Blues 6 Haverhill Rovers 1

The Blues eased to a 6-1 win over Thurlow Nunn Premier side Haverhill Rovers as they progressed to the Quarter Finals of the Suffolk Premier Cup in a MATCH SPONSORED BY HOOPERS ARCHITECTS. There was no Joe Jefford, Byron Lawrence, Dominic Docherty or Jake Reed in the starting line-up, meaning it was a chance for other players to shine on the night.

The evening got off to a great start as Leiston took the lead after just 26 seconds. Matt Blake got away from his marker on the left hand side to cross for Matt Rutterford, who slid the ball into Mitchell Ware's bottom right hand corner. Ware punched away a corner moments later as Haverhill were finding it hard to settle. Matt Blake found himself in the penalty box again but this time his shot was hooked off the line. Leiston doubled their lead in the 12th minute. A ball into the area from newly signed Robert Eagle was flicked on by Christy Finch, and Matt Blake smashed the ball into the back of the net. The away side then had a couple of good chances of their own. They tried their luck from outside the box which hit Marcus Garnham's crossbar, before Haverhill captain Jake Noble shot just over in the area from a corner. Dunbar shot wide for Leiston, while Mitchell Burr volleyed way over the bar, and after some slack Leiston defending, Luke Haines tried to lob Marcus Garnham but he was just off target. Leiston got their third goal nine minutes before the break, with Matt Blake finishing well first time after a good team move. Mike Davis turned in the area and shot just past Garnham's left hand post and Matt Blake fired inches wide of Ware's goal as the half came to it's conclusion.

Christy Finch had a good opportunity at the beginning of the second period, but could only steer the ball just the wrong side of the post. Rob Eagle however made it four after good persistence to put the game to bed. Joshua Moore had a shot saved, but Matt Blake netted his hat-trick in the 61st minute as he put the ball under Ware. Marcus Garnham claimed a free kick well, as Leiston had further chances but could not capitalise. Noel Aitkens made a last ditch challenge on Mike Davis in the penalty area, and Ware made a good stop from Christy Finch. Haverhill pulled a goal back in the 76th minute, as Luke Haines curled home a free kick from just outside the area. Manager Boardley brought on all three Leiston subs, which included another run out for young Jac Garrard and also local lad Joe Murphy, who was making his debut. Christy Finch rounded off proceedings with a great individual goal two minutes from the end of normal time. A good run ended with him shooting into Mitchell Ware's bottom left hand corner.

Leiston now entertain Rushall Olympic in league action on Saturday at Victory Road in their next match.

FT - Blues 6 Haverhill Rovers 1

Blues - Garnham, Hammond, Dunbar, Aitkens (Murphy 79 mins), Knights, Bullard (Brothers 56 mins), Moore, Rutterford, Blake, Finch, Eagle (Garrard 68 mins). Sub not used - Lay-Fulcher.

Haverhill Rovers - Ware, Halls (Holmes 65 mins), Fox, Yallop, Noble, Carroll, Abbott, Burr (Miles 77 mins), Lovell (Bradley 45 mins), Haines, Davis.

Match Sponsors HOOPERS ARCHITECTS Man Of The Match - Matt Blake

Attendance - 98