Blues 2 Dulwich Hamlet 2

A 91st minute equaliser from Captain Joe Jefford saw Leiston claim a 2-2 draw for the second successive Saturday in a MATCH SPONSORED BY POWERCLEAN CHEMICALS LIMITED.

The Blues kicked off in the sunshine attacking the Fairground End & only a superbly timed tackle from the recalled Joe Jefford prevented the speedy Dumebi Dumaka from racing clear early on & as the classy visitors continued to dominate it was perhaps no surprise when they went ahead in the 18th minute when the lively Nyren Clunis lashed home from inside the area. Dumaka then headed wide from a corner before the visitors doubled their advantage as Sanchez Ming fired past Marcus Garnham from the right hand side of the box. Despite the dominance of Dulwich, with Ashley Carew in particular impressing in midfield, the Blues were handed a lifeline five minutes before half time when Christy Finch fired home his first goal of the season from close range after Byron Lawrence's shot came back off a post. In fact the Blues remarkably could have gone in at half time level when Preston Edwards in the visitors goal pulled off a stunning save from Byron Lawrence's free kick on the stroke of half time.

The home side made a much more positive start to the second period & while Dulwich continued to look threatening on the break & control the pace of the game, the Blues were also starting to create chances themselves with Christy Finch passing up a good opportunity to equalise, but only a superb double save from Marcus Garnham prevented the visitors from extending their lead, crucially Leiston refused to cave to the Dulwich pressure & their resolve was rewarded as the game went into injury time when Captain Joe Jefford turned the ball home from inside the box to maintain the Blues unbeaten start to the new campaign. A point apiece then & the result will surely leave the impressive visitors frustrated & rueing passing up so many opportunities in a dominant first half display. For the Blues a much improved second half performance saw them dig in & earn a 'good' point off a team who will surely be up there near the top of the table come the business end of the season.

FT - Blues 2 Dulwich Hamlet 2

Blues - Garnham, Hammond, Dunbar, Marsden (Ford 42 mins) Jefford, Ainsley, Lawrence, Eagle, Blake, Docherty (Pelling 66 mins), Finch. Subs not used - Burman & Beckwith.

Dulwich Hamlet - Edwards, Weatherstone, Shaw, Kargbo, Hayles, Chambers, Clunis, Carew (Faal 74 mins), Dumaka (Beaney 73 mins), Ferguson (Boakye-Yiadom 80 mins), Ming. Subs not used - James and Taylor.

Match Sponsors POWERCLEAN CHEMICALS LIMITED Man of the Match - Byron Lawrence

Attendance - 341