Blues 0 Harlow Town 0

Harlow were looking for their first away points of the season as they were welcomed them to Victory Road. Leiston welcomed back Seb Dunbar, Christy Finch and Dominic Docherty into the line up while Joe Marsden, Robert Eagle and Regan Pelling dropped to the bench.

Leiston were kicking towards the Estate End end in the first half and struggled against the wind at times. Harlow started the better side for the first few minutes as Leiston were trying to adapt to conditions on the evening. Leiston broke away for their first attack of the night but Christy Finch's cross flashed wide of the goal. Marcus Garnham made a good save to push the ball round his left post moments later and from the resultant corner he blocked twice as good defending on the line denied Harlow opening the scoring. Christy Finch tried to find Matt Blake but he couldn't pick him out in the box with his cross and Byron Lawrence had a pot shot from a corner go high and wide. After gaining a free kick down the left hand side, Kyle Hammond's free kick was well punched away by McNamara and he also received a free kick for his troubles. James Baker was replaced by Stanley Mugou halfway through the half for Harlow and Leiston were now starting to play better. A good team move ended with good play by Byron Lawrence and Christy Finch setting up Seb Dunbar whose shot was superbly blocked by Ben McNamara and even though Matt Blake finished the follow up effort, he was flagged offside. Hesitant away defending shortly later ended with Christy Finch striking wide of the target. A good break away by Christy Finch and Kyle Hammond teed'd up Matt Blake but he saw his attempt go out for a corner. Matt Blake hassled goalkeeper Ben McNamara and his pass found Chris Henderson whose curled shot was blocked on the line. The final significant action of the half saw Seb Dunbar cautioned and Harlow's free kick was well punched away by Marcus Garnham.

Just ninety seconds into the second half and good interlink play by Byron Lawrence and Christy Finch ended with Byron Lawrence curling the ball over the right hand upright. A good move by Harlow down the right hand side saw Nigel Neita balloon the ball up in the air with the Harlow players challenge on Marcus Garnham deemed offside. Leiston were defending well as Harlow started to get a foothold in the game again. Fabian Simms missed a header to let Christy Finch in but his cross was diverted for a corner by the recovering Simms. Byron Lawrence's
corner was headed wide by Joe Jefford. A good run by Chris Henderson that started on the left flank and saw him cut inside concluded with him having an effort that went wide of McNamara's right hand post. Leiston had a great chance to open the scoring on the night when a loose back pass was met by the alert Matt Blake but he fired straight down the throat of the Harlow keeper. Marcus Garnham had to make a cracking save from Alex Read high to his left hand side as time was running out. Leiston had a couple more half chances before sub Regan Pelling helped the ball on but Matt Blake was beaten to the ball by McNamara. With both teams making late changes, Leiston had a chance in the first minute of added on time when a great move by Joe Marsden, Chris Henderson and Seb Dunbar set up Dominic Docherty at the back post but he somehow hooked the ball over the bar from inside the six yard box. The final play of the match saw Chris Henderson have a run into the box and he seemed to be upended in the penalty area, but the penalty appeals were waved away by Referee Carl Pearse.

FT - Blues 0 Harlow Town 0

Blues - Garnham, Hammond (Marsden 80 mins), Dunbar, Ainsley, Jefford (Ford 83 mins), Bullard, Lawrence, Henderson, Blake, Finch (Pelling 80 mins), Docherty. Subs not used - Brothers and Eagle.

Harlow Town - McNamara, Pope, Kimpala Mayasi, Baker (Muguo 21 mins), Sonko, Simms, Small, Gordon, Read (Livings 85 mins), Fagg (Dobson 79 mins), Neita. Subs not used - Dickens and Lee.

Man of the Match - Marcus Garnham

Attendance - 244