Blues 4 Met Police 0

The Blues recorded a first home victory over Met Police at the sixth attempt as they increased their lead at the top of the Ryman Premier Division to three points in a Match Sponsored by WATSON & HILLHOUSE. The hosts included Ipswich Town loanee Jacob Marsden in place of the injured Nick Eyre after he signed a three month loan on Friday. Attacking the Fairground End and with a stiff breeze on their backs Leiston started strongly with Christy Finch and Matt Blake both chancing their arms with pot shots that were well wide of the visitors goals. Prior to kick off the visitors were propping up the table but they certainly did not look like a struggling side, moving the ball around neatly with Jerome Federico particularly lively down the Blues left. Three or four early crosses from Jerome Federico had to be dealt with by the hosts defence at full strength. From one early Met Police corner the Blues swiftly countered forcing a corner of their own that Joe Jefford leapt above the visitors defence but was unable to trouble Dimitar Mitov, a Charlton Athletic loanee, in the Met Police goal. Half chances were being created at both ends and after Christy Finch did well on the edge of the Met Police box but fired wide, a Jack Ainsley pass bounced off the Referee to set Ty Smith free and a Jerome Federico cross found its way to the midfielder but his hooked effort was easily claimed by Jacob Marsden. Ty Smith was back in the thick of the action again moments later as his free kick was met by a back header from Olli Robinson that was just wide of the home goal. The deadlock was finally broken on 33 minutes following a clinical break from Leiston. Byron Lawrence sliding in to find Joe Francis wide on the left who skipped beyond Rob Bartley to the goal line before providing a sweet cut back for Christy Finch to nod home his first League goal of the season high into the net from eight yards. Six minutes before the break a pinged pass from Jacob Marsden picked out Joe Francis wide on the left whose cross eventually found Christy Finch but his effort was well saved at the expense of a corner by Mitov. Suddenly play was camped in the visitors final third and Gareth Heath was unlucky to see a stinging shot on the turn strike the right hand upright as Leiston ended the half strongly. This period of pressure brought further rewards as Leiston scored twice in the final minute of the half. The first came via a long Jacob Marsden clearance that was misjudged by Olli Robinson, his header allowing Joe Francis the opportunity to run into the box and find Matt Blake. His effort was well saved by Mitov but Christy Finch pounced to slide home his second goal of the game. Moments later leading scorer Matt Blake scored in his fifth consecutive home game, racing clear onto a great pass from Jack Ainsley to show great composure in sliding his effort low to the left of Mitov. The three goal deficit was a little harsh on the visitors who were causing several problems in the first half. They had the perfect opportunity to get back into the game just seven minutes into the second half. Orlando Smith, one of two interval substitutes, skipped into the box before being tripped by Gareth Heath for a penalty. Up stepped Elliott Charles but Jacob Marsden produced a terrific full length save low to his left to keep the spot kick out. Ten minutes later Jacob Marsden was called into action again, quickly off his line to block an effort from Jake Reid. The missed chances proved costly as Leiston all but sealed the victory on 67 minutes. Byron Lawrence threaded a pass that split the visitors defence for substitute Seb Dunbar whose cross found Gareth Heath but he couldn't get the ball out of his feet so he found Jack Ainsley on the right whose dinked cross to the far post was bravely headed home by Matt Blake for his eleventh goal in eleven games. Unfortunately Matt Blake was injured heading home the fourth goal and was replaced by Tom Winter. Leiston now looked to close the game out but a stinging drive from Richard Pacquette forced Jacob Marsden into a high flying save to his right and then a well hit shot from Ty Smith narrowly cleared Marsden's bar as the visitors searched for a late consolation.

FT - Blues 4 Met Police 0

Blues - Marsden, Brown, Brothers, Ainsley (Saker 69 mins), Jefford, Bullard, Lawrence, Heath, Finch, Blake (Winter 68 mins), Francis (Dunbar 61 mins). Subs not used - Pelling and Schaar.

Met Police - Mitov, Smart, Salmon, Robinson (Sutherland 46 mins), Bartley, Hickey, Federico, Smith, Charles (Pacquette 72 mins), Reid, Johnson-Palmer (Smith 46 mins). Subs not used - Taylor and Williams.

Match Sponsors WATSON & HILLHOUSE Man of the Match - Byron Lawrence

Attendance - 247