HARVEY Sayer thumped home a second-half equaliser, as Leiston began their new Southern League Premier Division Central season with a point at Anstey Nomads, writes Craig Cooper.

The Leicestershire side, fresh from promotion last season, had the better of the opening half and Jon Kirby-Moore put the home side ahead on 24 minutes, much to the delight of the large home crowd who were witnessing Step 3 football for the first time.

However, Leiston came out a different side in the second half and early chances went begging, before Sayer thumped home on 48 minutes after Adam Mills' long throw-in landed as far as the Blues man 14 yards out.

It was a far more even second period and Leiston almost nicked it late on when Sayer's shot hit the bar, as both sides deserved a point

The Blues now turn their attentions to two home games this week, starting with Bishop's Stortford at the Flannery Stadium, on Tuesday night.

Manager Chris Wigger brought Ryan Jarvis into the starting XI with Wyatt Hill beginning at right back, and new striker Tade Ibrahim started on the bench. Joao Rangel, Cameron Rayworth, Adam Marriott and Noel Aitkens are all currently out injured.

The home side began better and won a free kick as early as the second minute and Lewis Gibbens connected at the back post but his shot was wide. Four minutes later, and Hill was adjudged to have fouled a player on the right flank and the free kick into the area was again met by Gibbens but his header went over Callum Robinson’s crossbar.

On ten minutes, Kyle Callan-McFadden headed away a cross, this time from Leiston’s left before captain Seb Dunbar headed away the corner as the home side strarted brightly.

A mistake in the home defence meant Willie Clemons got in on goal but Brad Clarkson made himself big and Clemons could only shoot wide of the keeper’s right-hand upright.

On 15 minutes, Luis Rose's half volley was pushed away well by Robinson to his right before three minutes later, Dunbar and Adam Mills linked up well on the left but the Blues captain ran the ball out of play.

It was the home side took the lead on 24 minutes when Leiston couldn’t defend against a ball from their right and Harvey Kirby-Moore headed home from two yards at the back post. Anstey Nomads then had a chance just past the half hour mark but Henry Bestwick side-footed over Robinson bar.

Sayer’s ball nearly got in Mills moments later before Mills’ cross from Leiston’s left found Jude Frostick, but the midfielder headed just wide of Clarkson’s left hand post.

The last real action of the half saw home right back Kyle Tomlin shoot over from a free kick on the edge of the Blues box.

Leiston came out with an attacking purpose after the break and Mills’s shot just 40 seconds into the half was excellently blocked.

But, after the corner was only cleared for a throw in, the ball broke to Sayer on the edge of the box and he shot into Clarkson’s bottom left hand corner to draw the sides level.

The Blues then brought Tade Ibrahim on for a first appearance to replace Ryan Jarvis. Robinson then came to claim a corner from Anstey, with the Blues keeper impressing all afternoon.

He then came through a crowded penalty area three minutes later to hold a corner before Hill went down under a challenge on the right and both teams rushed over to their respective dug-outs to get a drink.

Mills played in Sayer after play got underway again but Sayer shot wide of Clarkson’s left hand post this time. Dunbar made a good block inside the Blues penalty area at the other end while on 74 minutes, Frostick worked Clarkson from outside the box, with the keeper getting down to his right well.

Two minutes later at the other end, Robinson kept out an effort at the other end, getting down low to his right to palm the ball away to safety while a shot from the hosts went just over moments later.

Robinson made another terrific stop on 82 minutes, getting down again to his right, before Leiston broke up field with Mills and Ibrahim striking the ball off target.

On 89 minutes, Sayer showed brilliant individual play on the Blues left to nutmeg a defender and get into the box but he shot against Clarkson’s crossbar as the Blues almost nicked the win.

Mills then shot just wide as Leiston finished strongly before referee Callum Johnson brought an end to proceedings on a hot afternoon.

FT: Anstey Nomads 1 Blues 1

Line-ups;

Anstey Nomads: Clarkson, Tomlin, Tonge, Annable, Gibbens, Gill (Thomas 65 mins), Liversidge (Bouch 87 mins), Bestwick, Kirby-Moore (Grantham 75 mins), Rose (Smith 80 mins), Chitza. Sub not used: Wauchope.

Blues: Robinson, Hill (Batho 62 mins), Dunbar, Callan-McFadden, Jackson, Alexander, Clemons (Parlett 78 mins), Sayer, Mills, Frostick, Jarvis (Ibrahim 49 mins) . Subs not used: Shaw and Long.

Blues Man Of The Match: Callum Robinson

Attendance: 377