St Ives Town 1-0 Leiston - Match Report

Leiston went down 1-0 to St Ives Town on Tuesday night in Cambridgeshire as the hosts closed the gap to four points to the Blues at the bottom of the table.

Glen Driver brought John Sands back into the starting eleven as U18’s goalkeeper Harvey Garnham got his first taste of first team football as he was included on the bench to provide back up for Sam Donkin.

Leiston started the match well and had a chance in just the fourth minute as Rob Harvey had a shot deflected wide for a corner. Moments later and Jake Hutchings won a free kick on the edge of the St Ives penalty area and Byron Lawrence curled an effort just over Martin Conway’s crossbar. Hutchings, however, gave away a penalty in the 13th minute, which allowed the home captain ROBBIE PARKER to step up and slot home the spot kick, although Sam Donkin was close to keeping it out. Dylan Wilson and John Dean both fired wide for St Ives before Donkin had to be alert to palm over a cross from the left by Wilson. Edmund Hotter should have done better after Leiston lost possession but was wasteful in front of goal while Tyler Christian-Law shot straight at Conway in the last chance of the half.

The second period was only four minutes old when St Ives striker Ben Seymour-Shove headed against the crossbar for the hosts. Leiston’s first chance of the half came from a corner which resulted in a goal mouth scramble but the hosts eventually cleared the danger. Rob Harvey shot wide for the Blues while Byron Lawrence has a free kick blocked. A lapse in the away defence let in St Ives at the other end but midfielder Noel Aitkens sensed the danger and intercepted a cross from the right. Ollie Saunders great run on the left flank saw him deliver an inviting ball to the back post but Kyle Hammond’s shot was off target. John Sands’ header was then somehow kept out by Conway as the Blues looked for a leveller. Glen Driver made changes to try and influence and affect the match but St Ives left back Ben Toseland had other ideas as his great run saw him shoot just wide. Sub Josh Hitter turned on the edge of the box and Conway pushed the ball out to Ryley Scott but Conway stood up well to save. Rob Harvey and Rhys Henry had late chances while Edmund Hotter was sent off for St Ives after a late challenge on Ollie Saunders in the 89th minute but Leiston couldn’t find a way back into the game and it wasn’t to be on the night. The Blues now turn their attentions to the weekend as they are at home to Kings Langley.

FT: - St Ives Town 1-0 Leiston.

Line-ups: -

St Ives: - Conway, Phillips, Toseland, Hotter, Hamblin, Jackson, Wilson (Snaith 81 mins), Parker, Seymour-Shove (Patrick 66 mins), Curtis, Dean (Clifton 90+1 mins). Subs not used: - Kelly, Powell.

Leiston: - Donkin, Hammond, Saunders, Christian-Law (Scott 64 mins), Keys, Hutchings, Lawrence, Aitkens, Harvey, Sands (Hitter 75 mins), Eagle (Henry 64 mins). Subs not used: - Skubich, Garnham.

Man Of The Match: - Noel Aitkens.

Attendance: - 105.