South Park 1 Blues 4

The Blues travelled to South Park in good mood after starting the season in great form although confidence would possibly be dented after Tuesday night’s League Cup defeat to Brightlingsea Regent writes Craig Cooper. Glenn Driver was forced into a change at left back as Seb Dunbar was only deemed fit enough to start on the bench meaning Patrick Brothers would start only his second game of the season in his place. Leiston would start against the wind and an early Gareth Heath corner was cleared to Christy Finch but he could only put his effort over the bar. South Park did cause some panic in the Leiston defence shortly after when Nick Eyre met a long ball and cleared only for the South Park player to try and lob him but Joe Jefford did well to track back and head up into the air and for Nick Eyre to gratefully receive it. Byron Lawrence then did well to find Christy Finch but he shot off target. Both keepers then claimed well from corners before Joe Francis shot over after good work from Matt Blake. Luke Elliott was forced off after twenty five minutes with an injury forcing the hosts into an early change. The wind was becoming a big factor but Leiston kept trying to play a passing game. Nick Eyre dealt with a long range effort and then a good team move between Joe Francis and Matt Blake set up Gareth Heath but his shot was well saved. Shortly before the half time interval however, Leiston made the break through. Gareth Heath got down the left hand by-line to cross for Christy Finch who shot on the half-volley into the roof of the net gave Wastell in the home goal absolutely no chance for his first goal of the season. There was still time for South Park to force some late pressure with a couple of free-kicks and a corner before the Referee blew the half time whistle.

HT - South Park 0 Blues 1

Joe Francis had a chance only ninety seconds into the second half but his effort was off target. Another chance soon followed with Joe Francis on the end of the move but Wastell dived to his right hand side to claw away. The hosts then drew level six minutes into the second half when a good move down the South left resulted in Dan Moody firing into Nick Eyre’s bottom right hand corner from 20 yards to square the game. Leiston battled back and an effort from Matt Blake could not be turned in by Christy Finch. Wastell then did well to keep out an Oliver Brown shot and also save the follow up. With 66 minutes gone the visitors regained the lead. Matt Blake being rewarded for chasing down lost causes and lobbed Wastell to put Leiston back in the lead. And a minute later they would double their lead when Joe Francis picked a ball out of the air to glide past Warren and send in a great ball for Christy Finch who had a simple tap in from close range. From here Leiston began to boss the game although South Park kept going and did force Nick Eyre into a couple of regulation stops. The final goal of the game would come with eight minutes of normal time to play with goalkeeper and centre-half getting in a mix up from a long Nick Eyre clearance allowing Joe Francis to finish off proceedings for the afternoon.

FT - South Park 1 Blues 4

South Park - Wastell, Warren (Lovegrove) Elliott (King) Stafford, Merchant, Ayling, McElligott, Gill, Moody, Smith (Lavery) Quatley. Subs Not Used: - Brown, Koutsavakis & Roberts.

Blues - Eyre, Brown, Brothers, Ainsley, Jefford, Bullard, Lawrence, Heath (Saker) Blake (Schaar) Finch (Winter) Francis. Subs Not Used: - Hastings, Dunbar & Potter.

Man of the Match - Ollie Brown

Attendance - 124