News & EventsLatest NewsCalendar
THIS AFTERNOON’S MATCH PREVIEW – LEISTON (HOME)

THIS AFTERNOON’S MATCH PREVIEW – LEISTON (HOME)

Paula Griffin18 Apr 2014 - 22:59
Share via
FacebookTwitter
https://www.pitchero.com/clubs

One week left of a marathon season and all to play for as the playoff chase enters the final furlong with the maiden visit of Leiston to Champion Hill

Game number 44 of the league season, the 58th of the gruelling campaign that has taken its toll on limbs and lungs but still the playoff picture is as unfathomable as an Uzbek art-house movie. With even Hendon, back in eighth spot, eight points shy of the Hamlet in fourth, still harbouring hopes of gate-crashing in the latter days, its perm four from seven for the coveted golden tickets to the playoff party.

For this afternoon’s opponents from Suffolk, the playoffs have long since faded into the realm of dreams but it was not always so, for after three wins out of four at the start of the season they were touted by many as a dark horse for promotion. Unfortunately a disastrous August Bank Holiday weekend that saw the Blues battered home and away by their county rivals, Bury Town and Lowestoft Town, conceding seven goals without reply in the process proved the catalyst for a calamitous crash into the lower echelons of the Premier Division. Nine games without a league win later, and out of both FA Cup and FA Trophy, Leiston’s promotion dreams had become relegation worries as they found themselves in the drop zone. The parlous position of the club saw manager Danny Laws tender his resignation after just seven months into the job. Steve Pitt stepped into the hot seat , kick-starting his reign with a vital 2-1 win away to East Thurrock United but six weeks later he was on his way with First Team Coach Steve Ball becoming the Blues’ third manager of the campaign. Like his predecessor, he got off to a flier with a 6-1 crushing of struggling Enfield Town. Unlike Pitt, he was able to maintain the momentum with big win in each of the next three league games, Leiston bagging nineteen goals in four games but more importantly maximum points to drag themselves up into mid table by the turn of the year.

2014 began with the visit of Dulwich Hamlet to Victory Road, the Hamlet taking the lead thanks to Nyren Clunis’ 5th minute cross shot that deceived ‘keeper Danny Gay. However the Blues fought back and levelled before the break when Craig Parker banged home an equaliser with a powerful shot. The home side went ahead on 52 minutes as Stuart Boardley’s perfectly weighted pass in split full back and defender with Joe Francis reading it adeptly to slide in and turn the ball past Yannick Nlate between the sticks for the Hamlet. The goal gave Leiston the momentum though Dean Lodge had what seemed a legitimate goal ruled out in the dying seconds.

The Blues continued to consolidate themselves in the safety zone, perhaps with a weather eye on building some momentum for a late dash towards the playoff spots. Since the defeat of Dulwich, and until last Tuesday’s perverse reverse at home to relegated Carshalton Athletic, the Blues had been beaten just twice, away to champions Wealdstone and second place AFC Hornchurch. Had it not been for that catastrophic collapse early season, today’s game would almost certainly be a vital clash for playoff places!

Tuesday’s night rare blip in form, the Robins clinging on after snatching an 11th minute lead against the the flow, saw defender Joe Jefford put in a full shift at centre half despite joining 35,000 others pounding the roads of the capital in Sunday’s London Marathon! Along with teammate Adam Tann, who was perhaps a little relived to be an unused substitute against Carshalton Athletic, both ran for causes close to their hearts, with Jefford fundraising for ‘Children with Cancer UK’ and Tann, ‘Orchid Male Cancer Awareness', which was co-founded by Tann’s oncologist, professor Tim Oliver. Tann was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2006, whilst playing for Leyton Orient, but was back playing during the latter stages of the 2006-07 season, following a successful operation.

This afternoon’s game kicks off at 3.00 pm at Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD.

The turnstiles will be open from approximately 12.30 pm with refreshment facilities available in the ground for early arrivals. As a healthy crowd is expected, why not avoid the late rush and relax. Before the game enjoy a drink or snack in our cosy clubhouse with live sport on the big screens, conveniently situated just a short walk from the turnstiles?

ADMISSION PRICES

  • £10 for Adults
  • £4 for Concessions (Seniors - 60+, Under 18s, Unemployed (UB40, Full Time Students and Members of the Armed Forces and Blue Light Services. PLEASE present valid ID)
  • Under 12s FREE accompanied by a paying adult.

Correct change would be appreciated in order to speed admission. Many thanks!

Programmes: £1.50

Further reading