THE Blues made it into the Suffolk Premier Cup quarter-finals last night as they beat local rivals Lowestoft Town 2-1 at home.

Albie Armin and Harley Curtis came into the starting XI in place of Ryan Jarvis and Ismael Fatadjo from Saturday’s game at Kettering Town.

Ex-Blues player Rob Eagle, who made over 100 appearances for Leiston, captained the Lowestoft team.

George Quantrell had an early chance after four minutes but Sam Blair dealt with the Blues midfielder header easily enough. Three minutes later, and striker Ben Fowkes nearly gave the Blues the lead but he shot just wide of Blair’s right hand upright.

The Trawlerboys had their first chance in the 11th minute, with Kyle Haylock testing Johnson and forcing the Leiston keeper into a good save down to his left hand side.

On 15 minutes, Haylock was put in again but the offside flag was raised. Albie Armin was off target for the Blues a couple of minutes later before Jamar Loza and Fowkes linked up well but Ollie Saunders blazed over Blair’s crossbar.

Fowkes had another chance but saw his attempt block while at the other end, Kyran Clements did well to clear away Owen Murphy’s cross from the byline.

On the half hour, Loza’s delivery evaded everyone across the goal and Lowestoft quickly broke up field with Johnson making a good save with his legs and the Blues keeper got up to claim the loose ball.

Blair made a great save from Fowkes on 34 minutes, brilliantly palming away a volley from six yards.

Harvey Sayer tested Johnson just after the interval while Johnson made a great save from a corner before the Blues took the lead nine minutes into the half.

Good play by Loza and George Quantrell on the Blues right-hand side allowed for a ball to be played to Fowkes who struck a shot into Blair’s bottom right hand corner.

The lead though didn’t last long. Just moments after the restart, Lowestoft levelled when Harry Barbrook was sent through on goal and shot into Johnson’s bottom left hand corner.

This seemed to help Leiston and fire them up and just three minutes after Lowestoft had equalised, Rossi Jarvis headed a ball against Blair’s left-hand post from a corner but Quantrell was on hand to beat Rob Eagle to the ball and put the Blues back in front.

Loza cut inside from the left and tested Blair before Armin was denied by a good block in the area as the halfway point of the second half was reached.

Loza’s cross on 77 minutes was met by Fowkes and Curtis nearly turned the ball home but couldn’t get their in time.

Late on, Johnson dealt with a Dylan Ruffles effort from a corner while deep into added in time, Ryan Jarvis won the ball in midfield and burst forward but his strike was well blocked as referee Oliver Morris Saunders brought the game to and end.

The win sees Leiston to a fourth win in the Suffolk Premier Cup against Lowestoft, with the Blues winning their last three games against the Trawlerboys in the competition.

FT: - Blues 2-1 Lowestoft Town

Leiston host AFC Telford United in the league on Saturday before they have a couple of weeks off.

Line-ups: -
Blues: - Johnson, Yun, Saunders, Armin (sub Fatadjo 73 mins), Clements, Alexander, Fowkes, Quantrell, Loza, Curtis (sub Ryan Jarvis 82 mins), Rossi Jarvis. Subs not used: - Rayworth, Mitchell Jackson.

Lowestoft Town: - Blair, Norman (sub Doy 67 mins), Johnson, Eagle (sub Aldous 78 mins), Ruffles, Barbrook, Murphy (sub Duffy 63 mins), Haylock, Overton, Sayer, Rangel. Subs not used: - Blogg, Haddoch.

Blues Man Of The Match:- selected by the LFC Supporters: - Fraser Alexander.

Attendance: - 119.