Blues 0 Kingstonian 2

Leiston went out of the Ryman League Cup (Alan Turvey Trophy) as Kingstonian triumphed 2-0 at Victory Road on a freezing and foggy evening to advance to the semi final writes Mark Barber. The Blues made one change from the team that started against Burgess Hill Town ten days previous, Jake Taylor starting in place of Tom Winter with Danny Cunningham (suspended), Patrick Brothers, Leon Ottley-Gooch and Stuart Boardley all still sidelined. The K’s arrived later than planned for the game and Referee Nicholas Cooper wasn’t in any mood to delay the kick off so it was an ideal opportunity for Leiston to catch them cold early on. They nearly did this and should have been one up inside 3 minutes, Joe Francis missing probably the easiest chance he will have all season. Christy Finch was played through down the middle and he unselfishly squared the ball to Joe Francis, who, with the keeper grounded, had the whole goal at his mercy but only managed to pass the ball the wrong side of the post. Leiston were dealt a blow on 19 minutes when ‘keeper Ashlee Jones was forced off after picking up an injury in an innocuous looking coming together with Andre McCollin. Kingstonian began to have the better of the play as the half wore on, forcing a series of corners as their dangerous frontline caused the home team problems. K’s number eight Harold Odametey especially caught the eye first half, breaking play down as Leiston attacked and being creative going forward. A deflected free kick from K’s centre half Bruce Hogg was the closest either side had before the half time break with the game goalless.

HT - Blues 0 Kingstonian 0

The start of the second half saw another excellent chance for the home side. Gareth Heath released Christy Finch, who had a clear run in on goal. He opened his body up nicely but his left footed effort was well saved by K’s Number one Rob Tolfrey. The old cliché sprung to mind that Leiston may rue missing the two good chances they had. This proved to be the case as Kingstonian took the lead on 54 minutes. A great cross from the right hand side was met wonderfully by Pico Gomez, powerfully heading home and replicating the goal he scored back in the league fixture in August. Five minutes later the away side doubled their lead. Blake Saker lost possession midway inside the Blues defensive half. Pico Gomez played the ball into Peter Dean, who had time and space inside the area to turn and set himself and fire the ball low inside the near post. A couple of substitutions around the hour mark is sadly the last I can report on the action as the lingering fog which had been around most of the game really came down thick and visibility became very minimal. The Referee consulted with his assistant once but the decision was made to complete the game much to everybody’s bemusement but unfortunately I couldn’t accurately report anything further of the action. The game finished 2-0 to the K’s who advance to a home semi final with either Enfield Town or Wingate & Finchley. The Blues turn their attention back to the league with a trip to Leatherhead this coming Saturday.

FT - Blues 0 Kingstonian 2

Blues - Jones (Rossis 19 mins), Saker, Dunbar, Trotter, Jefford, Bullard, Taylor, Heath, Clark (Winter 63 mins), Finch, Francis (Baker 78 mins). Subs not used - Clarke and Oxbrow.

Kingstonian - Tolfrey, Bonnett-Johnson, Wells, O’Leary, Hogg (Page 61 mins), Inns, Bennett, Odamety, Gomez (Smith 77 mins), McCollin, Dean (Hudson 68 mins). Sub not used - Goode.

Match sponsors Cracknell Properties Limited Man of the Match - Gareth Heath

Attendance - 77