By Brian Davis

Whyteleafe had to rely on a late equaliser to claim a 2-2 draw at home to Corinthian in the Kent League Premier Division.

Despite torrential weather, the game went ahead thanks to the efforts of the Church Road volunteers.

And before the match, an impeccable minute's silence was observed for Allen Kelly - a Whyteleafe stalwart who will be sadly missed.

The early exchanges were fairly even with both sides taking time to get to grip with the difficult conditions.

Chris Kinnear was an early casualty being inadvertantly taken out by his own player, but recovered to play a significant part in the match.

Leafe's first good chance came in the 24th minute when a long ball saw Jerson Dos Santos clear but keeper Richard Stroud was out quickly enough to save at his feet.

Paul Scott then beat two defenders on the edge of the box, his shot was parried by Stroud into the path of Dos Santos but the defence did well to block his shot.

A minute later Getro Kilapi's shot was deflected for a corner, where Bentley Graham's delivery was flicked on to the far post where Cedric Abraham was on hand to score from close range.

Corinthian should have equalised in the 37th minute when a corner from Jack Nuttall found Ryan Johnson in the box but he completely missed a free header.

Another cross from Nuttall in the 40th minute however brought an equaliser when Kinnear headed into the net.

The visitors went ahead early in the second half when another cross from Nuttall into the box was back-heeled into the path of Charlie Burgess who scored from close range.

As Leafe pushed for an equaliser, Kilapi was penalised for simulation when he went down in the Corinthian penalty area far too easily.
 

But they had the best of play in the closing stages, althought had to wait until the 85th minute before they got the equaliser.

A fine cross from the left by Tommy Smith found Graham at the far post who headed home to equalise and gain a share of the points for Leafe.

Leafe moved up to fourth in the table, three points behind Rochester in third, but 10 points behind Erith & Belvedere in second. 

This weekend, Leafe travel to Deal Town in Kent.