Leiston Reserves 2-3 Mulbarton Wanderers - Match Report

Leiston Reserves were left disappointed on Saturday to not come away with something after they battled hard as they came up against a very good Mulbarton Wanderers side.

Tom Amis had an early chance for the visitors but put wide as Iuri Fernandes gave the ball away for the Blues. Joe Potter had to be alert moments later saving well from the same player but the Norfolk side did take the lead on 13 minutes as DANNY BEAUMONT capitalised from a corner. The visitors doubled their lead just three minutes later as TOM AMIS netted for Mulbarton to put them firmly in control. However, the Blues pulled a goal back when Jac Garrard’s shot was well saved by Tom Wright in the away goal but from the follow up, IURI FERNANDES sidefooted the ball into Wright’s bottom left hand corner. Mulbarton had the ball in the Blues net a third time though soon after, but after referee Ashley Smith consulted with his assistant, the goal was ruled out for offside. Before the half was out, Ben Thompson and Tom Amis were off target with their efforts while George Keys cleared the danger when Toby Oliver squared a ball back into the area.

Wright in the away goal punched clear when under pressure from James Gaffer early on in the second half while Danny Beaumont’s free kick went over Joe Potter’s
bar for the away side. George Keys headed off the line for the Blues and at the other end, Wright palmed away a fierce strike from Jac Garrard. Leiston were dealing well with any goal threats from Mulbarton and Will Davies headed wide as the Reserves searched for an equaliser. They went close soon after as Adam Blades flicked the ball to Jac Garrard but he pulled his strike just wide of Wright’s left hand post. However, the Blues did pull level on 76 minutes as CHARLIE CANHAM headed home from a free kick. Just three minutes later though, and George Keys was deemed to have fouled in the Blues penalty box that left TOM AMIS to step up and net his second goal of the game to put Mulbarton back in the lead. Jack Simpson should have wrapped things up late on but blazed over with a clear shot at goal. On 93 minutes, James Gaffer was sent off and although Leiston kept battling, they couldn’t find a leveller. They now head to Sheringham FC on Saturday in a long away trip for further league action.

FT: - Leiston Reserves 2-3 Mulbarton Wanderers.

Line-ups: -

Leiston Reserves: - Potter, Canham, Newson (Blades 56 mins), Gaffer, Keys, Allen, Fernandes (Sinclair 56 mins), Tuck, Davies, Garrard, Shopov. Subs not used: - Pearce, McGuckin.

Mulbarton Wanderers: - Wright, Taylor, Doggett, Page, Self, Plumstead, Beaumont (Simpson 74 mins), Jones, Thompson, Amis (Whiting 84 mins), Oliver. Sub not used: - Curtis.

Man Of The Match: - Sam Allen.

Attendance: - 52.