Leiston 1-1 Coalville Town - Match Report

Leiston gained a point on the opening day of the season as windy conditions played its part in a decent game of football. Since joining the Eastern Counties League in 2001, the Blues have lost just 2 matches out of 19 on the opening day of games.

Jake Jessup and Noel Aitkens were unavailable for the first game while Ryan Sharman was injured. Spanish duo Albert Serra Parrrondo and Sebastia Pons Llado were ineligible to play.

In a match sponsored by STEVE BURCH and HAVEN LOGISTICS, the Blues defended the Fairground End in the first half against the wind, and Adam McGurk tested Charlie Beckwith in the home goal early on but he did well to push his effort away. McGurk was in the thick of the action moments later but his attempted chip went over the bar. Matt Blake’s run down the left hand side enabled him to center a cross for Will Davies who toe poked just off target in Leiston’s first real chance. Kyle Hammond got forward in a well worked moved but his shot was blocked while Matt Blake nearly capitalised on Byron Lawrence’s volley but away keeper Saul Deeney was out to smoother. Beckwith kept out Thomas McGlinchey’s forceful strike before in the 38th minute, WILL DAVIES gave Leiston the lead after he got some space just outside the box and launched a terrific shot into the roof of Deeney’s net. Just before the interval, Alexander Dean was thwarted by Beckwith at his near post.

After the break the game became a little scrappy for the first ten minutes of the half, although Josh Hitter went extremely close with the ball going agonisingly wide of Deeney’s right hand post. Coalville were being restricted to attempts from outside the area, with Leiston defending well. Both teams had half chances, but in the 77th minute Jerry Kamanzi had a chance to double the lead with a great shot, but Deeney clawed the ball behind for a corner. Will Davies netted a header from the resultant corner but referee Matthew Morrison blew up for a foul. Coalville levelled the game just a couple of minutes later as Davies fouled an away player in the box, and ex professional ADAM MCGURK scored from the spot. Chances were hard to come by after this though and both teams, although trying their upmost to win the match, had to settle for a point.

Leiston now travel to AFC Rushden & Diamonds on Tuesday for their next league match.

FT: - Blues 1-1 Coalville Town.

Line-ups: -

Leiston: - Beckwith, Hammond, Woerndl, Kamanzi, Knights, Keys, Lawrence, Hitter, Blake, Henry, Davies. Subs not used: - Gaffer, Eagle, Sinclair, Clements.

Coalville Town: - Deeney, Pierpoint, Storey, Towers, Duggan, Dean, Thomas, Berridge, Mitchell, McGurk, McGlinchey. Subs not used: - Freeman, Jemson, Browne, Sjoberg, Bowles.

Attendance: - 218.

Match Sponsors Steve Burch and Haven Logistics Man Of The Match: - George Keys.