Blues 6 Ipswich Town XI 2

Leiston progressed to the quarter finals of this season’s Suffolk FA Premier Cup after a comfortable 6-2 victory over a young Ipswich Town XI in a match sponsored by Watson & Hillhouse. The Blues fielded an almost full strength side with only first choice centre half pairing Joe Jefford and Tom Bullard missing writes Mark Barber. Ipswich, in an away kit of all orange, started with enthusiasm and confidence, Conor McKendry and Ronaldo Jones looking especially lively with the latter showing his pace and trickery as early as the second minute, flashing a ball dangerously across goal. On 5 minutes Nick Ingram found Issac Maynard with space in the area but his side foot effort went high over the bar. It was evident fairly early on that Leiston would have the physical advantage and they began to assert that edge winning more headers and tackles. The home side’s first chance came on 11 minutes, Stuart Boardley playing a high and hopeful ball forward, Gareth Heath taking it nicely and lobbing a cross from the left which John Sands had time to measure. His volley was well executed but went just over. As the half wore on Leiston had the better of the play and continued to create some decent half chances. The best of which came on 25 minutes after a brilliant passage of play, Seb Dunbar received the ball inside the Ipswich penalty area after a quick one two and his shot beat Jacob Marsden in the away goal but hit the inside of the post and somehow stayed out. Ipswich looked as if they would get to half time with the game scoreless but on 45 minutes Gareth Heath gave the hosts a well deserved lead. Joe Francis beat Kolade Salaudeen down the left hand side and his pull back via a neat Tom Winter lay-off, found Gareth Heath who deflected shot found the back of the net.

HT - Blues 1 Ipswich Town XI 0

I am not sure anyone predicted a second half with seven further goals but that is what the 156 in attendance were treated to. On 55 minutes a cross from the right was spilled by Marsden and in his attempt to re-gather he brought down Gareth Heath. Referee Mr Sannerude awarded a penalty and Joe Francis stepped up and coolly doubled the Blues’s lead from the spot. On 63 minutes Leon Ottley-Gooch gave away a free kick on the Ipswich left hand side and from this Kieran Cathline headed home to bring the away side back into the contest. However just one minute later Leon Ottley-Gooch was involved again, but this time it was to powerfully head home Gareth Heath’s corner to restore the home side’s two goal advantage. The first of two dubious goalscorers came in the 73rd minute, Joe Francis claiming the goal after Ipswich twice failed to clear from a corner. It looked like the final touch came off an orange shirted defender but Joe Francis was happy to claim the goal. Three minutes later Sam Ford scored Ipswich’s second goal, Conor McKendry playing a delightful chipped ball through and Ford cleverly sent the ball the wrong side of Ashlee Jones in the home goal. As the clock ticked onto 90 minutes, Substitute Christy Finch easily fired home after great work from Tom Winter gifted him time and the freedom of the penalty area to pick his spot. The second dubious goalscorer came deep into added time, another Gareth Heath in-swinging corner was flicked goal wards by Christy Finch and Stuart Boardley made sure the ball was over the line. Both wanted to claim but from our angle we agreed the ball was finally touched home by Stuart Boardley from Christy Finch’s header. All this meant Leiston won 6-2 in an exciting game and go into the draw for the quarter finals. This Saturday the Blues travel to Kingstonian before Canvey Island visit Victory Road next Wednesday evening.

FT - Blues 6 Ipswich Town XI 2

Leiston: Jones, Saker, Dunbar, Ottley-Gooch, Boardley, Brothers, Cunningham (Clark 83 mins), Francis (Taylor 76 mins), Heath, Winter, Sands (Finch 68 mins). Unused subs: Rossis.

Ipswich Town XI: Marsden, Fowler (Wolfenden 74 mins), Daly, Salaudeen, Cathline, Maynard, Meldrum (Muamba 74 mins), Jones, McKendry, Ford, Ingram (Downes 60 mins). Unused subs: Fulwood and Wright.

Match sponsors Watson and Hillhouse Man of the Match - Seb Dunbar

Attendance - 156