Reserves 2 Needham Market Reserves 1

The Reserves moved up to sixth in the league table after this 2-1 victory against Needham Market Reserves. 

On a very mild October night, the visitors started the better side and they were unlucky not to take the lead with the first real chance of the match after just six minutes. George Exworth’s effort after a good move came back off Harry Lay-Fulcher’s post. Jac Garrard had Leiston’s first chance of note but his strike was straight at goalkeeper Brad Cook. Robert Eagle had a volley go over before Eagle gave away a penalty at the other end. Max Booth stepped up and made no mistake from the spot placing his shot low to Harry Lay-Fulcher’s right hand side. Kevin Inglis and Robert Eagle both went close for Leiston as they searched for an equaliser with the latter’s shot just going past Cook’s left hand post. Louie Bloom had a shot that was deflected into the side netting and Tom Mansfield headed over as Leiston came on strong in the latter part of the half. Ben Griggs rattled the crossbar from a Rob Eagle corner in the last chance of note in the half. 

Kevin Inglis was replaced by Ben Snowling at the start of the second period and Leiston began like the first ten minutes of the first half. Tyler Rose’s attempt was easily gathered by Harry Lay-Fulcher, before Leiston levelled. An excellent Robert Eagle delivery found Toby Groom who controlled the ball well and found James Burnett who fired into Brad Cook’s bottom right hand corner. Robert Eagle put in three good crosses on the trot but they were well defended. Louie Bloom dragged a shot wide and Toby Groom tried lobbing the keeper but his delicate piece of invention went just wide. Kieran Turner let rip with a free kick on the half way line but over hit the ball and it sailed out of play for a goal kick. Away custodian Raby had to be alert and got down well to deny Toby Groom, and he made a fine stop after good play by Louie Bloom, Toby Groom and Jac Garrard ended with Garrard hitting from outside the box and forcing Raby to push over his crossbar. With just six minutes of normal time remaining, Robert Eagle’s lobbed pass found Louie Bloom who strode into the box and chipped over Raby to give Leiston the lead. Tyler Rose tried his luck with a volley and Robert Eagle and Ben Snowling had good crosses into the penalty come to nothing before after three minutes of injury time the referee blew for full time.

FT - Reserves 2 Needham Market Reserves 1 

Reserves - Lay-Fulcher, Seaber, Norman, Garrard (Murphy 82 mins), Mansfield, Griggs, Burnett, Inglis (Snowling 45 mins), Bloom, Eagle, Groom. 

Needham Market Reserves - Cook, Raby, Cobbold, Murphy, Turner, Riley (Collard 65 mins), Rose (Smith 88 mins), Exworth, Augustine, Booth (Wharton-Richardson 78 mins), Hastings. Subs not used - Pitt and Shorten.

Man of the Match - Louie Bloom.

Attendance - 44