Leiston Reserves 2-1 Ipswich Wanderers - Match Report

The Reserves moved up a place to 12th in the league table as they beat Ipswich Wanderers 2-1 at Victory Road on Saturday afternoon.

Seb Dunbar was included in the side as was new signing Josh Hitter. New signing Mason Sinclair and Sam Allen were also making their debuts. Ex Blues midfielder Mark Goldfinch, who made over 200 club appearances for Leiston first team and now manages Wanderers, named himself on the bench for the visitors.

The Reserves started the better of the two sides. A good Seb Dunbar cross after just a couple of minutes evaded everyone, before new signing Josh Hitter fired narrowly wide of away keeper Tom Curtis’ left hand post. Wanderers captain Marcus Taylor stroked an attempt off target for his side’s first chance. Louie Bloom should have put the hosts ahead but his strike was pushed onto the post by Curtis. A Seb Dunbar free kick fell kindly to a couple of Leiston players but Wanderers blocked their efforts well and cleared the danger. A couple of more half chances went begging while Stefan Mallet was booked by referee Reg Barker for holding back Louie Bloom. Toby Groom’s cross was nearly headed into his own net by Sam Garwood as the ball hit Curtis’ left hand post and went out for a corner. Dunbar blasted over after good improvisation by Josh Cheetham from a free kick while at the other end Taylor got away from Charlie Canham but Jack Severy hit the ball into the ground that was easy for Finley Noon to deal with. In the final moments of the first half, Charlie Canham was harshly booked and Hitter shot just over the bar.

Noon dealt with an early effort in the second period as Leiston’s first chance fell to debutant Mason Sinclair but he struck straight at Curtis. Louie Bloom had two strikes blocked and then a long ball by Wanderers deceived Sam Allen however Taylor could only stroke the ball wide. Leiston though were still playing well and Curtis tipped over Cheetham’s delivery. The Reserves took the lead in the 68th minute. Toby Groom’s cross was volleyed in by Jourdan Kiwomya. Sub Nicky Shopov was tackled by keeper Curtis and the rebound found James Gaffer who’s shot was headed over his own net by Stefan Mallet. From the resultant corner, Kiwomya’s overhead kick was straight at Curtis. Gavin Flurrie headed at Noon in the home goal for Wanderers as Leiston kept up the pressure. Shopov’s ball to Owen Hammond was threaded through the away defence and Owen Hammond lobbed the ball over Curtis to double the Reserves lead. Camillo Douglas pulled a goal back for Wanderers with a neat finish to set up a tense finale as the Reserves couldn’t finish the encounter with another goal but they held out for the win in what was a good performance.

FT: - Leiston Reserves 2-1 Ipswich Wanderers.

The Reserves don’t play now for two weeks when they host Mulbarton Wanderers at Victory Road in league action.

Line-ups: -

Leiston Reserves: - Noon, Groom, Dunbar, Gaffer, Canham, Allen, Cheetham (Carrigan 78 mins), Hitter (Shopov 72 mins), Bloom, Sinclair (Hammond 63 mins), Kiwomya. Subs not used: - Coldwell, Alcock.

Ipswich Wanderers: - Curtis, Speed, Mallet, Laws (Folkes 53 mins), Garwood, Flurrie, Bobonete (Watling 69 mins), Berry, Taylor, Cheetham, Severy (Douglas 61 mins). Subs not used: - Goldfinch, Buckle.

Man Of The Match: - James Gaffer.

Attendance: - 47.