Kirkley & Pakefield Reserves 2 Reserves 1

A second half penalty saw hosts Kirkley & Pakefield Reserves complete a comeback and advance in the Suffolk FA Senior Cup. The Reserves had led from an early Louie Bloom goal but the hosts levelled before half time and then netted the winner from the penalty spot.

The Reserves were in buoyant mood ahead of Saturday's trip to Kirkley & Pakefield Reserves in the Suffolk Senior Cup after they beat Debenham LC 3-1 on penalties in the First Division KO Cup on Wednesday night.

The tie began very evenly but Leiston took the lead in the 21st minute. In a well worked goal, from a headed Harrison Bacon clearance which set up the attack and a lifted ball through the Kirkley defence from Will Davies which set up Louie Bloom to finish well into the bottom corner. In the 35th minute, the hosts equalised. Some sloppy play from the Leiston midfield allowed the Kirkley striker to shoot from 40 yards, with Harry Lay-Fulcher off his line. This on reflection was a fair score at half time.

Kirkley did take the lead early on in the second half. A Niki Shopov foul in the box left Kirkley to score from the penalty spot and take the lead for the first time. Leiston did have some chances to level, but never looked particularly threatening. Harry Lay-Fulcher made a good save from a free kick late on as the Reserves bowed out.
The Reserves next match is on Saturday as they look forward to a home match against Swaffham Town in league action.

FT: - Kirkley & Pakefield Reserves 2-1 Leiston Reserves.

Line-up: -

Leiston Reserves: - Lay-Fulcher, Groom, Shopov, Gaffer, Canham, Coldwell (Mower), Alcock, Bacon, Bloom, Davies, Kiwomya (Pierce). Subs not used: - Noon, Mansfield, Morling.