Leiston Football Club

 

 

 

Leiston moved to within three points of second spot with a comprehensive but narrow victory. The home side had to wait until deep into stoppage time to overcome a hard working visiting Jockeys side. The home side produced a display full of energy and on chances created, should have been out of sight by the interval. Brothers went close early on as did McGlone while Wardley missed the best opportunity on 21 minutes as Hulyer's trailing leg denied him a third in as many games from twelve yards. On a heavy pitch Leiston played some excellent football while Newmarket, happy to counter, almost stole an unlikely lead when Bugg ghosted into the box but hit the side netting when faced with just Stannard to beat. The home side responded with McGlone hitting the bar from a Boardley corner and then Vowden deflected Boardley's driven centre against the post. The deadlock was finally broken on 56 minutes as Boardley released Wardley down the left whose square pass found MCGLONE and he cleverly created space before rifling home from the edge of the box for his 22nd goal of the season. Leiston continued to attack and Williams saw a header saved by Hulyer from a great cross from Ottley-Gooch. Somewhat against the run of play the visitors were level fifteen minutes later as a fortunate ricochet allowed Drake the chance to fire home past the onrushing Stannard. The game then saw a period of niggly fouls as the heavy pitch started to take its toll on the players. But Leiston refused to relent and after Boardley went close with a rasping drive and Hulyer denied Brothers, deep into stoppage time Boardley's delicate free kick was headed across goal by Calver for GOLDFINCH at the far post to head home his first goal of the season. While the Jockeys will feel hard done by, Leiston deserved the win for their effort and desire and the allotted time allowed for stoppages seemed spot on especially for the substitutions and delays. A second successive win and we must now keep it going into the next match which is again at home on Saturday against Stanway Rovers.

 

Leiston line up: Jamie Stannard, Brett Girling, Shane Wardley, David Head, Mark Goldfinch, Neil Calver, Leon Ottley-Gooch, Stuart Boardley, Michael Brothers, Lee McGlone, Chris Sillett (Chris Williams 64 mins). Subs not used: Justyn Chenery, Paul Hart, Kelsey Trotter and Joe Button.