Blues 1 Cambridge City 0

The Blues made it through to the First Round of the EVO-STIK Southern League Challenge Cup as a Matt Blake goal condemned the visitors to defeat.

Glenn Driver rested Chris Henderson, Jake Reed, Christy Finch, Byron Lawrence and Marcus Garnham (all named as substitutes). Charlie Beckwith, Joe Jefford, Dominic Docherty, Matt Blake and Patrick Brothers all came into the starting line up.

Early exchanges in this game were good as both teams tried to take the contest to the opposition. Only four minutes were on the clock when Rob Eagle’s lofted pass was sent over the head of his own goalkeeper by Jordan Gent but away custodian Liam Gooch got back to collect the ball under his crossbar. Sam Squires then tested Charlie Beckwith in the home goal but the young keeper was down well to his left hand side. Rob Eagle brought down James Hall in the penalty box, but Charlie Beckwith, making just his third competitive appearance for Leiston, palmed his spot kick away. Leiston nearly took the lead when Kyle Hammond’s corner was flicked on by Matt Blake and Cemal Ramadan put the ball wide at the far post. Noel Aitkens and Patrick Brothers were then off target with their attempts. Robert Eagle hit a post and Cemal Ramadan had a shot well blocked by Liam Gooch after a splendid pass from Dominic Docherty as the match reached half time.

After the interval, Rob Eagle’s delivery was well claimed by Gooch while the lively Sam Squires volleyed wide from a good move. Beckwith claimed well from Ryan Towner’s set piece, and the home side took the lead in the 64th minute. Christy Finch’s strike was well clawed away by Gooch, but Matt Blake poked home to claim his second goal of the season. The game then became scrappy and both teams struggled to create clear cut chances. Leiston withstood all the attack’s that Cambridge threw at them and Matt Blake could have scored a second but hit the side netting late on. It didn’t matter though and Leiston deservedly progressed in the end.

FT - Blues 1 Cambridge City 0

Blues - Beckwith, Knights, Eagle, Hammond, Jefford, Bullard, Docherty, Aitkens (Reed 80 mins), Blake, Ramadan (Lawrence 65 mins), Brothers (Finch 61 mins). Subs not used - Henderson and Garnham.

Cambridge City - Gooch, Robinson, Wilkinson, Squires, Gent, Robinson (Maynard 45 mins), Towner, Hall (Oyinsan 45 mins), Whitehead (Relizani 75 mins), Olukumi. Subs not used:- Midgley and Theobald.

Match Ball Sponsor FGH MOTORHOMES LIMITED Man of the Match - Kyle Hammond

Attendance - 122