Staines held to disappointing draw

Staines made the visit to East London to take on the Ryman Premier League's bottom club last Tuesday, and dropped two points on a desperately disappointing night. Steve Cordery was able to start Mark Nwokeji alongside Richard Butler for the first time, and also reintroduced Lewis Cook, while Marc Charles-Smith and Dwain Clarke were moved to the bench. Travelling but not involved was Victor Asombang, and the striker was released to join Harrow Borough by the end of the week. Leyton were on a run of 12 successive League defeats, following the loss of their manager (replaced in a caretaker capacity by Troy Townsend) and many of their players, who had been replaced largely by youth teamers. Staines attacked the south end of the ground in the first half, towards the not-quite-completed new covered stand. The pitch, although a little threadbare, was in very good condition - firm and flat - and the weather was cold and windy, with a protracted shower during the second half.At first there was nothing to suggest that Staines would not emerge with the expected routine victory. After dominating the opening exchanges, skipper Matt Flitter celebrated his second goal of the week when he sidefooted home from six yards, following a Leigh Mason free kick. Then, on 21 minutes, Richard Butler bagged his first for the club, when he got his head to a Nwokeji cross. Although young goalkeeper Sam Tanner made an agile save, he was powerless to keep the ball out when Butler controlled the rebound and planted his close range shot into the corner of the net.Staines were rampant, with a couple of other chances denied by narrow offsides, while Leyton had two players booked - Ramos-Gonzalez for a foul on Nwokeji, and skipper Desmond Thomas for shirt pulling. On 27 minutes, Howard Newton netted what might have been a third goal, but the strike was ruled out for another offside decision. However, the home side did create a handful of half-chances, but McCoy, Gonzalez and Gracey could not keep their efforts on target.However, on 43 minutes, Danny Gordon was cautioned for a foul on Imbert 20 yards out, and John Bricknell curled a stunning free kick into the top corner. On the stroke of half time, Butler raced unopposed towards goal, only to be tripped by captain Desmond Thomas, who received a straight red card. Staines now faced a young team without one of its most experienced players - but as it transpired, the goal which Butler might have scored would have been so much more valuable to them.Troy Townsend made his opinions on the dismissal loudly known as the teams left the field, leading to a disagreement in the players' tunnel, which in turn prompted Essex referee Andrew Parker to dismiss both managers from the benches for the second half, along with one of the Leyton subs (Victor Renner) who had not yet come on. Half time was extended by some 12 minutes while everything settled down, aided by League Secretary Nick Robinson who happened to be present. Strangely, after the two teams took the field for the restart, Leyton were then called off again by Mr Townsend, prompting worries that they were walking off - only for it to be realised that the referee and his assistants had not yet emerged.Thankfully, the second half was played in a very sporting fashion by both teams, and there was not so much as a yellow card for the remainder of the game.Clarke was an early addition replacing Cook for the Swans, who continued to look for more goals: however, Nwokeji's one-on-one was thwarted by the outstanding Tanner, the stand-in captain, who also dived to keep out his long shot. However, as the rain started to fall, Leyton started to make inroads, and Shaun Lee proved to be something of a midfield general. On 70 minutes, another Nwokeji effort was well saved by Tanner, and Butler as not quite able to turn the rebound in as a defender got back to force the corner. On 74 minutes, Butler and Nwokeji showed more evidence of what will hopefully proved to be a very fruitful partnership, when the newcomer did some good work on the left and crossed for Nwokeji to hit a first time volley against the post, from 20 yards, with Newton dragging the rebound wide.A corner shortly after was met by a powerful Adrian Toppin header, which was also well saved by Tanner, who appeared to have hurt his back when diving to his left, but was able to continue after treatment. He showed no sign of injury when helping a Clarke free kick over the bar, despite his small stature. Staines were stunned to concede an equaliser with just five minutes of normal time remaining, when they broke down the left and crossed for Bricknell to hit another fine shot on the turn from just inside the box. Kareem Imbert might have snatched a winner, when he broke away on his own, but fired over the bar. Meanwhile, Staines tried desperately to salvage a victory, but in a huge 87th minute scramble, Nwokeji, Mason and Sargent all had efforts blocked, and two chances fell to Clarke in stoppage time, but both went fractionally off target.

The only relief for Staines was that the point was enough to lift them to 3rd spot, as both Horsham and Hornchurch suffered surprise defeats on the same night.

Staines: Courtnage, Nugent, Sargent, Gordon, Flitter , Mason, Cook (Clarke 49), Toppin, Butler (Charles-Smith 81), Nwokeji, H Newton; unused Bashkal, Thompson, Duku.Leyton: Tanner, McCoy, Ramos-Gonzalez, Gracey, A Thomas (Ojelabi HT), D Thomas SO 45, Lee, Okyere, Imbert, J Bricknell, Luke (Edwards 76); unused Dallender, Renner SO HT, Haywood.Ref: Parker; ARs Tilley, Franklin (all Essex); est att 62.