Leiston 3-4 Hastings United.

Leiston went out of the Emirates FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round for the first time since 2014 when they lost to Hendon 4-1. Jake Reed was suspended while Seb Dunbar remained sidelined with injury.

The game’s first action saw Patrick Brothers deliver a teasing cross but away keeper Charlie Horlock gathered it well. Kelvin Ogboe failed to get any power in his shot and didn’t test Marcus Garnham, but Hastings took the lead in the fifth minute. From a corner, Daniel Ajakaiye’s effort was turned into his own net by Dominic Docherty. This seemed to spring Leiston into life, and Patrick Brothers’ cross was met by Matt Blake, but Horlock saved well with his legs. Kyle Hammond’s deep corner though was met at the back post by Joe Jefford who leapt highest to level up the scores. Just five minutes later, and Leiston took the lead. Christy Finch prodded a through ball to Matt Blake and he finished confidently into Horlock’s bottom right hand corner. Marcus Garnham had to get down sharply to his left hand side a couple of times at first to deny Ajakaiye and then Sam Adams. The away side pulled level on the half hour mark. A good move enabled captain Sam Adams to turn and shoot into the goal giving Garnham no chance. Sub Cemal Ramadan had a good chance before the interval but he shot straight at Horlock, while at the other end Kelvin Ogboe’s cross from the left was met by Antonio Walker-Barth but Marcus Garnham tipped his strike over.

Hastings were awarded a free kick at the start of the second period, but Sam Crutwell’s dead ball kick was easy for Garnham. On 52 minutes, Hastings took the lead for a second time. One ball split the Leiston defence which Kelvin Ogboe latched on to to smash past Garnham. Two minutes later, and Ogboe was brought down by Patrick Brothers in the penalty area which allowed Sam Adams the opportunity to double the visitors lead from the spot, which he duly obliged. Matt Blake had the chance to pull a goal back, but Charlie Horlock was deemed to have handled outside the box and was sent off, much to his annoyance. Leiston failed to capitalise from the free kick however, with Christy Finch firing straight at stand in keeper Sam Adams. Moments later, Matt Blake held the ball up well to pass to Chris Henderson and he played in Christy Finch but he lent back to send the ball over the crossbar. A communication mix up at the back let in Matt Blake and he finished at the second attempt to get Leiston back in the tie. Sam Crutwell was giving his marching orders for a second yellow card but Leiston struggled to create chances. Kyle Hammond, Cemal Ramadan and two efforts by sub Joshua Moore (who was making his debut) all came and went, while in the third minute of added on time, Jamie Fielding was given a second yellow card for time wasting. But Hastings deservedly held on to progress.

FT:- Leiston 3-4 Hastings United.

Line-ups:-

Leiston:- Garnham, Hammond, Eagle, Docherty (Ramadan 37 mins), Jefford, Bullard, Lawrence (Aitkens 53 mins), Henderson, Blake, Finch, Brothers (Moore 88 mins). Subs not used:- Knights, Bacon, Rutterford, Beckwith.

Hastings United:- Horlock, Beal Crutwell, Howlett-Mundle, Christie, Lovatt, Ajakaiye (Climpson 88 mins), Adams, Ogboe (Ibrahim 70 mins), Walker-Barth (Dixon 59 mins), Fielding. Subs not used:- Vickers, Golding, Dullaway, Mensah.

Eels Foot Inn of Eastbridge Man of the match:- Matt Blake.

Attendance:- 263.