U18's 1 Dereham Town 0

The U18’s welcomed Dereham Town to Victory Road in this FA Youth Cup looking to progress to the Third Round Qualifying Round for the second year in the trot.

Dereham forced an early corner but Leiston cleared as much of the play in the opening stages was in the middle of the pitch. After Jac Garrard had won a ball on the edge of the area, he set up Adam Blades who’s shot was blocked. Carl Mayhew had a chance when the ball broke to him, but his attempt was straight at away keeper Sam Cooper. Shortly later, Adam Blades struck at an acute angle but his effort when just wide of Cooper’s left hand post. Alfie Norman went down with a head injury as play was held up briefly, but he bravely carried on. Karol Wengrzik’s free kick was held by Charlie Beckwith, before Leiston took the lead in the 32nd minute. Toby Groom surged into the area to be brought down to give the referee no choice but to point to the spot. Jac Garrard’s penalty kick was straight down the middle and Cooper got a hand to it but it went through him to give Leiston the lead. Jac Garrard was harshly booked a little later. He was involved again when his delivery teed up Adam Blades but he couldn’t convert. Lukas Darling accidentally let in Dereham striker Samuel Dodden, however Charlie Beckwith was out well to parry his shot away to safety in the last chance of note before the break.

Charlie Beckwith dealt with an early Dereham move in the first chance of the second period, while Joe Murphy’s cross was easily handled by Sam Cooper. After Lukas Darling was adjudged to have given away a free kick, Tinashe Katsande fired in but Charlie Beckwith gathered. Wengrzik had a good run into the penalty area but he ran the ball out of play. Ben Snowling’s energetic run down the left flank was crossed into Adam Blades but he glanced wide of the target. Substitute Jamie Smith volleyed over the bar from Adam Blades flick as Leiston were trying to kill the tie off with a second goal. Katsande saw his headed go wide, and Charlie Beckwith smothered his attempt just moments later. After good team play by Jamie Smith and Ben Snowling, Adam Blades looked to have finished off the move but somehow Sam Cooper brilliantly clawed his attempt away. Adam Blades had another great chance to kill the game off when Cooper’s poor pass let him in but the away custodian saved well with his legs. Leiston would come under no more serious pressure from the visitors and they saw the game out to book their place in the next round. 

FT - Leiston U18’s 1 Dereham Town U18’s 0

Leiston - Beckwith, Mayhew, Snowling, Canham, Norman, Darling, Seaber, Murphy, Adam Blades, Garrard (Smith 68 mins), Groom. Subs not used - Toby Chenery, Ling, Pierce and Spurling.

Dereham Town - Cooper, Stubbs, Kerrison, Kindred, Bibby, Gower (Lane 60 mins), Wengrzik, Davis (Exley 45 mins), Katsande, Dodden, Atkins. Subs not used - Gordon, Houghton and West. 

Man of the Match - Carl Mayhew.