Leiston U18’s v Needham Market U18’s

The U18’s defeated Needham Market in the FA Youth Cup to progress to the 2nd Qualifying Round for the third successive season.

The match was played in a strong wind all evening, with both teams struggling to adapt at times but also playing well some nice football.

It was Leiston who had the advantage of the wind first, and Harrison Bacon had a free kick blocked while away keeper Bradley Cook punched clear another good delivery. Hayden Ling had a long range strike but Cook easily gathered. Leiston took a 17th minute lead when Toby Chenery headed in at the back post from Owen Pierce’s free kick. Witness Mhango fired over but the Blues doubled their lead just before the half hour mark. Harrison Bacon’s lobbed ball sent Owen Pierce away and he rifled a shot past the dispairing dive of Cook. Witness Mhango then proceeded to put the ball over from close range from Pierce’s corner. Isaac Page’s diagonal ball saw Aaron McGuckin get away down the left flank but his centre was too hard and it flashed past everyone. Joe Murphy and Harrison Bacon were just off target late on as Brandon Ling was a spectator for most of the half in the home goal.

Needham started the second half with much more purpose and pulled a goal back just three minutes into the half. Daniel Hayes pot shot from distance found Brandon Ling’s bottom right hand corner. Leiston worked a good chance from nowhere as Witness Mhango and Harrison Bacon linked up well to tee up Aaron McGuckin but his effort was wide of Cook’s left hand post. The impressive Hayes struck over Ling’s crossbar, while at the other end Cook punched away Mhango’s cross with Bacon putting him under pressure. A good piece of play by sub Josh Leggett enabled him to run at the Needham defence and pass back to Owen Pierce but his fierce drive was tipped over by Cook. Needham could have levelled as Noah Collard crossed but sub Bowen McCrory was denied by an outstanding Brandon Ling save. Both teams had other chances but were wasteful with their shooting, with Leiston seeing out the match well to go into Monday’s hat for the next round.

FT: - Blues 2-1 Needham Market.

Line-ups:-

Leiston:- Brandon Ling, Hayden Ling, McGuckin, Roberts, Chenery, Eyre (Garrard 70 mins), Bacon, Murphy, Pierce, Mhango (Barrack 87 mins), Page (Leggett 45 mins). Subs not used:- Smith, Garnham.

Needham Market:- Cook, Bourne, Cobbold, Evan Collard, Rushton, Fuller, Smith (Wasswa 70 mins), Noah Collard, Hayes, Miles (McCrory 66 mins), Clayton-Leek. Subs not used:- Santa De Lapaz, Boyle, Elsdon.

Man of the match:- Harrison Bacon.