Chris Wigger was without Seb Dunbar (unavailable) and whilst player-coach Ryan Jarvis dropped to the bench. Ben Batho came into the starting XI to start at left back while Rossi Jarvis replaced his brother and also captained the side. Wyatt Hill was fit enough to take his place on the substitutes bench after missing the FA Cup win at home to Brentwood Town on Tuesday.

Ben Batho’s early cross after just two minutes was taken well by Will Highland in the home goal but Barwell then counter-attacked as Billy Johnson claimed Koby Arthur’s cross inside the box. Barwell left back Olly Brown-Hill volleyed just over for the hosts in the fifth minute before Highland made an excellent save in the ninth minute, the Barwell keeper diving to his left to keep out George Quantrell’s strike on the edge of the area after good play by Ismael Fatadjo.

Fraser Alexander and Quantrell then linked up well in midfield to put in Ben Fowkes on goal but Highland stood up well to save. In the 26th minute, another good Blues move ended with Fowkes getting away his effort from close range but the ball strike Highland’s right hand upright. A couple of minutes later at the other end, Johnson saved well low to his right to keep out Ethan Hill’s attempt. Just after the half hour mark, Fatadjo’s free kick was well blocked by the Barwell wall. Leiston then won a couple of corners in quick succession and George Quantrell nearly got his head on the end of the second one but the home side eventually cleared. Jamar Loza tested Highland again before the break but the keeper was equal to his shot. The rain then started to come down heavily and thunder and lightning was around the ground so as both teams saw the half out, referee Luke Bowles kept the sides in for a few more minutes at the break.

The Blues defence were tested at the beginning of the second period and Eddie Jackson and Kyran Clements headed away some crosses as the Leiston back line stayed firm. Fatadjo volleyed just wide of Highland’s left hand post from a Blues corner while Johnson saved Arthur’s strike at the other end. On 65 minutes, Jamar Loza got down the Leiston left flank and crossed into the box but Highland claimed to ball. Fatadjo put Quantrell in on goal in the 67th minute but the offside flag was raised and Highland made another save. Barwell had some good play though in the last twenty minutes and Johnson saved from sub Deen Master while Scott McManus headed wide from a corner. Leiston were dealing with the pressure thrown at them well by Barwell and Johnson made another good save from Master on 77 minutes, diving low to his right this time. Loza had Leiston’s final shot on goal on 83 minutes as the Blues striker could only shoot straight at Highland. Barwell won some late corner and put some long throw ins into the Leiston penalty area but Chris Wigger’s team kept a clean sheet to record a second draw on the road in the league.

FT: - Barwell 0-0 Blues.

A creditable draw in poor conditions. Leiston now head to Bedford Town on Tuesday in their next league game (7.45pm kick off).

Line-ups: -
Barwell: - Highland, Fridye-Harper, Brown-Hill (sub Lita 60 mins), Ngoma, Osborne, McManus, Rogers (sub Master 60 mins), Arthur (sub Medrano 68 mins), Berry (sub Rower-Turner 60 mins), Hickey, Hill. Sub Not Used: - Dunkley.
Blues: - Johnson, Yun, Batho, Rossi Jarvis (sub Mitchell Jackson 73 mins), Clements (sub Hill 73 mins), Eddie Jackson, Fatadjo, Alexander, Fowkes (sub Manly 73 mins), Quantrell, Loza. Subs Not Used: - Saunders, Ryan Jarvis.

Blues Man Of The Match: - Fraser Alexander.
Attendance: - 172.

Blues U23’s: -