Blues 2-1 AFC Telford United

The Blues defeated their Shropshire opponents on a warm afternoon as Leiston gained their first three points of the season.
Goals from Spencer Keller and Joe Marsden,
either side of the break, ensured the Blues of the win, although AFC Telford United made it uncomfortable at the end when sub Ty Webster converted after Leiston keeper Sam Donkin made a penalty save in the third minute of stoppage time in the second period. It was just the second ever meeting between the sides, with Leiston coming out on top in the FA Cup in October 2020 against Telford, winning 9-8 on penalties after the tie ended goalless after ninety minutes.

The match was kindly sponsored by Mr Paul Andrews. Chris Wigger and Darren Eadie kept the same eleven as last week with goalkeeper Oliver Dawson and Cameron Rayworth coming into the squad and Adam Bailey-Dennis dropping out.

Leiston began well. Joe Marsden’s early free kick was blocked by the away defence before the resultant delivery back in went just wide of Andrew Hall’s left hand post. Ollie Saunders was then booked for a challenge on a Telford player while the visitors first chance was curled over by Montel Gibson on 17 minutes. The hosts did hit the front on 25 minutes though, when a good move upfield saw the Blues win a corner and a short set piece was worked to Spencer Keller who struck a left foot shot into Hall’s top right hand corner. Keller then had to be replaced by Jake Spooner after the player picked up an injury. Good work by Jamar Loza on 36 minutes saw Leiston win a corner again and the ball was cleared only as far to Joe Marsden who crashed the ball against the crossbar. Late in the half, Sam Donkin thwarted Montel Gibson before Rossi Jarvis headed Dinanga’s effort over his own bar.

The hosts began the second half well and Hall in goal had to clear off his own goal line after letting a pass back underneath him on 50 minutes. The second goal came on 56 minutes. Good play by Zach Dronfield and Seb Dunbar on the left saw the latter centre a perfect ball to Loza who beat the keeper to the ball with a header and Marsden prodded the ball over the line. Leiston then defended well for the remainder of the game and Telford found it hard to get in behind, although the away side hit a post from a corner and had a couple of strikes from long range go off target from Jordan Piggott and Montel Ginson. Late on, Telford won a penalty but Sam Donkin made a good save to his right before a move back into the area allowed Ty Webster to score. Leiston saw the game out though to deservedly take the points.

FT: - Blues 2-1 AFC Telford United.

Leiston now head to a Berkhamstead in a first ever meeting between the two sides on Tuesday evening.

Line-ups: -

Blues: - Donkin, Hill (sub Jackson 81 mins), Dunbar, Saunders, Casement, Dronfield, Crane, Rossi Jarvis, Keller (sub Spooner 32 mins), Marsden, Loza (sub Ryan Jarvis 90 mins). Subs not used: - Rayworth, Dawson (GK).

AFC Telford United: - Hall, Myles-Tebbutt, Fox, Piggott, Kerr, Pendley, Dinanga, Forsyth (sub Yusuf 86 mins), Gibson, McQuilkin (sub Webster 63 mins), Moore (sub Mitford 86 mins). Subs not used: - Bood, West.

Match Sponsor, Mr Paul Andrews, Man Of The Match: - Joe Marsden.

Attendance: - 231.