The Blues Under 23’s defeated Sporting 87 at the Flannery Stadium on Saturday afternoon to keep on the tails of the leading group at the top of the table.

Josh Thomas fired the visitors into an early lead after just five minutes but the Blues levelled on 11 minutes when Liam Shaw shot home from close range.

Two minutes later, Jack McLeavy scored from the penalty spot after Ollie Long had been fouled in the box.

Sporting 87 responded and Jude Keylock equalised for the away side as those that had braved the wet weather had witnessed four goals in the opening 16 minutes. After the early flurry of goals a fifth goal didn’t materialise until the first minute of additional time with Ollie Long restoring the Blues lead. There was still time before the half time whistle for Jack McLeavy to claim his second goal of the afternoon and Leiston’s fourth.

Into the second half and Long added his second of the game and his 14th of the season after 58 minutes with a great individual goal before captain Ollie Griggs added a sixth two minutes later.

Harry Bales completed the scoring with a seventh goal in the 80th minute and the victory secured a third consecutive win for Leiston.

Blues First Team Player Coach Ryan Jarvis got some match action, playing for just over 80 minutes.

Neil Smye’s side head to Sidegate Avenue next Saturday in their next league fixture against fourth placed Ransomes Sports who are unbeaten in their opening nine league games, kick off 2pm.