Blues 1 Needham Market 1 (Blues win 4-2 on penalties)

Leiston progressed to the next round of the Southern League Challenge Cup as they defeated local rivals Needham Market on penalties.

The game begun with Charlie Beckwith punching away a dangerous corner by the visitors, while Leiston’s first chance came when Seb Dunbar crossed from the left hand side and Harry Knights met his delivery well but Jake Jessop got down to his right hand side. Noel Aitkens shot on the area with Jessop spilling his effort but the Blues couldn’t capitalise. Tariq Issa’s free kick was palmed away to his left by Charlie Beckwith. Sam Warde threaded a pass through to Jake Reed but his strike was off target. The Blues took the lead in the 41st minute. Tom Bullard, Jake Reed and Patrick Brothers linked up well to play in Seb Dunbar who slipped his shot under Jessop. Kyle Hammond teed up Matt Blake with the last kick of the half but he was thwarted by Jessop.

Patrick Brothers shot at Jessop early on in the second half. Adam Mills forced an opening but was denied by a super Charlie Beckwith save and Leiston cleared the danger. Sam Warde, who has signed from Colchester United on a one months loan deal, hit the crossbar with a cross from the right. Both teams made changes in personal as the game wore on. Beckwith made another decent stop from Reece Dobson, before Tariq Issa was shown two yellow cards in the space of a matter of seconds for dissent. But Needham did level matters when a ball into the box wasn’t cleared and Reece Dobson smashed home on the edge of the area.

The match went to a penalty shootout and it was Leiston the victors with a 4-2 win. Cemal Ramadan, Patrick Brothers, Kyle Hammond and Josh Moore were all succesful from the spot. Leiston now don’t play again until Saturday 13th October when Halesowen Town visit.

FT- Blues 1 Needham Market 1 (Blues win 4-2 on penalties)

Blues - Beckwith, Hammond, Dunbar, Knights, Jefford, Bullard, Aitkens (Moore 75 mins), Warde, Blake (Ramadan 81 mins), Reed, Brothers. Subs not used - Docherty, Eagle, Finch and Garnham.

Needham Market - Jessop, McLaughlin (Carragher 81 mins), Sturgess, Kamanzi, Dye, Dan Morphew, Marsden (Rose 86 mins), Issa, Dobson, Griffiths, Mills (Collard 77 mins). Sub not used - Shorten.

AJ Auto Services Man of the Match - Charlie Beckwith

Attendance - 108