
ADAM Mills struck twice and Eddie Jackson netted his second of the campaign, as Leiston moved up to seventh in the Southern League Central Premier Division table with a 3-0 win over lowly Stamford, writes Craig Cooper.
On a damp and dank afternoon, man-of-the-match Mills lit up the Flannery Stadium with two goals on 38 and 81 minutes, with Jackson coolly notching Leiston's second on 73 minutes.
Bottom-of-the-table Stamford fought hard throughout and Leiston were made to work for their win on a pitch in excellent condition, despite the torrents of rain on it in the previous 24 hours.
Chris Wigger's side had too much craft for their visitors however, and now look forward to another home clash against Bishop's Stortford on Tuesday night.
The same eleven appeared the last time the Blues played at Worcester City last weekend.
Adam Mills shot over outside the box on eight minutes for the Blues after Stamford had put a couple of balls into the Leiston area early on by Kyle Callan-McFadden and Eddie Jackson dealt with the danger before Seb Dunbar and Ben Fowkes linked up well on Leiston’s left and the latter shot just wide of Thomas Jackson’s left hand post.
On 19 minutes, Eddie Jackson and Wyatt Hill made good interceptions in the Blues area to thwart the away team while on 28 minutes, Dunbar’s through ball found Mills but the Blues player shot wide.
Fraser Alexander’s free kick was deflected onto the bar by an away defender on 35 minutes before the hosts took the lead when Adam Mills headed home Willie Clemons’ cross on 38 minutes.
Stamford began the second half well, with George Hobbins testing Billy Johnson on 49 minutes while Clemons netted for Leiston a minute later but the offside flag was raised.
Manni Norkett shot into the side netting moments later, before on 56 minutes, Billy Johnson saved Ryan Wilson’s free kick.
Johnson saved again from Wilson on 72 minutes as the Blues broke up field and from a long throw in, Eddie Jackson shot home into an empty to double the lead.
On 81 minutes, Adam Mills lobbed Thomas Jackson in goal after a long kick by Johnson to make sure of the win.
Stamford won a few corners at the end of the game but the home team defended well to keep a clean sheet.
FT: Blues 3 Stamford 0
Leiston host Bishop’s Stortford on Tuesday night in their next league game (7.45pm kick off).
Line-ups;
Blues: Johnson, Hill, Dunbar, Callan-McFadden, Jackson, Rangel, Alexander, Mills, Clemons (Frostick 87 mins), Jarvis (Manly 65 mins), Fowkes (Blois 70 mins). Sub not used: Mehew.
Stamford:Jackson, Thomas, Marzano (Bartle 70 mins), Hobbins (Frew 83 mins), Cooke, Collard, Sanchez-Tongue, Vince (Rowley 76 mins), Toll (Varela 70 mins), Norkett (Challinor 76 mins), Wilson.
Blues Man Of The Match, selected by D.B.A: Adam Mills.
Attendance: 144