Leiston up to second as Matt Blake breaks his duck and Thurrock are sent packing

Matt Blake celebrates with his Leiston team-mates after scoring for the Blues against Thurrock. (Image: Archant)

Leiston’s hot-shot striker Matt Blake broke his duck for the season with two carbon copy goals, one in each half were enough to see off a hard-working Thurrock at Victory Road, writes David Rees.

Sandwiched in between his goals was a Jack Ainsley penalty as Leiston remain the only unbeaten side in the Bostik Premier Division.

It took Leiston just a couple of minutes to create their first chance when Regan Pelling’s through ball sent Blake scampering through, but former Lowestoft keeper Jake Jessop saved well.

Reece Morgan then tested Marcus Garnham, but the Leiston keeper was equal to his effort.

Thurrock's Adetayo Osifuwa challenges Regan Pelling of Leiston. Photos: PAUL VOLLER (Image: Archant)

The home side went ahead midway through the half when Blake finished well from a tight angle underneath Jessup to open his account for the season. Leiston doubled their advantage when, after a somewhat dubious handball decision, Ainsley planted his penalty past Jessop’s outstretched hand.

The visitors got themselves back into the game on half-time when a shot rebounded off the post allowing the impressive Reece Morgan to tap-in from close range.

Leiston restored their two-goal cushion early in the second half when Pelling sent Blake clear and after holding off a defender he again finished clinically from a tight angle.

After the third goal, Leiston were able to contain the visitors and despite their efforts Thurrock were restricted to few clear-cut chances.

Marcus Garnham makes a point-blank save from Thurrock's Reece Morgan (No 2). Photos: PAUL VOLLER (Image: Archant)

However, right at the death Garnham had to be at his best to beat away a a decent free kick and then deep in to stoppage time he somehow kept the ball out with an acrobatic save low to his right from Morgan’s close-range effort to maintain the home side’s two-goal cushion & secure the three points.

Leiston, up to second in the table now behind big-spending Billericay, entertain Harlow Town at Victory Road on Tuesday.

Elsewhere in Bostik Premier, 10-man Lowestoft Town went down 3-2 at Kingsonian.

Despite losing Dean Leacock who was sent off, Lowestoft took the lead through Ollie Humphrey, only for the K’s to equalise. Jake Reed put the Trawlermen ahead from the penalty spot. But the game turned on its head in the last quarter of an hour. Lewis Taylor equalised and Ricky Sappleton buried a header.