Leiston boss has few complaints after Billericay Town defeat
Glenn Driver - Credit: Archant
Leiston manager Glenn Driver had few complaints after watching the Blues slip to their second successive defeat in the Ryman Premier, 2-0 at Billericay Town.
First half goals from Jake Robinson and Olly Sprague gave the big-spending hosts a comfortable win at New Lodge, leaving Leiston in third position – one of three sides on 68 points – but just a point clear of sixth-placed Dulwich Hamlet, who are just outside the play-off spots.
Eighth-placed Billericay boosted their own chances of a top-five finish with a robust performance that saw them dominate possession for much of the first half, although Matt Blake, who recently turned down a big-money move to the Essex club, missed two decent chances.
“We just came up against a physically strong side but saying that, we gave them their goals from our mistakes,” said Driver.
“If you don’t give them the ball they don’t score. We didn’t have to concede the corner for the first goal and the second goal he (Sprague) has hit from range,
Leiston were up against a team that has been transformed on and off the pitch by new owner/manager, Glenn Tamplin, £24,000 striker Robinson, former England defender Paul Konchesky, and ex-Leiston midfielder, Byron Lawrence, just three of his big signings to start the game.
Another, former Tottenham and Wolves star, Jamie O’Hara – most recently known for his stint on Celebrity Big Brother – was on the bench.
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Asked if Leiston had come up against Billericay at the wrong time, Driver added: “There’s never a good time to play here. A lot of people are calling this a football circus, but I call it a football club.
“A lot of clubs have done it, Manchester City, Chelsea, and they have been successful because of the resources they have got.
“I think they will go on to smash this league and smash the next one, although I think they will find it tougher in the National Premier.
“I wish them all the best and there’s no sour grapes from me.”
Leiston go to Merstham tomorrow and Driver said: “Bognor (away) on Tuesday took it out of the lads, we have come here today and go to Merstham on Tuesday.
“I think the league have to look at that (situation).”
