LEISTON moved into the third round qualifying of the FA Cup after victory over Hackney Wick at the Watson & Hillhouse Stadium on Saturday, writes Craig Cooper.

The Blues were 4-0 up by the break with the tie virtually over. Seb Dunbar (two penalties), Adam Mills and Willie Clemons were all on the mark in a game that saw the visitors, who play two Steps below the Blues, put up stout residence throughout.

Indeed, Hackney started well and hitting the post in the first quarter but after Dunbar's first penalty opened the scoring on 22 minutes, their task got difficult and by the break it was almost impossible at 4-0 down.

The Blues were clinical in front of goal while, in monsoon conditions in the second half, Hackney pulled a deserved goal back through Issa Sidibe, with six minutes left.

Eddie Jackson was out of the starting line-up after picking up an injury against Bishop’s Stortford on Tuesday night, so Clemons came back into the starting XI after being away with Bermuda over the international break. Wyatt Hill and Marcus Mehew came into the 18-man squad, but Ronnie Blois was still out with injury.

The Blues won an early corner but Hackney cleared the ball into the area before Mills’ cross was taken by Mohammed Nasim. However while taking the cross Blues centre-back Kyle Callan-McFadden accidentally collided with Nasim and came off the worst off. After a delay of four minutes, the Irishman had to come off injured, with Hill being brought on.

Hackney Wick came forward straight away after play restarted and hit Johnson’s post while a header went just wide from a corner. Leonardo Pola Lopete then curled an effort just wide for the visitors who started brightly.

But Leiston hit back and Clemons hit the woodwork twice before Ben Fowkes was fouled in the area and Dunbar stepped up to stroke home the penalty into Nasim’s bottom right-hand corner on 22 minutes. It was a goal set to open the floodgates.

Mills doubled the Blues advantage on 31 minutes after linking up with Fowkes, the Blues player brilliantly shooting home.

Leiston won another penalty late in the half and captain Dunbar duly obliged again before in the first minute of added-on time, Clemons turned home Jack Manly’s cross in to make it four and kill the game off.

In terrible weather conditions in the second period, Hackney Wick continued to battle and did well to contain the home side.

Rangel had a good run into the area but Nasim made a good save on 51 minutes, while later in the half, Fowkes and Mills were off target with strikes for the Blues. Hackney Wick gained a consolation goal on 84 minutes, with Issa Sidibe netting from close range.

Fowkes was foiled by a good Nasim save as the away side finished strong. Dunbar made a great last ditch challenge on 94 minutes while Johnson saved a shot from close range right on the goal line. Lopete tried his luck from long range in the seventh and final minute of stoppage time but Johnson saved as referee Alexander Shipp blew for full time.

FT: Leiston 4 Hackney Wick 1

The Blues will go into the draw on Monday for the Emirates FA Cup Third Round Qualifying. The are in home action next Saturday when they host Harborough Town (3pm kick off).

How the sides lined up;

Blues: Johnson, Rayworth, Dunbar, McFadden (Hill 7 mins, Batho 84 mins), Rangel (McNeil 73 mins), Alexander, Clemons (Keller 64 mins), Manly, Mills, Frostick (Walsh 69 mins), Fowkes. Subs not used: Ryan Jarvis and Mehew.

Hackney Wick: Nasim, Lewis-Gold, Maslowski, Thompson-Shaw, Silva, Aker, Anderson, Brown, Cheniti, Pola, Sidibe. Substitutes: Gevaux-Baena, Ferrari, Olorunishola, Loufi, Woods, Parnum and Mohammed.

Blues Man Of The Match: Adam Mills

Attendance: 175