Blues 1 Folkestone Invicta 1

Leiston once again welcomed Folkestone Invicta to Victory Road for the second week on the trot this time in the FA Trophy in a MATCH SPONSORED BY ALAN CRANE & TIM JACOBS. The home side were missing key players in the form of Chris Henderson, Kyle Hammond and Christy Finch while club captain Tom Bullard was suspended.

Leiston got off to a bad start once again when after just five minutes, a through ball released Folkestone’s Ian Draycott who placed past the onrushing Marcus Garnham. The visitors could have doubled their lead moments later when Ade Yussuf smashed towards goal from inside the area but Marcus Garnham palmed over the crossbar. Play was held up for a couple of minutes when Seb Dunbar and Jordan Wright challenged each other with the latter coming off the worst but who would continue. Leiston were struggling to create any real chances and Ade Yussuf tried his luck with a couple of strikes but they were wide of the target. Ian Draycott got behind Leiston’s defence but Joe Jefford got back well and put him off his stride and Marcus Garnham easily collected. Joe Marsden shot wide after a Robert Eagle delivery into the box was not fully cleared before on the stroke of half time Dominic Docherty found Matt Blake with a long pass but Tim Roberts saved well from Matt Blake and the ball rolled inches past the wrong side of the post.

Ian Draycott had the first attempt once more on goal in the second period however Marcus Garnham was alert to his shot and saved with his legs. Ade Yussuf turned well on the edge of the area and his curled attempt went just wide of Marcus Garnham’s left hand upright. Leiston equalised just past the hour mark when Folkestone didn’t deal with an ariel ball into the box and Matt Blake converted on the half volley from close range. The away side forced Marcus Garnham into another save when he fisted away a Nathaniel Blanks effort and Joe Marsden cleared a header off the line from a corner. Leiston’s next chance fell to Matt Blake who strode through into the area but Tim Roberts spread himself well to save. Substitute Adam Blades was picked out by Matt Blake but inside the box and with the goal at his mercy he side footed over the bar. Minutes later Robert Eagle was denied by Roberts before Folkestone had another good attempt but the lively Draycott was foiled once again by Marcus Garnham. With time running out Matt Blake fired wide on his left foot and both teams had to settle for a replay.

FT - Blues 1 Folkestone Invicta 1

Blues - Garnham, Marsden, Dunbar, Brothers, Jefford, Ainsley, Lawrence, Docherty (Cheetham 45 mins), Blake, Pelling (Blades 83 mins), Eagle. Subs not used - Knights and Beckwith. 

Folkestone Invicta - Roberts, Cooper, Blanks, Everitt, Davies, Newman, Wright (Taylor 80 mins), Heard, Draycott, Yusuff, McCann. Subs not used - Vincent, Sahadow and Shaw.

Match Sponsors Alan Crane & Tim Jacobs Man of the Match - Robert Eagle.

Attendance - 191.