Cambridge City 1 Blues 0 (After extra time)

The Blues U18’s lost their first match of the season with a defeat in the FA Youth Cup to Cambridge City. Harvey Bullin’s header eleven minutes into extra time broke Leiston hearts but they can be proud once more of their run again which has seen them reach this stage for a second year on the trot.

After the team bus had broken down en route, the team finally arrived at the ground at 7 o’clock. Leiston started nervously and Cambridge City’s Adam Cross had the first effort of the match but his shot flew over Charlie Beckwith’s crossbar. Cambridge won an early corner but Leiston easily cleared. Leiston’s first attempt of note came when Carl Mayhew crossed and Jac Garrard headed over Lewis Fairley’s bar. Leiston were coming into the game more and starting to dominate and Adam Blades did well to latch on to a Jac Garrard delivery but Cambridge blocked well and diverted the danger. Charlie Beckwith cleared a ball to a Cambridge player, however Alfie Norman slid in to stop the attack. Adam Blades had a half chance but he couldn’t get a good connection on his header, while Beckwith claimed well from a Harry England flighted ball. Harry Farrow and Josh Lowe had strikes at the Leiston goal but Adam Cross had the best opportunity in the last minute of the half but Charlie Beckwith came out to save well. 

Cambridge City replaced goalkeeper Lewis Fairley with Jacob Overall at half time. Just ninety seconds into the second period, a good move by Cambridge City ended with Jude White shooting just wide of Charlie Beckwith’s right hand post when well placed. Overall dealt with a Jac Garrard volley comfortably and Josh Lowe headed at Charlie Beckwith. Sub keeper Overall did well to punch away a Leiston free kick and Jac Garrard tried an audacious shot from a long way out but it went wide of Overall’s left hand post. Cambridge dominated the final ten minutes of the match with the impressive Ben Hagger seeing nobody getting on his ball into the area. In the first minute of stoppages, Cambridge City had a goal disallowed for offside from a free kick and in the final kick of the ninety minutes a Cambridge effort went wide of Charlie Beckwith’s post. 

FT - Cambridge City 0 Blues 0

Charlie Canham headed over his own bar as Leiston were being put under pressure from Cambridge. They were passing the ball around nicely and were rewarded when a corner was met by Harvey Bullin who rose highest to head past Charlie Beckwith and give the hosts the lead in the 101st minute. The remainder of the half saw Cambridge City substitute James Tee fire over when well placed and Jacob Overall taking a long free kick from Charlie Beckwith. 

Leiston tried their very best in the second period of extra time to force the issue and they pushed men forward. Overall claimed a Jac Garrard ball and a throw in was flicked on but no one was at the back post. Alfie Norman and Charlie Canham came up from the back late on, with the former finding Overall in the home goal. Harvey Farrow had an effort as time was running out but shot wide and Leiston just could not get the ball into areas to hurt Cambridge City. The hosts celebrated wildly at the final whistle and we wish them all the best in the next round. 

FT (After extra time) - Cambridge City 1 Blues 0 

Cambridge City - Fairley (Overall 45 mins), Hagger, England, Brand (Ali 53 mins), Brown, Capel, Cross, White, Lowe (Tee 85 mins), Bullin, Farrow. Subs not used - Butler-Finbow and Edwards.

Blues - Beckwith, Mayhew, Snowling (Toby Chenery 102 mins), Norman, Canham, Darling (Adam Chenery 58 mins), Seaber (Ling 70 mins), Murphy, Blades, Garrard, Groom. Sub not used - Smith.

Man of the Match - Joe Murphy.