Team news saw Ben Fowkes came in for the injured Albie Armin while Seb Dunbar came into the squad for the first time this season, having missed the first five games through injury.

Jamar Loza slotted home with his left foot after just four minutes to give Leiston the lead after Waltham Abbey failed to clear George Quantrell’s ball from the Blues right. Three minutes later, and a good move from the hosts saw Ollie Saunders cross from the left and Quantrell headed home from six yards to double the lead. In the 11 minute, Loza got the ball just outside the box to shoot left footed into Bradley Robinson’s bottom left hand corner to make it three.

Johnny Gil shot over for Waltham’s first chance while Jack Manly volleyed over and Quantrell had an attempt clawed away well by Robinson as Leiston kept the pressure up. On 35 minutes, Loza’s cross from the left was met by Quantrell who bundled the ball over the line to make it four to give the home side a half-time lead they were never going to relinquish.

Robinson denied Loza on 52 minutes while three minutes later, the Blues man of the match had a shot well blocked. Waltham broke quickly up field and sub Amrit Bansal-McNulty shot wide of Johnson’s post. The Blues keeper was off his line well on 58 minutes to clear a long ball over the Blues back line as both teams began to make changes. In the 70th minute, Loza shot into the side netting of Robinson’s left hand post before Ismael Fatadjo slipped a ball in again for Loza but the keeper stood up well to deny the striker his hat-trick. Sub Atkin then headed wide and had a strike on the edge of the box saved by Robinson before on 88 minutes, Waltham sub Oluwtami Ogunnowo grabbed a late consolation for the visitors from close range.

Man of the match Jamar Loza said after the match; “It was an excellent performance from the team and all in all we are just happy to progress into the next round. We haven’t been converting chances whilst we have conceded some poor goals at the other end. I’m a bit disappointed personally not to get a hat-trick as I’ve had a brace a few times for Leiston, but overall very happy with today. “

FT: - Blues 4-1 Waltham Abbey.

Leiston have no game in midweek as they are next in action next Saturday, on their travels at Halesowen Town.

Blues: - Johnson, Yun (sub Batho 63 mins), Saunders, Alexander (sub Rayworth 63 mins), Hill (sub Clements 45 mins), Eddie Jackson, Manly (sub Atkin 71 mins), Ryan Jarvis (sub Fatadjo 45 mins), Fowkes, Quantrell, Loza. Sub not used: - Dunbar.

Waltham Abbey: - Robinson, Fernandez, Koranteng (sub Mokwenye 70 mins), Robbins, Mensah, Cathline (sub Cully 70 mins), Domafriyie, Rydings, Hallett (sub Shaban 45 mins, Miles (sub Bansal-McNulty 45 mins), Gil (sub Ogunnowo 45 mins). Subs not used: - Kamara, Vernal.

Blues Man Of The Match, selected by Match Sponsors Victory Self Store: - Jamar Loza
Attendance: - 103.