Blues 1 Gloucester City 3

Leiston exited this season’s FA Cup after going down 3-1 at home to Gloucester City in front of their biggest crowd of the season writes Mark Barber. The main talking point was the controversial 26th minute sending off of home goalkeeper Ashlee Jones which left the Blues a mountain to climb in a match sponsored by F & H Scaffolding Ltd. The Tigers, from the National League North, will be relieved to get through a tricky tie following a 420 mile round journey. They started the game well and dominated possession as the Blues sat off challenges and allowed them too much space. Tigers number 9 Joshua Cooke, on loan from Swindon Town, looked especially lively and a series of early corners kept the pressure on the home side. The break through looked inevitable and on 26 minutes Joe Hanks found himself through one on one with Ashlee Jones who came rushing out of his goal to meet him. Hanks lobbed the ball goalwards and it bounced just wide of the left hand upright. Whilst most fans were watching agonisingly to see where the ball would land Ashlee Jones had caught Hanks and the Referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and showing the Leiston ‘keeper a red card much to the derision of the home supporters. Joe Francis was sacrificed for replacement goalkeeper Ben Vincent who could do nothing to stop George Miller giving the visitors the lead from the spot. Leiston appeared to settle from this point on and even with their man disadvantage forged a good opportunity to equalise. The ball was worked wide to Patrick Brothers who whipped in a great cross from the left hand side but John Sands, free at back post, couldn’t direct his header towards goal. Gloucester continued to enjoy most of the possession and territory but a shot high and wide from Hanks was the best they could manage before the break. The second goal did come five minutes after the restart, Bermudian international Jonte Smith danced round a couple of tackles before firing low and hard past Vincent. Leiston looked like their best way back into the game would come from a set piece with John Sands winning a couple of free kicks in dangerous advanced positions. A Stuart Boardley free kick caused some confusion but the ball wouldn’t fall favourably for the home side in the ensuing scramble. On 71 minutes Lewis Hall skilfully skipped through three challenges but Ben Vincent smothered his tame shot well. This was the pre-cursor to the Tigers’ third goal, Cooke broke the offside trap following a through ball from Smith and he calmly rounded Ben Vincent and slotted home to all but secure the win for the away team. On 78 minutes Leon Ottley-Gooch has the Blues best chance of the game, a Tom Bullard knockdown fell kindly but he could only fire the ball wide of the near post. Leiston did pull a goal back a minute later, Tom Bullard was pulled back in the area and the Referee evened up the penalty count. Stuart Boardley stepped up to take it but his effort was saved by Jaspir Singh. The ball rebounded kindly to Stuart Boardley who smashed it home. This was a mere consolation for the Blues who now turn their attention to two important home fixtures this week starting with East Thurrock’s visit on Wednesday evening. Kick off at Victory Road is 7:45pm.

FT - Blues 1 Gloucester City 3

Leiston: Jones, Saker (Cunningham 70 mins), Dunbar, Boardley, Jefford, Bullard, Francis (Vincent (GK) 27 mins), Heath, Ottley-Gooch, Sands (Winter 64 mins), Brothers. Subs not used: Baker, Taylor and Finch.

Gloucester City: Singh, Green, Bowen, Williams, Avery, Miller, Hanks (Orenuga 70 mins), Webb (Knowles 61 mins), Cooke (Symons 90 mins), Smith, Hall. Subs not used: Liddiard, Hamilton, Richards and Hannah (GK).

Match sponsors F & H Scaffolding Man of the Match - Stuart Boardley

Attendance: 329