U18's 2 Walsham Le Willows 1

The Under 18’s were looking to build on a decent start to their season for the visit of Walsham le Willows in the FA Youth Cup First Qualifying Round in their fifth game of the season in all competitions writes Craig Cooper. The pitch was in tip top condition and with the sprinklers on before kick off, helped for a really fast game. Beckwith made a good early save before Dan Hanson tried his luck from long range with a free-kick that flew narrowly passed Johns’ right hand upright. Beckwith had to be alert moments later to turn away a snap shot by Whitby. The Blues then had their first 'goal' of the evening chalked off, Adam Blades seeing his effort ruled out and then Jac Garrard a couple of minutes later was flagged offside. Both decisions looked marginal. Blades was then denied by a great save from the Walsham custodian before Garrard’s follow up was superbly blocked and Blades’ second attempt of the move hit the post from a header. However, Leiston would soon break the deadlock. A corner kick from Jack Gissing was whipped in and HARRY BURMAN made no mistake to smash in and give Leiston the lead. Leiston would have to make a substitution when a challenge on Alfie Norman went unpunished, and Tommy Spurling would come on in his place. Norman was stretchered off and went to hospital. Beckwith did well to palm a shot over the bar and punched clear from the resulting corner. Leiston were then pushed back in their half for the final few minutes of the half and after dealing with what Walsham threw at them, were dealt a sucker punch on the stroke of half time. The ball was played through to KEHAN WHITBY who set and gave himself time to smash past Beckwith in the third minute of stoppages at the end of the half.

HT - U18’s 1 Walsham le Willows 1

The second half was only seconds old when a penalty appeal was turned down by Referee Louis Dawson as we started the second period. Then three minutes later, after the goalkeeper was punished for picking up a back pass, Garrard’s free kick was well blocked by the wall of defenders. Charlie Beckwith palmed a Walsham free-kick round the post before the attempt from the corner was high and wide of the Leiston goal. Walsham would have the first real clear cut chance of the half but Gibbs lobbed his effort onto the roof of the net. Jack Gissing picked up a knock that saw Butler given a run out and he nearly helped Leiston retake the lead when his run and cross found Blades but his header was wide of the Walsham post. A late challenge on Butler by Palmer-Frost saw him booked and from Butler’s delivery Blades’ header Johns again stood up to his task with an excellent save. However, from the follow up Smith’s pot shot hit ADAM BLADES to give the away goalkeeper no chance. Walsham then made some late changes to try and affect the game, but it was the lively Butler who wheeled away from the Walsham centre-backs only yet again seeing Johns making himself big in a one on one situation and making the stop. The Leiston defence then did well to stifle the visiting teams attacking prowess and away team skipper Waterson saw yellow when Leiston were on the attack. Leiston saw out the four additional minutes added on at the end of the game to progress to the Second Qualifying Round for the first time in their history where they will travel to face Chelmsford City on Wednesday, October 5th. The next game for the U18’s is a visit to Walsham in the league on Thursday 29 September.

FT - U18's 2 Walsham Le Willows 1

Blues U18 - Beckwith, Gissing (Butler 60 mins), Smith, Norman (Spurling 32 mins) Mansfield, Groom, Burman, Murphy, Blades, Garrard, Hanson. Subs not used - Mills and Moore.

Walsham le Willows - Johns, Walsh, Palmer-Frost, Crowe, Waterson, Moura (Finbow 71 mins), Larter (Dixon 77 mins), Shepard Stewart-Hugs 66 mins), Whitby, Gibbs, Dongray. Sub not used - Stiff.