Wivenhoe Town 1 Leiston 1
Leiston have won their first ever Ridgeons Premier Division title after collecting the required point at Broad Lane, Wivenhoe with six games to spare. Leiston are also the first side at Step Five in the country to be crowned Champions. Skipper David Head headed the Blues into an interval lead but in a pretty poor game, hosts Wivenhoe levelled late on. But the celebrations began at the final whistle and continued into the evening.
Congratulations to Manager Mark Morsley, his staff and players on a fantastic achievement.
Leiston clinched the Ridgeons Premier Division title today, gaining the necessary point with six games to spare. In a rather forgettable game, skipper David Head headed the visitors ahead before a late header earned the home side a share of the points. In glorious sunshine the visitors lined up with Matthew Gooch making his debut in goal following Jamie Stannard’s suspension. On a poor pitch the visitors (in maroon) kicked off in front of the home sides biggest gate of the season swelled by a three figure away support. The first scare of the afternoon came on four minutes with a nervous Gooch making a hash of a routine clearance. However, he made amends on 18 minutes with a superb save to his left from Amass’s shot and then turning away Hawkins follow up. By this stage the visitors were territorially in control but controlling the ball was becoming a farce at times. All too often the bobbling ball was hit out of play as the surface was proving to be very difficult. But with 24 minutes on the clock the visitors took the lead. Cunningham’s right wing corner found skipper David Head at the far post and his header squeezed into the net between keeper Robins and Minter. Six minutes later he almost grabbed a second as he met Heath’s left wing corner but Robins saved. Leiston were certainly the more threatening and Calver and McGlone went close and M Brothers hooked wide as a decent first half drew to a close. Upon resumption, the visitors knew they were just 45 minutes from landing the title. However, it was the home side that returned somewhat rejuvenated and pressed the visitors back. The theme of the match was starting to look like the last visit in November 2009 as Leiston defended deeper and failed to press the home defence. After a first half with just one booking, Referee Goddard somehow brandished seven yellow cards and a red despite the match not being that dirty. On the hour the Dragons thought they had equalised as W Odedayin scooped home in a scramble but the linesman’s flag was raised. It was now clear Leiston were more than happy to see out time to start their celebrations but with fifteen minutes remaining the home side drew level. Saker was penalised wide on the right and from Amass’s free kick substitute Sansford glanced home a header in a ruck of players giving Gooch no chance. Soon after left back T Odedayin was dismissed for a second yellow card. The goal lifted Leiston and with eight minutes remaining Robins tipped over Cunningham’s half volley from M Brothers cross. When they did get in the final third Leiston looked like conjuring a winner while the visitors defence kept the home side at arm’s length. With the sun shining down, the final whistle went to signal wild celebrations for Players, Management and supporters alike.
A forgettable performance but we got what we needed and the title was rightly claimed. We have proved to be the most consistent and quality side all year so the end prize has been well deserved. Congratulations to Manager Mark Morsley, his staff and players for achieving our aim for the season and for the countless quality displays to date.
Wivenhoe Town: Robins, Minter, T Odedayin, Lee-Smith (Sansford 70 mins), Cutts, Lampon, Amass, Brown, Peck (Connell 45 mins), W Odedayin, Hawkins. Sub not used: Rogers and Wilding.
Leiston: Stannard, Saker, Ottley-Gooch, D Head, Goldfinch, Calver, M Brothers (S Head 85 mins), Heath, Smy (Hammond 74 mins), McGlone, Cunningham. Subs not used: Block, P Brothers and Young.
Man of the Match: David Head
