Haverhill Borough 0 Leiston 2

The Blues progressed to the Second Qualifying Round of this seasons FA Cup after overcoming a Haverhill Borough side playing three Leagues below the Blues. Manager Steve Ball was boosted by the return of Patrick Brothers and Tom Bullard to the squad with Scott Mitchell starting his first game for six games. The Blues needed a good start and they achieved this by quickly getting onto the front foot. Craig Parker seeing a header skim the home bar and then a timely tackle denied Tom Winter racing clear onto goal with the game only ten minutes old. Half an hour into the game and the visitors were getting closer as Craig Parker burst clear but his lob landed on the roof of the home net. Home keeper Charlie Turner then did well to deny Joe Francis as the home side battled to contain the Blues. It seemed Borough were going to get to half time unscathed as they continued to work hard but with three minutes remaining the deadlock was broken. Michael Brothers galloped down the right flank and his low cross was turned home at the near post by Tom Winter for his second goal in as many games.

Despite the single goal advantage for the Blues the game was still evenly poised and the home side started the second half in a positive mood. After Luke Latham’s shot inside the box was blocked the home side’s best chance came just before the hour. Ryan Geoghegan released Ryan Weaver but with just Danny Gay to beat the Leiston stopper made a fine block at the expense of a corner. The home side were now having their best spell of the match and Blake Saker almost deflected a cross goalwards but was thankful to see the ball clear his own goal. Having weathered the home pressure the visitors doubled their lead with twenty four minutes remaining as Scott Mitchell broke the home side’s hearts with a perfectly executed 25 yard free kick. The visitors dominated the closing stages with skipper Joe Jefford seeing a header strike the bar while home keeper Charlie Turner denied Craig Parker and Tom Winter as Leiston navigated their passage into the next round.

FT – Haverhill Borough 0 Leiston 2

Blues line up: Gay, Saker, Boardley, M Brothers (P Brothers 84 mins), Jefford, Tann, Mitchell (Bullard 86 mins), Heath, Winter, Parker, Francis (Simmons 54 mins). Subs not used: Ottley-Gooch and Rossis.

Goals: Winter 42 mins and Mitchell 66 mins (Leiston)

Man of the Match: Adam Tann

Attendance: 158