Leiston progressed to the quarter-finals of the Turners Hyundai Suffolk Premier Cup on Tuesday evening after defeating a resilient Brantham Athletic side of the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division, in a match sponsored by FISHERS GIN.

Seb Dunbar, Joe Marsden and Adam Bailey-Dennis all returned to the starting eleven while Rob Eagle and Baris Altintop missed out through injury. Matt Mullis, Callum Pearce and Cameron Rayworth came into the squad from the Reserves and U18’s respectively.

Brantham started extremely well and Jose De La Paz was sent through on goal after just thirty seconds and rounded Donkin but his shot hit the outside of the post and went into the side netting. The same player had an good opportunity in the 7th minute but Sam Donkin made himself big in the home goal to make a good save. Leiston then started to pass the ball around better and tried to get in behind the Brantham defence. Joe Marsden’s precision ball across the goal from the right was met by George Quantrell but he somehow hit the post at an angle. Jake Hutchings headed well wide from a corner and the Blues did have the ball in the net as Seb Dunbar’s ball was met by Finlay Barnes and Will Davies poked home but was offside. Soon after, Will Davies effort was turned into the path of Adam Mills by a Brantham defender but somehow the ball was cleared off the line. On 41 minutes, however, the deadlock was broken. A good aerial ball forward by Jake Hutchings was controlled brilliantly by Adam Mills who then hit quickly past Ryan Bedingfield before the keeper could set himself and fire the Blues in front. Just before the break, Jose Santa De La Paz was denied by the excellent Donkin.

Leiston came out the blocks well after the interval and made it two on 50 minutes. Will Davies cross from the right flank was again taken out the air by Mills who delightfully cushioned to Finlay Barnes who made no mistake to smash home past Bedingfield. Barnes was denied by the keeper five minutes later as Bedingfield made a good reaction save down low to his right before a ball back into the area was headed just wide by captain Seb Dunbar. From the goal kick, Leiston quickly won the ball back and Will Davies struck just wide of Bedingfield’s right hand post. The game was put to bed on 69 minutes. The ball was worked down the right hand side again and George Quantrell put in Jake Hutchings who stroked home in Bedingfield’s bottom right hand corner. Late on, Brantham tested Donkin but the keeper made a good double save from Santa De La Paz and Luke Mayhew, with Mayhew heading the loose ball wide. Late on, Matt Mullis was given his debut as Leiston easily saw out the game but credit to Brantham who battled admirally throughout. Leiston join Stowmarket Town, Mildenhall Town, Kirkley & Pakefield, Lakenheath and Needham Market in the Last 8.

FT: - Blues 3-0 Brantham Athletic.

Leiston are at home on Saturday afternoon when Hitchin Town visit in league action. (3pm kick off).

Line-ups: -

Blues: - Donkin, Marsden, Dunbar, Odelusi, Bailey-Dennis, Hutchings, Barnes (Keller 70 mins), Quantrell, Davies, Fernandes (Saunders 67 mins), Mills (Mullis 87 mins). Subs not used: - Pearce, Rayworth.

Brantham Athletic: - Bedingfield, Owen-Jones, Stearn (Watkins 78 mins), Sibbons, Johnson, Lawson, Northwood, De La Paz, Lee (Madley 56 mins), Rowe (Mayhew 30 mins), Coyle. Subs not used: - Druce, Lawler.

Fishers Gin Man Of The Match: - Jake Hutchings.

Attendance: - 61.