Potters Bar 1 - 3 Leiston, well into the play off positions now
Potters Bar Town 1 Leiston 3 The Blues overcame a first minute set back to claim three excellent points and keep themselves firmly in the play-off hunt. Penney opened the scoring for the hosts before a Leon Ottley-Gooch goal levelled the game at half time. Two goals in the final twelve minutes sealed the win. The first via an own goal the second, through Rhys Henry in the final minute.Leiston stretched their unbeaten run to seven games in all competitions with a hard fought three points in Hertfordshire. The Blues were without the injured trio of Stuart Boardley, Mark Goldfinch and Luke Hammond and were also minus the suspended Sheridan Driver against a side just outside the play off places. The game swung immediately towards the hosts as they opened the scoring after just 34 seconds! Joe Jefford’s attempted back pass was woefully short and Cole Penney nipped in to slide the ball past a shocked Louis Johnson. The home side certainly have a habit of early goals yet this did not dampen the visitor’s hopes. Instead Leiston slowly to ok a grip of the game and deservedly drew level mid-way through the first half. Rhys Henry and Gareth Heath combined with the latter setting up Leon Ottley-Gooch inside the box who made no mistake with a smart finish. The game was now evenly poised although the visitors never really looked like allowing their hosts a clear sight of goal. As the game entered the final quarter Leiston began to totally dictate play and were playing some excellent football although when they took the lead for the first time on 78 minutes it was somewhat fortuitous. Substitute Nathan Stone’s first contribution was to win a tame free kick and from Gareth Heath’s delivery home defender Joe O’Brien glanced a header beyond his own keeper for an own goal. This merely increased the visitor’s dominance and only the woodwork denied the Blues further goals. First Danny Smy on 80 minutes and then Nathan Stone two minutes later struck the post before Leiston finally sealed the win in the final minute. The unmarked Rhys Henry side footed home his fourth goal of the season from Nathan Stone’s cross to complete a good afternoon’s work. After a sensational start Leiston produced a hardworking and at times, dominant display against a side with aspirations of the play offs. A good start in a difficult month with three of the next games against sides in the top four. Potters Bar Town: Bennett, Harrison-Barker, Lavers, O’Brien, Odamo, Urquhart, Simms, Magwood, Harrison, Pett, Penney. Subs: Dedman, Balic, McLauchlan, Gershfield and Clifford. Leiston: Johnson, Saker, Wardley, D Head, Jefford, Calver, Henry (Merritt 91 mins), Heath (Stone 77 mins), Smy, Ottley-Gooch, P Brothers. Subs not used: Munson and Norfolk. Man of the Match: Shane Wardley
Leiston 2 Enfield Town 1 A stirring second half fight back saw the Blues end Enfield Town's twelve game unbeaten run following a superb second half display. After falling behind to Liam Hope's 53rd minute opener, Rhys Henry levelled five minutes later before a great strike from Nathan Stone won the game.Leiston extended their run to eight games after a superb win in this top of the table ‘six pointer’. Visitors Enfield Town arrived at Victory Road defending a twelve game unbeaten run including seven wins in their last seven games. The win was even more impressive seeing as Leiston were without the services of the suspended Sheridan Driver and Danny Smy and the injured trio of Stuart Boardley, Mark Goldfinch and Luke Hammond. The Blues made a blistering start in front of a crowd in excess of 200 and almost took a first minute lead. Nathan Stone eluded two challenges before setting up Gareth Heath whose shot smacked against the bar. Nathan Stone then fired wide when well placed and the same players was denied by Noel Imber when clean through. Joe Jefford then saw a 22nd minute header headed off the line by Mark Kirby as Leiston bossed. But the visitors weathered the home pressure and then the North London side then had a period of pressure forcing Leiston deep into their own half. Enfield then almost took a 36th minute lead when Jordan Lockie went almost the length of the field before firing inches wide. The game was becoming a great spectacle between two very good sides and a very entertaining half ended goal less. That stat stayed in-tact until eight minutes into the second half as the visitors took the lead. Leading scorer Liam Hope pouncing inside the box after Lon Moore’s corner was not cleared. The goal galvanised the hosts and the lead lasted just five minutes. Patrick Brothers did well down the left and his low cross across the face of goal found its way to Rhys Henry who fired home his fifth goal of the season. It was now game on and Leiston started playing some excellent football but were almost undone in the 73rd minute but Louis Johnson produced a fine save from Dean Pennant’s header. But two minutes later Leiston seized the advantage with Man of the Match Nathan Stone on target. Rhys Henry’s clever flick released the Leiston striker but he still had a lot to do. He shrugged off the attentions of David Kendall to slot home beyond Noel Imber for his eighth goal of the campaign. Leiston were in the ascendancy and a fine solo run from Gareth Heath almost brought a third goal in the final minute but after easing past three defender he shot wide. It didn’t matter as the Blues recorded a fine victory. A cracking game and for the second successive week the Blues had to come from behind to win. Enfield arrived brimming with confidence but left defeated and deservedly so. A good springboard to take into some further testing fixtures. Leiston: Johnson, Saker, Wardley, Head, Jefford, Calver, Henry, Heath, Stone, Ottley-Gooch, P Brothers. Subs not used: Leitao, Merritt, Munson and Norfolk. Enfield Town: Imber, Lockie, Siva, Kendall, Kirby, Pennant (Hall 88 mins), Wallace, Moore (Johnston 82 mins), Hope (Ailey 70 mins), Ewang, Osei. Subs not used: McKay and Matata. George East Man of the Match: Nathan Stone
