Leiston went out of the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday to National League outfit Barnet, on a windy afternoon in Suffolk, in a match sponsored by the LEISTON FC VICE PRESIDENTS CLUB, with BARRY SPALL and FILING FORTRESS LTD sponsoring the Match Ball.
The Blues, making just their 5th appearance at this stage of the competition in their history, played well for the most part and were unlucky to go down to an 83rd minute scrambled winner from striker Michael Petrasso.
In front of 600 spectators, Leiston began the match with real tempo to their play. Adam Bailey-Dennis came into the defence to make his first appearance for the club, as did Kyle Hammond so Matt Weaire and Jamie Eaton-Collins dropped to the bench.
Dylan Switters free kick was met by Will Davies after just five minutes but his strike was straight at Bees keeper Aymen Azaze. JJ Hooper had the first opportunity for the away side, and after he rounded Sam Donkin he thought he had slid the ball into the net but Adam Bailey-Dennis cleared the ball off the line. Leiston took the lead however in the 9th minute. Finlay Barnes’ cross field ball to Marcus Wilkinson on the left saw the winger cut inside and centre to WILL DAVIES, who nipped in front of Azaze to put the Blues ahead. Barnet though capitalised on a ball over the Blues backline, with JJ Hooper forcing Donkin into a save but MICHAEL PETRASSO followed up to net the rebound. But once again, Leiston continued to play well and after a forcing a corner down the right, Finlay Barnes’ delivery was headed into his own net by JACK CONNORS.
The hosts looked comfortable in possession and Barnet were not really causing many problems. Will Davies tried his luck from distance but it was easy for Azaze to save. Kyle Hammond let fly also but the shot ballooned over the crossbar. With time virtually up in the first period, Barnet crossed the ball into the area with Matt Richardson alleged to handle the ball by referee Robert Whitton and JJ HENRY slotted home the spot kick.

After the break, Leiston were against the wind but started off once again well. After forcing some early pressure, Barnet’s Elliott Richards smashed an attempt from a long way out, with Donkin having to save with his feet! Donkin made another good save to his right moments later from the same player as the Bees were bringing the game to the Blues now. Xander McBurnie again stretched Donkin, but the keeper was equal to his shot. With just ten minutes to go, Will Davies was brought down by a Barnet defender in the box, but this time the referee somehow failed to give the spot kick. It proved to be a sucker punch. Barnet swung in a corner that was headed back across goal and PETRASSO was there to tap home and put Barnet in front.
Leiston didn’t stop. Rob Eagle shot at Azaze from close range, with Will Davies heading over the bar but they couldn’t find that equaliser.

FT: - Blues 2-3 Barnet

Leiston must now try and take their FA Cup form into the league, starting with a trip to St Ives Town on Tuesday night.

Line-ups: -

Leiston: - Donkin, Hammond (Hitter 85 mins), Saunders, Keys, Matt Richardson, Bailey-Dennis, Barnes, Eagle, Davies, Switters, Wilkinson (Eaton-Collins 77 mins). Subs not used: - Knights, Weaire, Kyle Richardson, Jackson, Potter.

Barnet: - Azaze, Connors, Hernandez, Richards, Pascal, Taylor, Vasiliou, McBurnie, Hooper, Walker, Petrasso. Subs not used: - Tomkins, Granville, Callan.

Blues joint boss Chris Wigger said after the match: -

‘Looking back at the game it’s difficult to find any fault or criticism of the teams performance or their application of our instructions. In fact all I can see are positives, the only negative being the result. Breaking it down. First and formost the players and squad approached the game in a professional manner, their work ethic and quality on the pitch was there for all to see and I think anyone who attended yesterday would say that we more than matched step one opposition. If we look further into it I would go as far as to say the fine lines between winning and losing were down to one individual amongst over 700 players,staff, volunteers and supporters. I’ll leave it at that! I think a point that needs recognition from yesterday is the way the whole club came together to organise and put together the cup tie this week. The organisation on match day was fantastic. The support from Leiston fans was unlike anything I’ve experienced in amateur football and for that, myself, Darren, the coaching staff and players are thankful. We will do our best to take our brilliant cup form into our upcoming league matches.‘