The Blues moved up a place to 15th in the league table as they defeated Suffolk neighbours AFC Sudbury 3-2 in an entertaining game, in a match sponsored by HOOPERS ARCHITECTS.

The Blues started with Ismael Fatadjo in midfield in place of Jack Manly who dropped to the bench in an otherwise unchanged eleven from Saturday’s game at Halesowen Town. Meanwhile, Rossi Jarvis came back into the squad.

The visitors started the game better and nearly took the lead after just a minute through Oliver Peters but the player shot wide of Billy Johnson’s right hand post. However, the opening goal did come on three minutes. Sudbury played the ball through the middle of the park well and after good movement, Joshua Allen found himself free in the Blues box to fire a strike into Johnson’s bott right hand corner. On 7 minutes, Oli Yun was shown a yellow card for a late foul while the Blues first chance came on 9 minutes as Ben Fowkes got in behind the away defence but the away defence blocked his effort well.

Parity was restored in the 13th minute though when George Quantrell went down the left flank and crossed for Fatadjo who’s header was blocked by Fowkes but the ball went to Jamar Loza who smashed the ball into James Bradbrook’s net. Just sixty seconds later and Loza this time was provider for a goal, getting down the left wing and crossing for Fowkes who tucked home past Bradbrook.

The away keeper claimed Yun’s cross and Sudbury broke quickly upfield by Johnson saved Liam Pearce’s shot easily. Halfway through the first half, Ollie Saunders’ cross was put out for a corner and Quantrell nearly made it three with a header but the ball went the wrong side of Bradbrook’s left hand post. Quantrell had a good chance on 27 minutes again but he shot straight at Bradbrook after Fowkes had delivered the ball from the left. Johnson was out to the feet of Callum Page on the half hour mark to claim the ball before Fowkes’ deft chip landed on the roof of Bradbrook’s net. Five minutes from time in the first period, Ryan Jarvis released Fatadjo but the player was off target with his strike. On 44 minutes, Fatadjo and Quantrell set up Fowkes to score past Bradbrook but the offside flag was raised.

But the Blues made it three in the second minute of stoppage time when Loza’s left wing cross slipped through the finger tips of Bradbrook and Quantrell was on hand to bundle home the loose ball to give Leiston a two goal cushion.

Johnson beat away a close range drive at an angle early in the second period before Eddie Jackson made a good tackle down the Blues right. Fraser Alexander thread a ball over the Sudbury defence for Quantrell to get on to but the player’s shot was saved by Bradbrook. Moments later, Loza’s shot was blocked in the area before on 63 minutes, Ryan Jarvis saw two shots in succession blocked again!

After Leiston won a corner on 66 minutes, Sudbury headed the ball clear and broke up field to play in Liam Pearce but the players shot was well wide of Johnson’s right hand upright. Pearce got forward on the left on 69 minutes but his cross was well taken by Johnson. The Blues keeper was back in action sold after, saving another shot before Ryan Jarvis blocked a shot. Sudbury, after having a good bit of play and pressure, pulled a goal back on 76 minutes when Thomas Dickens bundled the ball over the line.

Leiston made a few subs, with Kyran Clements once again going up front and Eddie Jackson did well to block a strike on 89 minutes as Sudbury three men forward. In the 94th minute, Johnson saved well to his right from Pearce and as Leiston dealt with the corner, Quantrell went forward with the ball but was tackled before the referee blew his whistle on a damp night, but supporters were warmed up by the football on show! Thanks Blues fans for your support on a bad night weather wise.

FT: Blues 3 AFC Sudbury 2

The Blues now turn their attentions to the Emirates FA Cup this weekend when they head to Brentwood Town (3pm kick off).

Line-ups:
Blues: Johnson, Yun (sub Batho 81 mins), Saunders, Alexander, Ryan Jarvis (sub Dunbar 74 mins), Eddie Jackson, Fatadjo (sub Manly 78 mins), Fowkes (sub Clements 85 mins), Quantrell, Hill, Loza. Sub not used: Rossi Jarvis.
AFC Sudbury: Bradbrook, Miles, Henshaw, Dickens, Cowling, Turner, Allen, Peters, Page (sub Cox 71 mins), Neal, Pearce. Subs not used: Lewis, Terminello and Munson (GK).

Match Sponsors, Hoopers Architects Man Of The Match: Jamar Loza.
Attendance: 170