Blues 2 Staines Town 2

Leiston extended their unbeaten league run to ten games as Jack Ainsley’s late header salvaged a point in a MATCH SPONSORED BY G DRIVER CARAVANS LIMITED. The hosts welcomed back Marcus Garnham in goal in an otherwise unchanged starting line up from Tuesday evening. Before the match there was a minutes silence in memory of Gail Goldfinch, mother of ex Leiston played Mark Goldfinch, who passed away a few weeks ago. Gail was a regular supporter at Victory Road and Mark and her husband Steve, as well as ex Leiston physio Mick Lowe, were there to observe it.

Staines started off the brighter side and Marcus Garnham had to be alert to divert an early effort from the visitors around his left hand post. The away side took the lead in the ninth minute when Max Worsfold’s delivery from the left flank was flicked into the net by the impressive Elliot Buchanan. A minute later, Leiston had a great chance to level when Seb Dunbar’s cross was met by Dominic Docherty, but he was foiled by away custodian Liam Driscoll. Moments later however, and Leiston equalised. Joe Marsden’s corner was met at the back post by Tom Bullard who headed it back into the danger area for Joe Jefford to nod in from close range. Mo Bettamer tried his luck from outside the box as Staines tried to regain the initiative but Marcus Garnham was behind it. Elliot Buchanan then shot just wide of Marcus Garnham’s left hand post. Dominic Docherty headed off target before Marcus Garnham punched away a dangerous cross into the penalty area. Leiston defended well in the latter stages of the half. Tom Bullard cleared away near the goal line, while Ben Martin headed wide. 

In the first sixty seconds of the second half Patrick Brothers shot over the bar from just outside the eighteen yard box. Staines first chance of the half fell to Bayley Brown but his effort was off the mark from a corner. Leiston created an excellent chance when good play from Jack Ainsley and Dominic Docherty set up a great chance for Matt Blake but his right footed attempt was saved by the legs of Driscoll. Chris Henderson chipped a cross into the area that was weakly punched by Driscoll and Leiston could not convert, although they looked to have a good shout for a penalty through a hand ball. Against the run of play, Staines took the lead for the second time. Elliot Buchanan was given time to control, turn and then expertly slot into Marcus Garnham’s top left hand corner. Leiston were determined to keep their unbeaten run going though and Patrick Brothers again struck a shot with venom but Liam Driscoll comfortably held his shot. Joe Marsden cut in from the right hand side but saw his drive deflected wide.  Elliot Buchanan had another chance but Marcus Garnham saved. Glenn Driver replaced Seb Dunbar with Robert Eagle and he repaid his faith  within a minute of being on the pitch when his left footed cross found Jack Ainsley who superbly headed back across goal and into Liam Driscoll’s bottom left hand corner. Liam Driscoll was deemed to be fouled by referee Thomas Hancock, and Patrick Brothers delivery was met by Matt Blake but Driscoll was there again. Jack Ainsley looked to have been through on goal however Staines got back to put him off. This was the last real chance before Hancock blew for full time.

FT - Blues 2 Staines Town 2

Blues - Garnham, Marsden, Dunbar (Eagle 77 mins), Ainsley, Jefford, Bullard, Lawrence, Henderson, Blake, Brothers, Docherty (Schaar 80 mins). Subs not used - Saker, Blades and Beckwith.

Staines Town - Driscoll, Webb, Miller-Rodney, Brown, Martin, Brewer (Barzey 80 mins), Driver (McEwan 57 mins), Ahmidi, Buchanan (Hippolyte 90 mins), Bettamer, Worsfold. Subs not used - Baptiste and Haydon.

Match Sponsor G DRIVER CARAVANS LIMITED Man of the match - Jack Ainsley

Attendance - 323