Blues 1 Needham Market 1 (Blues win 3-0 on penalties)

For the second season running the Blues dumped Needham Market out of the Robert Dyas (Ryman) League Cup but had to do it the hard way via the dreaded penalty shoot out after the sides were locked at 1-1 after full time in a match sponsored by Cracknell Properties. The home side made four changes to the squad that won at Kingstonian while the visitors made seven changes from their squad at Romford clearly with one eye on their FA Cup tie at the weekend. As expected the home side came out brightly and were quickly on the offensive with the returning Jack Simmons lively on the left wing. The former Colchester United midfielder crossed for Tom Winter on 8 minutes but he headed wide and then Blake Saker fired straight at James Bradbrook. On 11 minutes a fine trademark diagonal, defence splitting pass from Stuart Boardley picked out Jack Simmons who tee’d up Scott Mitchell but his soft effort was held low to his right by James Bradbrook. Tom Winter then headed over from a good position from a Patrick Brothers cross as the Blues bossed the opening quarter. The visitor’s first real opening came on 18 minutes but after some good build up play down the right James Crisell fired high over the home bar. Play switched to the Fairground End and a long Stuart Boardley throw was flicked on by Tom Bullard across the face of goal with no-one able to convert. The first corner of the evening came midway through the half for the hosts and several followed but these were well defended by the visitors. Former Blue Danny Cunningham fired high over Alex Rossis bar as did Leon Ottley-Gooch at the other end. Whilst Leiston were very creative down the flanks they were unable to really test James Bradbrook in the Needham goal and the half closed with Tom Bullard showing his frustration as he flashed wide on the turn from a Gareth Heath corner and then Tom Winter was denied close in from yet another Gareth Heath corner from a combination of James Bradbrook and Sam Nunn.

The visitors made a triple change at the resumption and one of those changes, Connor Ward, saw a well hit strike from the edge of the box whistle just a foot past Alex Rossis left hand post. Leon Ottley-Gooch then made space but his weak effort was easily gathered by James Bradbrook before the Blues made their first change, Virgilio Leitao replacing Gareth Heath. The young striker was soon in the action just failing to connect to Jack Simmons driven centre. Ace Howell then sent a header straight at Alex Rossis before Scott Mitchell miscued his header after good work down the right from Tom Winter. The deadline was broken on 69 minutes as former Blues striker Ryan Crisp’s clipped pass released Ace Howell from halfway and he neatly chipped the advancing Alex Rossis. The goal lifted the hosts into action and within three minutes they were level. Virgilio Leitao showed a neat trick to earn a corner on the right and from Stuart Boardley’s excellent delivery Joe Jefford powered home a header for his first goal of the season. Ryan Noy and Josh Merritt then replaced Jack Simmons and Joe Jefford as the hosts remained on the offensive. Scott Mitchell fired straight at James Bradbrook and then Leon Ottley-Gooch’s knock down to Tom Bullard was blazed over after good work from Virgilio Leitao. In the closing moments Ryan Crisp flashed a shot across the face of the six yard box as the game ended all square and onto penalties.

The Blues recent record in penalty shoot outs has not been impressive and as recent as last season’s competition, we had failed to get past AFC Sudbury. But there was no mistake this time as Alex Rossis proved to be the hero saving the opening three Needham penalties from Adam Mills, Jack Newman and Connor Ward while Patrick Brothers, Stuart Boardley and Scott Mitchell were all successful as the Blues triumphed 3-0 on penalties.

FT – Blues 1 Needham Market 1 (Blues win 3-0 on penalties)

Blues line up – Rossis, Saker, Brothers, Boardley, Jefford (Merritt 78 mins), Bullard, Mitchell, Heath (Leitao 57 mins), Ottley-Gooch, Winter, Simmons (Noy 78 mins). Sub not used – Francis.

Goals – Jefford 72 mins (Leiston), A Howell 69 mins (Needham Market)

Cracknell Properties Man of the Match – Patrick Brothers

Attendance - 161