Alvechurch 0-0 Leiston - Match Report

Leiston gained another big point as they drew 0-0 in Worcestershire at the weekend with Alvechurch in the BetVictor Southern League Central Premier to make it seven league away matches unbeaten, a run that stretches back to the middle of October. The Blues, however, went down a place to 19th in the league table as Stratford won.

Kyran Clements and Tom Bak dropped out of the squad while Will Davies and George Keys came back in. Noel Aitkens remains on the sidelines with a groin injury.

Leiston started the match well and Will Davies tried his luck after just three minutes but home keeper Matthew Sargeant got down well to his right to push the ball behind for a corner. Just a few minutes later, and Oliver Saunders and Rob Eagle linked up well on the left with the later crossing to Kyle Hammond at the back post but he headed straight at Sargeant. Alvechurch started to get a foothold in the game and Taylor Morrison tested Sam Donkin but he was equal to his effort. Mitchell Botfold striked wide and Paps Joao was denied by Donkin before, after hesitation in the Blues defence, Joao got free but Donkin stood up well to keep the scores level. Just before the break, Joseph Phillips failed to hit the target as Leiston were happy to reach the interval with the match goalless.

Blues boss Glen Driver made a double change at the break, bringing on Isaac Skubich and Zak Brown in place of Rob Eagle and John Sands. Josh Hitter fired over twice in the opening four minutes of the second half when well placed and after good work by Will Davies on the left hand side he set up Zak Brown who teed up Skubich but his effort was blocked. Up the other end, Siju Odelusi was caught in possession and Donkin made a good save from Phillips before the resultant follow up was fired over by Joao. Morrison tested Donkin once more but the keeper stood up to the task yet agai while Leiston could have taken the lead with Ryley Scott curling just over the crossbar. In the 74th minute, Scott had an even better chance but put wide when just a few yards out after Kyle Hammond’s inviting cross from the right flank. Alvechurch were restricted to shots from outside the box for the remainder of the match while sub Rhys Henry shot straight at Sargeant as timed ticked away. In the last action of the game, Sargeant looked to have kicked out at Zak Brown but no action was taken by the match official as the referee blew for full time as Brown was receiving treatment.

FT: - Alvechurch 0-0 Leiston.

Next week, the side host promotion hopefuls Stourbridge in league action.

Meanwhile back in Suffolk at Greshams, Crane Sports defeated Leiston Reserves 3-0 in the Suffolk Senior Cup Quarter-Final. Goals from Teon Leggett and James Blades put the hosts two goals up at the break while Nathan Woollard grabbed a late goal in the second half to seal Cranes passage into the semi-finals.

Line-ups: -

Alvechurch: - Sargeant, Dovey, Taylor Morrison, Birch, Kyle Morrison, Hull, Veiga Monteiro, Botfield, Zazi, Phillips (Monaghan 77 mins), Joao (Nabi 73 mins). Subs not used: - Brennan, Slinn, Wollacot.

Leiston: - Donkin, Hammond, Saunders, Scott, Odelusi, Hutchings, Lawrence, Hitter (Henry 64 mins), Davies, Sands (Brown 45 mins), Eagle (Skubich 45 mins). Subs not used: - Keys, Bloom.

Man Of The Match: - Byron Lawrence.

Attendance: - 151