Bognor Regis Town 1 Blues 0

The Blues first ever appearance in the end of season play off’s is very much in their own hands despite their midweek defeat at leaders Bognor Regis Town on Tuesday night. Glenn Driver’s side probably need four wins from their remaining seven League games to be absolutely certain after their narrow defeat at Nyewood Lane. An 18th minute goal from James Wild was all that separated the sides in West Sussex, the Rocks striker breaking the Blues hearts for the second time in 17 days after his 95th minute equaliser at Victory Road in the reverse fixture. Certainly Leiston deserved something from the game on their second half showing as they forced the hosts to defend in numbers and for long spells as they laid siege in the final third. Manager Glenn Driver stated after the final whistle that he was proud of the players efforts and the display would stand the side in good stead for the remaining seven games and hopefully, into the play off’s.

The leaders started strongly and were soon into their stride forcing the Blues back. Striker James Wild was soon in the thick of the action as he twice blazed over after creating space for his shots. Blues keeper Ashlee Jones did well to keep out a stinging effort from Bognor right back Harvey Whyte on nine minutes but nine minutes later he could do nothing about the tall home striker James Wild’s effort who cut inside Joe Jefford before unleashing an arrowed effort into the far corner, a great strike. In a half dominated by Bognor they only real sight of goal for the visitors was Conor Hubble’s as he was inches from connecting with Adeyinka Cole’s cross in the opening stages.

But after the interval Leiston looked a great deal more threatening and early in the half Seb Dunbar saw an effort deflect agonisingly wide and minutes later Adeyinka Cole fired over the top as the visitors grew in confidence. Just after the hour came the best chance so far for an equaliser but Niko Muir-Merchant was unable to direct his header goalwards from strike partner Matt Blake’s cross, his header instead clearing the bar. The Blues made a double substitution with Jack Ainsley and Joe Francis replacing Adeyinka Cole and Jake Hutchings and the double switch began to make a difference as suddenly the impetus was with the Blues. Gareth Heath saw his effort sail just wide and while Bognor were still a threat on the counter attack, the next effort came from Conor Hubble whose effort was cleared off the line. Bognor were now defending in numbers to protect their slender lead and they held out to remain four points clear at the top of the table and seventeen clear of Glenn Driver’s side.

FT – Bognor Regis Town 1 Blues 0

Bognor Regis Town – Lincoln, Whyte, Crane, Tuck, El-Abd, Charman , Fraser (Haynes-Brown 81 mins0, Budd (Davies 59 mins), Wild, Pearce, Muitt (Parsons 67 mins). Subs not used – Dolcetti and Block.

Blues – Jones, Brown (Pelling 83 mins), Dunbar, Cole (Ainsley 63 mins), Hutchings (Francis 63 mins), Jefford, Bullard, Cole (Ainsley 63 mins), Heath, Blake, Muir-Merchant, Hubble. Subs not used – Schaar and Beckwith.

Man of the Match – Gareth Heath

Attendance - 667