Leiston reached the Second Round Proper of the Buildbase FA Trophy for the first time in their history yesterday afternoon after a 3-0 win against Harrow Borough.

In a match sponsored by Beach View Holiday Park, with The Kesgrave & Leiston Football Project sponsoring the Match Ball, Leiston brought back Joe Marsden, Jake Hutchings and Brendan Ocran into the starting line-up, while Rob Eagle, Ben Hunter and George Quantrell all dropped to the bench.

There was a minutes silence before the match, which was impeccably observed for Rememberance Sunday.

The hosts began well and took the lead after just three minutes. Finlay Barnes’ ball released Brendan Ocran to run into space and fire excellently into the roof of the net of away keeper Joshua Strizovic’s goal. Leiston went close moments later. Blues captain Seb Dunbar’s cross field ball found Finlay Barnes on the right, who cut inside to force Strizovic into a good save to his left.
The remainder of the half saw Harrow have a lot of the ball, but the home side dealt well with free kicks and corners. Frank Keita had the ball in the net for the London side but it was disallowed due to a handball and the striker was rightly shown a yellow card for a deliberate intent of touching the ball. George Moore shot wide while Brendan Ocran shot straight at Strizovic in the away goal just before the break but there were not many clear cut chances in the half.

Lewis Cole forced Sam Donkin into a great save to his left just after half time while the keeper was again called into action saving two good efforts with Siju Odelusi clearing off the line in between.
The Blues though made it two thanks to Will Davies on 61 minutes after a good Joe Marsden ball and it could have been three shortly after but Adam Mills was flagged offside. Finlay Barnes showed good individual play just after and curled just wide of Strizovic’s right hand post. The game was made safe on 83 minutes as Will Davies slotted home after a great ball from the right by Marsden once more but it was a very good team move also, starting in midfield. By this time, Harrow had lost all their punch and Leiston started to fizz the ball around extremely well. Seb Dunbar, Brendan Ocran and Ollie Saunders all went close late on but Leiston had done enough at this point and deservedly progressed on the day to the next round. The Blues went off to another tremendous cheer from the home crowd at the end of another exciting ninety minutes in Suffolk!

FT: - Blues 3-0 Harrow Borough.

Leiston host AFC Rushden & Diamonds in league action on Tuesday night as the matches start to come thick and fast.

Line-ups: -

Blues: - Donkin, Marsden, Dunbar, Saunders, Odelusi, Hutchings, Barnes, Ocran, Davies (Quantrell 85 mins), Switters (Hunter 78 mins), Mills (Eagle 74 mins). Sub not used: - Bailey-Dennis.

Harrow Borough: - Strizovic, Adenola, Taylor, Mansfield, Tricker, Donnellan (Wynter 67 mins), Moore (Otudeko 67 mins), Cole (Ozobia 72 mins), Ewington, Keita, Bryan. Subs not used: - Preddie, Biler.

Match Sponsors Beach View Holiday Park Man Of The Match: - Sam Donkin.

Attendance: - 184.