Reserves 3 Little Oakley 3

The Reserves looked set for their first victory of the new year but conceded twice in the final seven minutes to pick up just a point against Little Oakley. After an even start to the match, Little Oakley had the first shot on goal but Jordan Heath fired wide of the target. Heath had another good chance when he headed towards goal from a corner shortly after but Charlie Beckwith made the save and Jamie Beecham somehow cleared the crossbar from the rebound. Mark Palmer had a long range shot that Charlie Beckwith tipped round his post, but from the corner, Little Oakley took the lead as captain Lewis Wood jumped highest to head in. Leiston’s first chance of note came when Lewis Bell smashed wide of the target after good build up play. Leiston levelled when Matt Rutterford passed to Kyle Hammond and he side footed beyond away custodian Luke Tynan. Charlie Beckwith had to be alert just before the break when he saved from Jordan Heath before Jac Garrard striked straight at Tynan as the half came to an end.

The Blues took the lead early on in the second half when a ball into the Little Oakley penalty area was fired home by Kyle Cassell. A couple of minutes later Adam Blades had a good opportunity to find the net but he put the ball past Tynan’s right hand post. In the 56th minute two became three as Jac Garrard’s free kick was fired home by Ben Griggs despite Luke Tynan’s best efforts. Substitute Lee Barrett forced Charlie Beckwith to palm over his own crossbar while Ben Griggs let in Harry Mann however he could only find the side netting. Ryan Smart, on the pitch for just a matter of seconds, looked to have scored with his first touch as he lobbed the advancing Charlie Beckwith but Ben Griggs somehow managed to clear off the line. Kyle Hammond was harshly shown a second yellow card for going over a challenge from Tynan which gave the visitors a lifeline. Shaun Kioussis sent in a good free kick on the halfway line that Charlie Beckwith punched away and Beckwith saved well from a one on one from Jordan Heath as time was ticking down. Both teams had a couple of half chances each but it was the away side who pulled a goal back when a breakaway was finished off from Jordan Heath. Kyle Cassell had an attempt blocked and Jac Garrard’s follow up was palmed over by Tynan. With just three minutes of normal time left Little Oakley equalised after Sam Kioussis curled home a cracking free kick from 30 yards. Leiston did force a couple of more chances with Adam Blades having a shot blocked and Kelsey Trotter fired wide before Referee Nathan Oakes blew for full time. The Reserves next match is next Saturday as they head to Woodbridge Town.

FT Reserves 3 Little Oakley 3

Reserves - Beckwith, Hammond, Gaffer, Bell, Knights, Griggs, Garrard, Rutterford, Cassell, Blades, Trotter. Subs not used - Shopov, Groom, Snowling, Seaber and Norman.

Little Oakley - Tynan, Kioussis, Eagle, Redditch, Wood, Hammond, Beecham (Smart 60 mins), Palmer (Barrett 53 mins), Mann, Heath, Mayhew. Subs not used - Sullivan and Wall.

Man of the Match - Matt Rutterford

Attendance - 50