U18's 1 Mildenhall Town 0

Leiston were looking to progress to the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Youth Cup for a second consecutive year. Mildenhall had won all their previous matches this season like Leiston, so the Blues knew they were in for a big test.

An early ball into the box in the first minute from Toby Groom was nearly headed into his own net by Jono Burton while Jac Garrard's resultant corner went into the side netting. Both sides were keeping it tight at the back early on and Charlie Beckwith came to Leiston's rescue as he palmed away a Liam Bellerby effort with Charlie Canham doing well to turn behind Kane Manels follow up. Ben Nolan's header was straight at the grateful Charle Beckwith from the resulting corner. Leiston took the lead in the 19th minute when Jac Garrard released Adam Blades who finished from an acute angle past Kieran Petty into his far right corner. A ball into the danger zone by Jac Garrard was met again by Jono Burton who put the ball across goal but no Leiston player was alert enough to direct the ball into the net. The lively Ben Nolan had a chance to level things up however, Charlie Beckwith stood up well to get a strong wrist on the ball and divert around his right hand post. Adam Chenery had a shot on the half volley that was easy for Petty in the away goal. Charlie Beckwith then saved well from a free kick from Aaron Smith, with Charlie Canham unlucky to give away a set piece prior to that. The final chance of the half fell to Mildenhall. Alfie Norman had originally fouled Ben Nolan on the edge of the box but Liam Bellerby smashed his free kick over.

Leiston took Adam Chenery off at half time to replace him with Hayden Ling. Liam Bellerby had yet another chance for the visitors after the break but his header went wide of the target. Ben Snowling had a good run but the Mildenhall defender got back in time. The visitors created another excellent chance when Max Cato's delivery found Ben Nolan but he headed over when well placed. Carl Mayhew and Jac Garrard then combined well to earn Leiston a corner with Jake Seaber failing to get a good connection on the ball from the set play. A good run by Adam Blades set up Carl Mayhew but his ball across goal was not met by anyone. Hayden Ling found Ben Snowling on the left but his effort was fired just past the post. Ben Snowling had another good chance as Adam Blades pulled back a ball but he could only sky over the bar from close range as the game continued at a frantic pace. Away substitute Jake Mingay cut in from the left hand side to have an attempt deflected just wide. Ben Snowling's free kick was flapped at by Kieran Petty in the away goal but the Mildenhall defence cleared the loose ball. Ben Nolan had a good run into the Leiston area and he saw his effort just clear the bar. With time running out for Mildenhall, Jono Burton's shot was well wide of Charlie Beckwith's goal. Leiston had a good move that ended with Jamie Smith getting in behind the away defence but Kieran Petty saved well. From the rebound Jamie Smith found Toby Chenery but he didn't have enough power to beat Petty. In the fifth minute of added on time, Jake Mingay tried his luck from distance but saw his effort go just wide. That was the last chance of the match as the referee blew his whistle to bring an end to proceedings.

FT - U18's 1 Mildenhall Town 0

Leiston - Beckwith, Mayhew, Snowling, Seaber (Toby Chenery 85 mins), Canham, Norman, Adam Chenery (Ling 45 mins), Garrard (Smith 75 mins), Groom. Subs not used - Pierce and Guy Blades.

Mildenhall Town - Petty, N'Dungu, Burton, Sheehan, Boyle, Odeleye, Cato, Smith, Bellerby, Manels (Mingay 62 mins), Nolan (Bishop 74 mins). Subs not used - Emms and Grinling.

Man of the match - Charlie Canham