constant threat. His first chance fell on the hour mark but he lifted his shot over the keeper but onto the roof of the net. Harrow couldn’t keep their high tempo up as the game wore on and Leiston sealed the victory on 89 minutes, Christy Finch again breaking through, but this time he squared the ball across to Jake Taylor whose finish was less than pretty but more than deserved as he stumbled it into the net. There was still time for Okenabirhie to hit the woodwork again for Harrow in added on time but it was Leiston who claimed all three points. I am sure they have played better than this and lost this season but it is another three points in a Play Off race that Leiston are definitely involved in. Huge credit to Ashlee Jones in the home goal who has been outstanding all season and oozes professional quality.

FT - Blues 2 Harrow Borough 0

Blues - Jones,Saker, Dunbar, Boardley (Kerslake 77 mins), Jefford, Bullard, Ainsley, Heath (Taylor 57 mins), Clark, Finch Winter (93 mins), Brothers. Subs not used: Baker and Spurling.

Harrow Borough - McDonnell, Webb, Dobson, Willment, Taylor, McCall, Bryan, Driver, Charles-Smith, Okenabirhie, Newman (Cascoe 78 mins). Subs not used - Jones, McLeod, Barima and Peacock.

Match Sponsors EDF Energy, Sizewell Man of the Match - Ashlee Jones

Attendance - 130