Cheshunt 2 Blues 2

The Blues forced a replay after fighting back from two goals down at Cheshunt to earn a replay. They will play their first FA Cup Replay for the first time in eight years as goals from Christy Finch and Dominic Docherty kept them in the competition. Glen Driver brought back Byron Lawrence, Chris Henderson, Marcus Garnham, Jake Reed, Christy Finch and Seb Dunbar back into the starting eleven while Cemal Ramadan, Patrick Brothers, Robert Eagle, Dominic Docherty, Charlie Beckwith and Harry Knights dropped out.

The Blues started well and Jake Reed saw his effort saved well by Harry Girling in the home goal, and from the resultant corner, Matt Blake fired against the outside of the post. Cheshunt, with their two tall strikers up front, started to send crosses into the box, and took the lead from the corner in the 20th minute. Captain Mark Hughes got to the near post to poke home from a corner to put the London club in front. Marcus Garnham then had to produce two excellent stops, the second was again from the impressive Hughes. Leiston had a chance from a corner and a goal mouth scramble occurred but they couldn’t net. Moments later, Jake Reed had a shot well saved by Girling, with Matt Blake putting the follow up wide.

The second period was just three minutes old when the hosts doubled their lead. A missed placed pass from Leiston let in Hafeez Sanusi who let rip from 25 yards to plant the ball into Garnham’s bottom right hand corner. This seemed to help Leiston as they came at Cheshunt and they created some good chances as Jake Reed headed over the bar and the same player had a scuffed shot saved by Girling. They pulled a goal back though when Byron Lawrence got in behind the home defence and although Girling saved with his legs Christy Finch smashed home. Nine minutes later, and substitute Dominic Docherty headed home with his first touch of the game after excellent work from Jake Reed. Marcus Garnham made an superb save from Ricky Sappleton’s free kick as both defences stayed on top to live to fight another day.

FT - Cheshunt 2 Blues 2

Cheshunt - Girling, Casey, Adamson, Hughes, McKenzie, Kendall, Koranteng (Kifwasima 68 mins), Jourdan, Sanusi (Sappleton 60 mins), Akinsanya (Roberts 75 mins), Aiken. Subs not used - Symons, Olukoga, Gregory and Re.

Blues - Garnham, Hammond, Dunbar, Aitkens, (Docherty 72 mins), Jefford, Bullard, Lawrence, Henderson, Reed, Finch, Blake (Ramadan 84 mins). Subs not used - Eagle, Brothers and Beckwith.

Man of the Match - Kyle Hammond

Attendance - 164