Kingstonian 1 Blues 3

The Blues made one change to their starting line-up from Tuesday's draw with Margate with Christy Finch replacing Matt Blake.

On a really sticky pitch, the game came to life as early as the second minute. Jack Ainsley delicately chipped ball to Christy Finch was brilliantly smashed into the net from just inside the area to give home custodian Rob Tolfrey no chance. Another good chance fell to Tom Bullard but his shot was well blocked, while after a good team move, Chris Henderson’s strike was saved by Tolfrey with his feet. In the 17th minute, Kingstonian thought they had levelled but the Referee’s Assistant had his flag raised for offside. Just a minute later and home forward Andre McCollin was through on goal but Marcus Garnham stood up well to palm the ball away for a corner. Michael West's cross was well dealt with by Marcus Garnham moments later before the away keeper gathered from Manolis Goganas’ corner. The lively Michael West fired over from a free kick on the edge of the penalty area. Leiston’s next opportunity came when Darren Mills put Tolfrey under pressure that allowed Kyle Hammond to have a shot but Tolfrey was equal to it. The home keeper then received some treatment for a couple of minutes. In the last chance of the half, Darren Mills hit straight at Tolfrey from Byron Lawrence’s free kick.

Byron Lawrence struck well wide at the start of the second period for Leiston, and after another good move, Jake Reed volleyed over the top on the angle. A few moments later and the combination of Kyle Hammond, Chris Henderson and Christy Finch saw the latter deliver a decent ball that Tolfrey claimed from the sliding Jake Reed. The home keeper produced another valuable save when he turned a deflected Christy Finch shot round his right hand post. Kingstonian substitute Greg Cundle spurned a great chance when he sliced wide of the target, but it was Leiston who got the all important second goal. Byron Lawrence’s dangerous cross was put into his own net by defender Rob Bartley. The visitors, however, got back into the match as substitute Toby Ajala netted a cracking goal from 25 yards, the ball finding Marcus Garnham’s top right hand corner. The hosts applied late pressure but with four minutes of normal time to play, Jake Reed turned Kyle Hammond’s cross into the net as Leiston took home all three points.

FT - Kingstonian 1 Blues 3

Kingstonian - Tolfrey, Gogonas, Arthur (Ajala 62 mins), Maclaren, Bartley, Francis, West (Yao 64 mins), Beere, Williams, McCollin (Cundle 58 mins), Amoo. Subs not used - Hunte and Fundi.

Blues - Garnham, Hammond, Dunbar, Ainsley, Jefford, Bullard, Lawrence, Henderson (Marsden 81 mins), Reed, Finch (Brothers 73 mins), Mills (Docherty 73 mins). Subs not used - Blake and Trotter.

Man of the Match - Joe Jefford

Attendance - 205