Leiston 1-1 Barwell - Match Report

Leiston gained another valuable point in their battle to keep their Step 3 status as they drew 1-1 with Barwell on Saturday. It was a hard fought match and a point was most probably the fairest outcome, in a match sponsored by the LEISTON FC SUPPORTERS with BRIAN SHORT donating towards the Match Ball. Glen Driver brought Noel Aitkens back into the starting eleven while new signings Rob Harvey and Tyler Christian-Law also started. Siju Odelusi started up front while George Keys came into the side to pair up with Jake Hutchings at centre half. Isaac Skubich dropped out to be replaced by Rob Eagle.

Kai Williams good run early on saw him tackled well on the edge of the box by George Keys before Brady Hickey shot straight at Sam Donkin in the home goal for the first effort of the match. The hosts first chance though came just a minute later as Rob Eagle out muscled his marker and Byron Lawrence volleyed just over the crossbar. The visitors should have taken the lead but Omotolani Omotola couldn’t get a touch on the ball from three yards. Samuel Hollis shot over as Barwell pressed to take the lead but they did go in front on 34 minutes as good build up play allowed Kai Williams to poke home from close range. Rob Eagle was unlucky to side foot wide from six yards after the restart but Leiston levelled when Eagle set up Siju Odelusi to cross from the right and Rob Harvey slotted home. Odelusi’s strike on the edge of the area went just wide on before the interval after another good move.

The second half was a scrappy affair with Donkin making routine stops from Williams and Hollis while Byron Lawrence’s cross was deflected into the alert hands of Max Bramley. The match became very open in the midfield as the game wore on but neither side could capitalise on the gaps at the back. Both defences remained on top with Ross Oulton smashing the crossbar in the second minute of added on time for Barwell as the points were shared.

FT: - Leiston 1-1 Barwell.

Line-ups: -

Leiston: - Donkin, Hammond, Saunders, Aitkens (Skubich 74 mins), Keys, Hutchings, Lawrence, Christian-Law (Hitter 78 mins), Harvey, Odelusi, Eagle (Henry 81 mins). Subs not used: - Scott, Brown.

Barwell: - Bramley, Edwards, Putman, Coterill, Mcateer, Oulton, Towers, Hollis (Dunkley 55 mins), Omotola, Hickey, Williams (Redhead 66 mins). Subs not used: - Ford, O’Neil, Percival.

MATCH SPONSORS THE LEISTON FC SUPPORTERS MAN OF THE MATCH: - Jake Hutchings.

Attendance: - 217.