Leiston 2-0 St Neots Town - Match Report

Leiston manager Stuart Boardley started himself for this game, while assistant manager David Head was named on the bench. George Keys was suspended and playing for the Reserves and Matt Blake was ill. Noel Aitkens came back into the starting eleven.

The Blues were awarded a free kick in just the second minute, but Kyle Hammond put the set piece wide of away custodian Finlay Iron's right hand post. A minute later, and Gary Wharton was put through on goal for 'The Saints' but he dragged his strike wide of Marcus Garnham's goal. Leiston started to dominate and from a half cleared corner, Joe Jefford whipped a ball back into the area but Harry Knights' header was tipped onto the post by Iron. Byron Lawrence played a pass that split the away defence which enabled Christy Finch to get onto it but he shot wide. Leiston were reduced to ten men in the 21st minute, as referee Benjamin Bowles deemed Harry Knights' challenge to be too high, but this didn't affect the hosts. Tom Bullard headed onto the crossbar but it was Patrick Brothers who gave Leiston the lead on the half hour. Stuart Boardley sprayed a pass over to the left for Brothers and he dribbled down the left hand side and finished excellently into Iron's top left hand corner. Byron Lawrence had a close range effort saved by Iron before Joe Jefford headed just wide as the half finished.

Patrick Brothers had the first chance on goal in the second half, but shot straight at Iron. A free kick for St Neots from captain Luke Knight was hit well from outside the area, but it went wide of Garnham's right hand post. Tom Bullard received a high boot in the face from Devante Stanley and referee Bowles sent him off as it became ten against ten. Christy Finch smashed a shot just off target, however, Noel Aitkens doubled Leiston's lead in the 57th minute. A good move involving Kyle Hammond, Seb Dunbar and Patrick Brothers saw a shot deflected into Noel Aitkens path and he finished well past Iron. Seb Dunbar tried his luck after a good run, but stroked the ball wide. The Blues continued to create half chances, with subs Harrison Bacon and Will Davies impressing. In the final minute of stoppage time, Gary Wharton got a shot away inside the area, but Marcus Garnham was down well to his right.

Leiston travel to Rushall Olympic next Saturday in another important match.

FT: - Blues 2-0 St Neots Town.

Line-ups: -

Leiston: - Garnham, Knights, Dunbar, Boardley (Bacon 58 mins), Jefford, Bullard, Lawrence, Hammond, Aitkens, Finch (Davies 78 mins), Brothers (Cheetham 90+2 mins). Subs not used: - Head, Lay-Fulcher.

St Neots Town: - Iron, Sinclair, Herd, Knight, Short, Parr, Stanley, Miles, Wharton, Williams (Rhinley 65 mins), Norville-Williams. Subs not used: - Gomes, Shaw.

Beach View Holiday Park Man Of The Match: - Patrick Brothers.

Attendance: - 208.