Blues 3 Bury Town 2

After suffering defeat to Bury Town in each of the past three semi finals of the Suffolk Premier Cup the Blues finally gained revenge in a match sponsored by Victory Car Sales Limited. Bury came to Victory Road as holders and both sides started with their strongest line ups based on previous fixtures. The slick surface certainly suited the home side in the early exchanges although the visitors were incensed with barely a minute played when they had a very good shout for a penalty turned down. Tevan Allen’s deep right wing cross searched for Jordan Patrick at the far post who looked to be nudged in the back by Scott Mitchell. Leiston responded almost immediately and Marcus Garnham was forced into a low save to deny Joe Francis. The early attacks saw Joe Francis teasing Tevan Allen at right back and on six minutes the Blues opened the scoring initially, via a left wing attack. Joe Francis driven centre was deflected wide and from Stuart Boardley’s corner Craig Parker turn smartly from fifteen yards to send an arrowed shot into the right hand corner. Leiston were well on top but were stunned on 16 minutes as the visitors fashioned an excellent equaliser. Curtis Shaw collected a loose ball around the circle centre and sent a defence splitting pass for Joe Benjamin to race clear and round Danny Gay before firing into the net. The visitors joy lasted three minutes as the Blues nudged ahead again via leading scorer Gareth Heath. Stuart Boardley’s long throw was flicked on by Joe Jefford and Gareth Heath controlled and turned to send his shot beyond Marcus Garnham from six yards. Leiston extended their lead further three minutes and it was déjà-vu as Stuart Boardley’s long throw saw Joe Jefford out muscle Callum Bennett at the near post and Leon Ottley-Gooch timed his run to sweep home from six yards. Amazingly it was almost four a minute later as yet another Stuart Boardley throw saw Joe Jefford flick on yet somehow three home players just failed to make contact with the goal at their mercy. Joe Francis flashed a shot into the side netting and then only a timely block from David Femiola denied Jack Simmons. Despite the hosts dominance Bury still posed a threat in attack and two minutes before the break Joe Benjamin was twice thwarted by Danny Gay with the second attempt Gay denying Callum Bennett from the initial save.

The second half resumed with Bury in determined mood and their positive start was rewarded on 56 minutes with a fine pass from Joe Benjamin finding Jordan Patrick who still had plenty to do before sending a fine shot beyond the despairing dive of Danny Gay. In response Craig Parker headed over while Danny Gay did well to turn Curtis Shaw’s effort wide as his shot had taken a deflection. Bury were certainly pressing higher up the pitch affording the Blues no time in possession or down the flanks where they had dominated the opening half. But for all Bury’s endeavour the hosts were still asking questions. The stretching Craig Parker just failed to direct his header goalwards from Gareth Heath’s cross while a stunning close range save from Marcus Garnham denied Adam Tann from Stuart Boardley’s free kick. The game was now extremely stretched and after Jordan Patrick hooked an effort across the face and wide, Ross Bailey’s effort wasn’t far wide of Danny Gay’s goal. With five minutes remaining Leon Ottley-Gooch thought he had sealed the win as he rose unmarked to meet Joe Francis’ cross but he saw his header thump against the post with Marcus Garnham rooted to the spot. As the clock ticked into stoppage time Danny Gay made a great save low to his right to keep out Ross Bailey’s twenty yard effort and with it went the last chance of the evening.

FT – Blues 3 Bury Town 2

Blues line up – Gay, Mitchell (Saker 68 mins), Boardley, Tann, Jefford, Bullard, Simmons (Winter 68 mins), Heath, Ottley-Gooch, Parker, Francis. Subs not used – Brothers and Vincent.

Goals – Craig Parker 6 mins, Gareth Heath 19 mins, Leon Ottley-Gooch 22 mins (Leiston), Joe Benjamin 16 mins, Jordan Patrick 56 mins (Bury Town)

Yellow cards – Joe Francis & Tom Winter (Leiston), Phil Weavers (Bury Town)

Victory Car Sales Man of the Match – Tom Bullard

Attendance - 146