Blues 0 Barwell 1

Leiston lost their first league match of the season at home as a useful Barwell side deservedly won this MATCH SPONSORED BY MILLS HEATING. Glen Driver brought in Seb Dunbar, Jake Reed, Sam Warde and Noel Aitkens into the starting XI, while Chris Henderson (signed for King's Lynn), Byron Lawrence (injured), Robert Eagle and Dominic Docherty (both named on bench) all dropped out.

An early Kyle Hammond delivery was punched away by away keeper Elliott Taylor, but Leiston struggled for fluency and lacked a goal threat for most of the match. Liam Canavan had a shot deflected over and the impressive Brady Hickey struck the outside of the post moments later. Patrick Brothers' corner was headed towards goal by Joe Jefford but his goal mouth effort was cleared off the line. Christy Finch's long pass was misjudged by goalkeeper Taylor, but with Matt Blake pouncing, Barwell cleared the danger. Captain Hickey's strike from long range was pushed round the post by Marcus Garnham as the visitors were keeping possession well in the Leiston half. Christy Finch shot straight at keeper Taylor, but the visitors took the lead in the 37th minute. Goalkeeper Marcus Garnham did well to claw away Hickey's original attempt after a cross form the left, and the striker then hit a post but at the third attempt he hooked the ball into Garnham's top right hand corner. Sam Warde struck off target late on as the half came to a close.

At the start of the second period, Edward Percival delivered from the left and the ball was met by Hickey but his header went over the crossbar. The Blues did have an excellent chance as Kyle Hammond's ball found Matt Blake who flicked on to Noel Aitkens but his control let him down. Both sides made substitutions as Garnham palmed away a Massiah McDonald effort for a corner. Garnham claimed well from the corner. The same player shot on the edge of the area moments later but was off target. Christy Finch fired just over and with time running out, Jake Reed got into the area but his strike was saved by Taylor, and the offside flag was also raised. Barwell saw the match out with little worry as Leiston dropped to 4th place, while Barwell rose to 10th.

FT - Blues 0 Barwell 1

Blues - Garnham, Hammond, Dunbar, Warde, Jefford, Bullard, Aitkens (Ramadan 80 mins), Reed, Blake, Finch, Brothers (Docherty 70 mins). Subs not used - Eagle and Lay-Fulcher.

Barwell - Taylor, Percival, Nisevic, Desrosiers, Gascoigne, Tomkinson (Heath 80 mins), Hildrety, Canavan (Story 88 mins), McDonald, Hickey, Nelson (Williams 61 mins). Subs not used - Ashby and Weir-Daley.

Match Sponsors MILLS HEATING LIMITED Man of the Match - Kyle Hammond

Attendance - 235