LEISTON made it seven games unbeaten in all competitions as Chris Wigger’s side beat Alvechurch 2-1 to climb up to 11th position in the Southern League Premier Central division table.

Goals from Fraser Alexander (his first for the club) in the seventh minute and Jamar Loza, seven minutes from time, were enough to finish off the Worcestershire-based side, who battled manfully on a cold evening in Suffolk, having made the 180-mile journey across country.

There was one change from Saturday for Leiston, as Harley Curtis replaced Kyran Clements in a tactical change that saw the Blues go with another man up front.

Alvechurch threaded an early ball through just 70 seconds into the match but Eddie Jackson did well to cut the ball out and Leiston cleared up field.

However, it was the Blues who took the lead on seven minutes. Loza’s cross from the right had looked to have been dealt with by Alvechurch, but Alexander won the ball back and curled brilliantly into Ronnie Hollingshead’s goal to score his first-ever Blues goal.

On ten minutes, Ben Fowkes cut inside from the Blues left but Alvechurch got back and they quickly turned defence into attack and Billy Johnson had to be alert to turn away a Callum Sullivan effort to his right.

In the 13th minute, Rossi Jarvis headed away a free kick into the Leiston penalty area before Johnson claimed the ball back into the box. A minute later, and Joseph Willis hit Johnson’s left-hand upright.

Loza showed good play on the edge of the box and he saw his strike blocked, before Jackson won the ball back and crossed into the area but Alvechurch headed the ball with Loza lurking at the back post.

Alvechurch were putting some decent deliveries into Johnson’s area but Rossi Jarvis and Jackson were dealing with the attacks well.

On 26 minutes, Charles Wragg shot at Johnson while Rossi Jarvis made a great block with nine minutes of the half remaining.

Leiston took a quick free kick on 41 minutes, with George Quantrell playing a ball to Loza and the Blues player shot wide of Hollingshead’s left hand post. Before the half was out, Ollie Saunders cleared away a headed attempt on the goal line and Leiston did eventually clear.

There were no further chances until eight minutes into the second half, with Quantrell playing in Loza who cut inside the area and shot just wide of Hollingshead’s left hand post. Ismael Fatadjo was shown a yellow card for Leiston for a foul but chances for both sides were being limited and both defences remained on top.

Leiston boss Wigger changed personnel around before Rossi Jarvis and the Blues manager were both booked.

On 83 minutes, the all-important second goal came when Clements won the ball in midfield and Alexander’s ball over the top put in Loza who rounded the defender and shot into Hollingshead’s bottom left-hand corner.

Kieran Wakefield tested Johnson at his near post on 87 minutes while deep into stoppage time, Quantrell crossed from the left and the ball was met by Alexander but his effort was deflected wide of the post by Loza.

On 95 minutes, the Blues couldn’t clear away a goal mouth scramble and sub Richard Batchelor shot home to pull a goal back for the visitors. But there was hardly time to restart the match and Leiston had their three points.

FT: - Blues 2-1 Alvechurch.

The Blues next two games are both away, starting with a trip to St Ives Town on Saturday (3pm kick off).

Line-ups: -
Blues: - Johnson, Hill (sub Yun 81 mins), Saunders, Rossi Jarvis, Eddie Jackson, Fatadjo (sub Armin 78 mins), Alexander, Curtis (sub Clements 65 mins), Fowkes (sub Manly 84 mins), Quantrell, Loza. Sub not used: - Ryan Jarvis.
Alvechurch: - Hollingshead, Sephton, Perry, Pearce, Willis (sub Richards 71 mins), Wragg (sub Reka 62 mins), Barnett (sub Batchelor 84 mins), Dyer, Sullivan, Wakefield, Crowther. Sub not used: - Eve (GK).

Match Sponsor, Fisher’s Gin, Man Of The Match: - Fraser Alexander.
A big thanks also to Rubyrooster Ltd, who sponsored the match ball
Attendance: - 122.