Dulwich Hamlet 2 Blues 4

The Blues recorded their third victory in seven days after a topsy turvey tussle at Champion Hill. Two goals each for Joe Francis and Gareth Heath saw the visitors record an impressive victory on the road against a side fancied for promotion by many. After their dramatic victory in midweek the Blues made one enforced change with Christy Finch making his first start of the campaign in place of Leon Ottley-Gooch who had hobbled off against Canvey Island on Tuesday night. Dulwich, like Leiston, came into the game unbeaten after an opening day draw at AFC Sudbury followed by a midweek win at home to Enfield Town. With the stiff breeze to their advantage it was no surprise the visitors made all the early running but the opening quarter of an hour saw a fairly tense affair although during this spell, Matt Blake thought he had netted his second goal of the season, heading home after Tom Bullard had flicked a Gareth Heath corner goalwards only to be denied by the raised flag of the Referee’s Assistant. The home goal remained intact until the 22nd minute when Joe Francis opened the scoring. The Leiston winger cutting in from the right before curling home a great strike from the edge of the box into Preston Edwards right hand corner. It could have been worse for the hosts a few minutes later but Joe Jefford’s effort crashed against the home crossbar from a corner. As half time arrived Leiston maintained a slender lead but could have been two or three goals to the good. The second half was just six minutes old when Dulwich turned the game on its head with two goals in a four minute spell. On 47 minutes they drew level courtesy of a free kick from Gavin Tomlin. Four minutes later Dulwich had the lead, Michael Chambers getting between the Leiston centre halves to direct a right wing cross home. The lead lasted just four minutes as parity was restored. Great work from Joe Francis down the right to cross and find Gareth Heath whose effort found the net via the post. The game was now evenly poised so the fifth goal of the game would be vital to either side and with eighteen minutes remaining it was Leiston who grabbed it, regaining the lead for a second time and it was a second goal for Joe Francis. Matt Blake providing the assist, driving a cross across the face of goal allowing Joe Francis the easiest of finishes. Five minutes later the visitors all but sealed the win. Man of the Match Gareth Heath grabbing his third goal of the season and his second of the game, collecting a pass from Matt Blake before drilling his shot low and firm beyond the outstretched hand of Preston Edwards. The fourth Leiston goal knocked the stuffing out of the Dulwich side and Glenn Driver was able to make a pair of substitutions to ensure three very important points headed back to Suffolk and Leiston remain unbeaten on all of their four visits to Champion Hill.

FT - Dulwich Hamlet 2 Blues 4

Dulwich Hamlet – Edwards, Ming, Green, Kargbo (Adeboyego 80 mins), Drage, Chambers, Clunis, Carew (Michael-Percil 45 mins), Tomlin (Onovwigun 81 mins), Beaney. Subs not used – Mason and Weatherstone.

Blues – Eyre, Brown, Dunbar, Ainsley, Jefford, Bullard, Lawrence (Brothers 78 mins), Heath, Blake (Schaar 85 mins), Finch (Saker 66 mins), Francis. Subs not used – Hastings and Winter.

Man of the Match – Gareth Heath

Attendance – 845