Blues 3 Tonbridge Angels 1

Leiston remain Suffolk’s Non League flag bearers in this seasons FA Cup after reaching the Third Qualifying Round for the first time in five years in a match sponsored by Victory Car Sales. Richard Wilkins’ side are now just two rounds away from potentially rubbing shoulders with the likes of Colchester United, Portsmouth and Sheffield United after a solid showing against fellow Ryman Premier Division Tonbridge Angels. But they had to do it the hard way, recovering from conceding after just 58 seconds before bouncing back with a brace from John Sands and one from in-form Joe Jefford. On a beautiful September afternoon Leiston got off to the worse possible start when Tom Phipp leapt high above the Blues defence to plant a powerful header into the left hand corner from an exquisite cross from Lee Carey after just 58 seconds. Unfortunately the ex Maidstone United midfielder landed badly from his header and after a lengthy delay left the field on a stretcher with a nasty leg injury. Leiston gradually responded and after Leon Ottley-Gooch missed a decent half chance from a Gareth Heath cross they got themselves level on 18 minutes through inform centre half Joe Jefford. Stuart Boardley sent in a sweet free kick and Jefford planted his header beyond Antonio Di Bernado for his second goal this week. Despite the sides being level it was the visitors who continued to pose the greater threat with Nick Wheeler seeing an effort tipped over by Ashlee Jones and then both Sonny Miles and Nathan Elder should have done better with efforts rather than direct them straight into the grateful arms of Ashlee Jones. The hosts almost took an unlikely interval lead in first half stoppage time but in acres of space, a somewhat surprised Joe Jefford saw his effort thwarted by Antonio Di Bernado. If the first half belonged territorially to Tonbridge the second half was Leiston’s and once they got themselves in front just three minutes after the restart there was only going to be one winner. The goal was finished with a simple tap in from John Sands after Leon Ottley-Gooch had done all the hard work, bursting through a flat footed Tonbridge defence before drawing Antonio Di Bernado and squaring to Sands for his tap in. After Gareth Heath flashed an effort across the face of goal the home side grabbed the decisive third goal with just over fifteen minutes remaining. Seb Dunbar’s mazy run took him into midfield where John Sands released Billy Clark on the right. The ex Bury Town mans measured cross picked out the run of John Sands who gleefully slid home his second and his sides third much to the delight of his team mates. A late flying save from Ashlee Jones denied Tonbridge a late finale in the hope of a replay but in truth, Leiston were too strong, certainly in the second period and they go into Monday's draw carrying Suffolk’s Non League hopes with them.

Blues – Jones, Saker, Dunbar, Boardley, Jefford, Bullard, Clark, Heath, Ottley-Gooch, Sands (Francis 89 mins), Brothers. Subs not used – Baker, Kerslake, Finch, Winter and Vincent.

Tonbridge Angels – Di Bernado, Folkes, Parter, Carey, Ball, Miles, Webster (Brown 80 mins), Phipp (Whitnell 8 mins, Hippolyte-Patrick 42 mins), Elder, Blewden, Wheeler. Subs not used – Sobers and Slocombe.

Match sponsors Victory Car Sales Man of the Match - Ashlee Jones

Attendance – 212