WHYTELEAFE maintained their promotion push with a convincing 3-0 win over Corinthian yesterday (Saturday).
However, a narrow 1-0 victory for rivals Ashford United over Tunbridge Wells means a point is still required from the last two games of the season to be sure of going up from the Southern Counties East League.
The opening stages were an even affair, mostly a midfield battle and the first clear chance came on 25 minutes when Greg Andrews hit a curling shot from 20 yards, pushed around the post by Corinthian keeper Richard Stroud.
The deadlock was broken on 33 minutes when Sam Clayton shot low past Stroud from the edge of the area, notching up Leafe's 100th league goal of the campaign.
Just before the break Bentley Graham doubled the hosts' lead, cutting in from the right wing to calmly slot the ball low past the advancing Stroud.
After the break Leafe dominated the game, and striker Roscoe Dsane was denied three times from close range by Stroud who was producing an outstanding display between the sticks. On 54 minutes Andrews met a perfect Cedric Abraham cross with a volley from 18 yards that flashed inches wide.
Dsane was denied twice more by Stroud, blocking a snapshot at his near post then leaping to block a chip from 12 yards.
Leafe keeper Sheikh Ceesay was finally called into action in the 68th minute when winger Ayo Olukoga burst into the box and unleashed a goal-bound shot, blocked smartly with his legs by the alert stopper.
Dsane turned provider on 69 minutes, breaking down the left and crossing smartly to Clayton who saw his shot saved once more by Stroud. Next Abraham crossed from the right and Andrews sent a fierce header inches over the bar.
The third Whyteleafe goal came on 81 minutes when a Graham cross from the left was headed on by Jensen Grant and captain Jason Thompson poked the ball home at the far post. The final chance of the game fell to Graham in the last minute, firing wide when well placed to add to his earlier strike.
Leafe remain firm promotion favourites and a Bank Holiday Monday clash with rivals Ashford United provides the perfect opportunity to complete matters with a game in hand.
Whyteleafe: Ceesay, Tommy Smith, Abraham, Hollingsworth (Penfold 28), Merchant, Thompson, Graham, Grant, Dsane (Ryan Fowler 72), Clayton, Andrews (Taylor Smith 72). Subs not used: Burnett (GK), Pratt
