Blues 1 Tonbridge Angels 2

The Blues play off hopes hang in the balance while Tonbridge Angels enhanced their chances as the Kent side claimed all the points writes James Spink. The hosts failed to recover conceding two goals in the opening half an hour despite a spirited fight back in a match sponsored by CPR CONSTRUCTION LIMITED. This was always going to be a tight contest with the Blues boasting the second best home record in the division while the Angels have the second best away record plus Leiston had beaten Tonbridge in all their previous four meetings. The hosts knew a win was paramount to not only close the gap on their visitors but to keep check on the play off places. They went into the game minus suspended skipper Tom Bullard and the injured Joe Francis while a not fully fit Leon Ottley-Gooch was on the bench and were soon chasing the game as Tonbridge opened the scoring on 11 minutes through a disputed penalty. Jack Ainsley penalised for a foul inside the box with the lively Luke Blewden firing home the resulting spot kick. It was the first goal conceded by the Blues for over six hours (371 minutes). Tonbridge were on top and they extended their lead on the half hour mark when a superb right wing cross from Luke Allen was sweetly swept home from inside the six yard box by the impressive Nathan Elder. After the two goal setback Leiston grew into the game, dictating play and applying pressure in the visitors area but unable to force a response. The hosts second half display was much improved, pushing Tonbridge back and they went close to pulling a goal back on the hour mark but leading scorer Christy Finch saw his looping header beat Di Bernardo but crash against the bar. But the Blues finally got on the score sheet fifteen minutes from time. Parkinson was penalised for shirt tugging on Joe Jefford from a corner with the Referee pointing to the spot, Christy Finch confidently converting the spot kick for his 20th goal of the season. The home side continued to press for an equaliser and Di Bernardo denied Gareth Heath with a close range header and then acrobatically kept out a long range pile driver from Christy Finch with a stunning save with virtually the last kick of the game. A game of contrasting halves saw the visitors certainly edge the opening half, but although the home side shaded the second half, it was Tonbridge who left with the three points to consolidate their third placed position and leave Leiston hanging on in the race for the play offs.

FT - Blues 1 Tonbridge Angels 2

Blues - Jones, Saker, Dunbar, Boardley (Winter 88 mins), Jefford, Ainsley, Clark (Baker 89 mins), Heath, Taylor (Kerslake 62 mins), Finch, Brothers. Subs not used - Ottley-Gooch and Rossis.

Tonbridge Angels - Di Bernardo, Folkes, Parter, Parkinson, Sobers, Miles, Allen, Riviere, Elder, Blewden, Wheeler. Subs - Webster, Whitnell, Woods-Garness and Ball.

Match Sponsors CPR Construction Limited Man of the Match - Jack Ainsley

Attendance - 197