Hampton & Richmond Borough 4 Blues 3

Leiston's play off hopes received a dent as new leaders Hampton & Richmond Borough knocked Richard Wilkins' side down to eighth at a windy Beveree. The Suffolk side suffered a torrid first half defending the strong wind, going into the interval three down after conceding three goals for the third consecutive away game. The Blues were looking to continue their good form against the West London side, unbeaten in the previous seven League meetings and having scored thirteen goals in their last four visits to the Beveree. Leiston welcomed back Ashlee Jones who had missed the last five games through injury with new signing Jack Ainsley also in the starting line up. Certainly Ainsley had to show his versatility as he started in central midfield and ended in attack following the injury to Christy Finch in the warm up. Defending the stiff breeze the Blues were soon on the back foot although the game lacked any real pressure. But it was no surprise when the hosts opened the scoring in the 18th minute, Moussa Diarra heading home a Nicke Kabamba cross for the opener. Ashlee Jones made a couple of smart stops but he was powerless to deny Hampton adding a second just before the half hour mark. Jamal Lowe raced into the box onto a neat pass and fired his effort low beyond the dive of Ashlee Jones. Leiston's opportunities were limited, Patrick Brothers half chance from close range went wide of the goal in a one sided first half. On the stroke of half time Lowe added his second and the third goal from inside the box. He did all the work himself after skipping beyond a couple of Leiston challenges, he shot across Ashlee Jones and into the far corner. Patrick Brothers gave the visitors a glimmer of hope when his corner sailed directly in six minutes into the second half. But for a Tom Winter effort that was well saved by Legg, the Blues failed to gain the initiative with the wind and nine minutes from time Kabamba's neat strike restored the hosts three goal advantage. With Leiston staring their biggest defeat on the road this season they then scored twice in stoppage time to set up a nervous finish. First Joe Jefford prodded home a Stuart Boardley corner that was blocked on the line and then a Gareth Heath corner flew straight in but it wasn't enough to claim an unlikely point with the end scoreline slightly flattering.

FT - Hampton & Richmond Borough 4 Blues 3

Hampton & Richmond Borough - Legg, Jelley, Casey, Murphy, Diarra, Beere, Federico, Sinclair (Hicks 58 mins), Kabamba, Lowe. Subs not used - Blake, Hippolyte-Patrick, Moone and Kamara.

Blues - Jones, Saker, Dunbar, Trotter (Boardley 78 mins), Jefford, Bullard, Ainsley, Heath, Winter, Taylor, Brothers. Subs not used - Clark, Cunningham and Rossis.

Man of the Match - Jack Ainsley

Attendance - 342