Leiston 2-2 Rushall Olympic - Match Report

Leiston gained another valuable point in their quest to retain their Step 3 status as they came back from two goals behind to snatch a late draw against play-off chasing Rushall Olympic, in a match sponsored by MALCOLM RABBETT, with PAUL ANDREWS sponsoring the Match Ball.

The Suffolk side had the first effort on goal in the match in just the third minute as Kyle Hammond fired wide of Jonathan Flatt’s left hand post before a good run and cross into the box by Josh Hitter was cleared by the away defence. A lot of play was being orchestrated in the middle of the park but the game came to life in the 29th minute when Kyran Clements was deemed to have fouled Danny Waldron in the box and SAM WHITTALL smashed home the spot kick. Just three minutes later, and a long throw in wasn’t cleared and WHITTALL again was on hand, this time to hook into Sam Donkin’s left hand corner. John Sands had a chance to level in the last minute of the first half but Flatt stood up well to save his shot.

Alex Moore fired over for Rushall early in the second period while Josh Hitter’s good turn and shot forced Flatt to back pedal and tip the ball over the crossbar. The Blues were given a lifeline as referee Ayrton Hursey gave a penalty that ROB EAGLE converted and then Eagle’s ball from the right split the away defence but Sands was denied by Flatt. As the game wore on, Donkin produce a great save to his left to deny Orrin Pendley but Leiston levelled as ZAK BROWN headed home from close range from Ryley Scott’s cross on 86 minutes after Kyle Hammond had hit the crossbar moments before. Subs Levi Rowley and Lee Smith went close at the end for Rushall but a draw was a fair result on the day.

Line-ups: -

Leiston: - Donkin, Clements (Bloom 55 mins), Saunders, Scott, Odelusi, Hutchings, Lawrence, Hitter (Henry 79 mins), Hammond, Sands, Eagle (Brown 75 mins). Subs not used: - Bak, Skubich.

Rushall Olympic: - Flatt, Clarke, Mitchell, Waldron, Whittall, Pendley, Cook (Smith 79 mins), Moore, Wreh (Leachman-Whittingham 75 mins), Letford (Rowley 66 mins), Batchelor. Subs not used: - Charlton, O’Callaghan.

Match Sponsor Malcolm Rabbett’s Man Of The Match: - Jake Hutchings.

Attendance: - 242. Is