Blues 1 Bedworth United 1

A point at Victory Road was a fair result as both teams had to settle for a point in windy conditions. The point lifts the Blues up to 10th, above Suffolk rivals Needham Market on goal difference.

In a match sponsored by Boardley & Roberts Ltd and with Alasdair Douglas sponsoring the match ball, Leiston had to make do without Joe Jefford for the game after he had to serve a one game suspension having picked up two yellow cards last Saturday at Stourbridge. Matt Blake could only make due with a place on the bench after missing Tuesday night’s game at Biggleswade Town through illness but Patrick Brothers was for enough to be a sub having been out injured for the last three weeks.

Reece Blackmore tested Marcus Garnham early on from outside the box while Kyle Hammond had the home side’s first chance but it was off target. Will Davies, who netted the winner at Biggleswade Town on Tuesday night, had a good run into the box and Harrison Bacon tried to convert but away custodian Adam Harrison was out to smoother. Some pressure from the Blues shortly later led to three corners in succession but Bedworth defended these well and cleared their lines. Good play by Seb Dunbar allowed Bacon to get his shot away on the edge of the box but Harrison saved. Richard Platt struck over the crossbar for the Warwickshire club while Rob Eagle forced keeper Harrison to punch away a free kick.

After half time, Leiston were slow out of the blocks and were punished in the 53rd minute as a good move down the left saw Iyseden Christie net from close range. James Hancocks was booked for back chat as Leiston boss Stuart Boardley brought his three subs on with still a lot of time remaining. With the game starting to ebb away from Leiston, Noel Aitkens and Dunbar combined well down the left, with the latter excellently crossing for sub Matt Blake who poked home to level with seven minutes of normal time to go. A free kick ended with Hammond shooting wide and Hancocks headed in on Garnham’s goal but the keeper was easily down to his right. Brothers got in on goal as the game moved into stoppage time but his shot was blocked.

Leiston now turn their attention to Wednesday night when they play Ipswich Town in the semi-finals of the Suffolk Premier Cup at Felixstowe & Walton United FC.

FT - Blues 1 Bedworth United 1

Leiston: - Garnham, Hammond, Dunbar, Aitkens, Knights, Bullard, Eagle, Bacon (Blake 63 mins), Docherty (Rutterford 56 mins), Davies, Finch (Brothers 56 mins). Subs not used: Canham, Cheetham.

Bedworth United: - Harrison, Platt, Rowe, Parrott, Dudley, Sharpe, Steele, Blackmore, Christie, Troke, Hancocks. Subs not used: - Moore, Fogg, Baldwin, Noon, Lenton.

Match Sponsors Boardley & Roberts Man Of The Match: - Kyle Hammond.

Attendance: - 223.