fixtures and results | home page
A youthful Leafe team lost by a solitary goal to high flying Bognor in glorious spring sunshine down on the south coast.
In front of a bumper 449 crowd the hosts started strongly with Leafe keeper Michael Lidbury forced to save smartly twice during the opening 10 minutes, firstly a firmly struck free-kick by the Rocks’ veteran skipper Michael Birmingham, then a drive from former Portsmouth striker Luke Nightingale.
At the other end centre-back Tim Bond over-hit a back pass forcing keeper Craig Stoner to scramble back and clear the goal-bound ball off his own line. On 15 minutes Nightingale burst through the Leafe defence but fired wide when perfectly placed to do better.
The visitors began to press themselves, the pacey Fabien Batchelor dragging a shot wide of the upright on 20 minutes and shortly after a real scramble ensued with Leafe strikers having multiple shots on goal in a crowded area. Firstly a Batchelor strike was brilliantly saved one handed by Stoner, and then Kwabena Agyei had a shot blocked by the midriff of defender Stuart Axten. Stephane Gnamore and Batchelor both had another attempt thwarted before Agyei blasted over the bar.
On 26 minutes lively Bognor winger Ben Johnson hit a fine strike from distance, brilliantly pushed over by Lidbury who enjoyed an outstanding afternoon between the sticks.
The visitors finished the half strongest with Bentley Graham shooting from 18 yards, the bouncing ball turned around the post by the impressive Stoner.
After the break Bognor increased the tempo once more and in a period of sustained pressure Johnson forced another smart save by Lidbury and Daniel Aldous cleared off the line. Nightingale thought he had scored on 53 minutes; however he was adjudged offside, somewhat controversially as the through pass appeared to deflect off of a Leafe defender.
The Rocks did take the lead three minutes later when Johnson swung in another cross from the left, met by substitute Dan Royce who rifled home from 12 yards.
Whyteleafe refused to roll over and created chances at the other end, the finest a towering Fred Fleming header that was bound for the top corner before the impressive Stoner tipped the ball over his crossbar.
The hosts grew increasingly edgy, the result so crucial to their automatic promotion race with Met Police, but they held on to gain the three points.
Leafe manager Nicky English will reflect on a spirited performance from a very young Leafe side that showed plenty of promise for next season, almost certainly in the Ryman Division One South once again next term.
Whyteleafe: Lidbury, Aldous, Huell, Fleming, Laud-Anderson, Graham, Agyei, Sweeney, Batchelor, Gnamore (Webster 60), Sneddon (Banton 86).