Bedworth United 2-2 Leiston - Match Report

Leiston fought back from being two goals behind to grab a point against winless Bedworth United at ‘The Oval’.

Leiston were without Joe Jefford and Matt Rutterford (both unavailable) so in came Tom Bullard and George Keys, with the latter making his Leiston debut after his arrival from Brightlingsea Regent. Up front, Matt Blake was selected with Jake Reed as Christy Finch dropped to the bench.

The hosts took the lead after just 94 seconds as Montel Gibson was allowed to finish after a mix up between Tom Bullard and goalkeeper Charlie Beckwith. Jake Reed, Kyle Hammond and Matt Blake all went close to an equaliser as Leiston dominated possession but struggled to level. Charlie Beckwith saved a free kick well from Luke Rowe, but Bedworth doubled their lead in the 44th minute. Rowe once again tried a curling set piece on the edge of the area which deflected off a Leiston player and into the net.

The Blues came out for the second period with renewed hope however. Jake Reed pulled a goal back eleven minutes into the half as he turned in Kyle Hammond’s corner as torrential rain fell down. Matt Blake’s terrific strike from 25 yards was turned away by brilliantly by James Martin in the Bedworth goal and in the 66th minute, Blake rounded Martin but his shot was cleared off the line by Jake Whitmore. Christy Finch and Will Davies were introduced for Leiston and the substitutions paid dividends when Finch got in behind the home defence to fire low into the bottom corner in the 81st minute to level. The draw leaves Leiston 12th in the table as they visit Alvechurch next on Tuesday night.

Line-ups: -

Bedworth United: - Martin, Whitmore, Rowe, Parrott, Maslen-Jones (Albrighton 68 mins), Sharpe, Story (Tonge 75 mins), Fitzharris, Gibson (Christie 84 mins), Hancocks, Summerfield. Subs not used: - Blackmore, Abraham.

Leiston: - Beckwith, Keys, Dunbar, Aitkens, Knights, Lawrence (Finch 62 mins), Hammond, Reed, Blake (Davies 77 mins), Brothers. Subs not used: - Canham, Moore, Garnham.

Man of the match: - Harry Knights.

Attendance: - 116.