Leiston U18’s 2-1 Woodbridge Town U18’s - Match Report

Leiston U18’s defeated a resolute Woodbridge U18’s as they scored a winner in the 89th minute to move back up to 5th place.

The youngsters started the game well and Joe Murphy headed over an early corner but they did take the lead in the 5th minute when good individual skill by Joe Berry allowed him to glide past a couple of Woodbridge players and shoot low into Finn Wickens bottom left corner. Woodbridge had their first chance moments later and Brandon Ling kept out an effort with the aid of his left foot. Leiston though were passing the ball around well and Owen Pierce’s corner was swung in to Dale Pearse but he headed over the crossbar. The remainder of the half saw Hayden Ling direct a header wide while Brandon Ling in the home goal spilt a Josh Leech cross but Leiston cleared the danger.

Owen Pierce got away from his market just three minutes after the break but his side footed attempt went out for a throw in. Joe Berry and Josh Smedley striked off target after two decent moves while Pierce’s curling shot hit the post and ended up in Wickens arms. Sub Konnor Fletcher crossed to Oliver Seymour and he couldn’t turn the ball home while Fletcher could only steer wide as the game started to reach it’s conclusion. Wickens saved well from Seymour but it was the ‘Woodpeckers’ who levelled when Owen Broom swept home at the front post from a corner. But Leiston kept going and after another great Wickens save from Kai Fletcher, Konnor Fletcher controlled the loose ball and dispatched brilliantly under the away keeper to give the Blues the lead again with one minute of normal time remaining. Woodbridge never really threatened an equaliser and Leiston held out seven minutes of added on time to seal the win.

They now visit Needham Market U18’s on Thursday night in their next league match.

FT: Leiston U18’s 2-1 Woodbridge Town U18’s.

Line-ups: -

Leiston U18’s: - Brandon Ling, Hayden Ling, Page, Roberts, McGuckin, Pearse, Berry, Murphy, Smedley, Pierce, Fricker. Subs (all used): - Barrack, Seymour, Kai Fletcher, Konnor Fletcher, Pearce.

Woodbridge Town U18’s: - Wickens, Leech, Knight, James, Haste, Godbold, Finch, Ferguson, Cornell, Buck, Groom. Sub (used): - Nethercott. Subs (not used): - Little, Nicholls.

Man Of The Match: - Dale Pearse.

Attendance: - 41.