Leiston 1-1 Royston Town - Match Report

The Blues made it four games unbeaten in the league as they moved up a place to 10th in a very tight league, in a match sponsored by Mr Alan Crane and Mr Tim Jacobs

Ashley Nicholls was unavailable for the match so in came Noel Aitkens to replace him after the latter passed a late fitness test. Harrison Bacon came into the squad to take his place on the bench.

Leiston started the match well and had an early chance as early on as the 4th minute. Jake Reed crossed from the right and Patrick Brothers latched on to his delivery but his shot was blocked, with Byron Lawrence seeing the rebound well saved by Joe Welch in the away goal. Adam Murray had Royston’s first chance but Marcus Garnham saved well from his header. Joe Jefford headed against the crossbar from Kyle Hammond’s corner while shortly later after another good Blues move, Jake Reed headed wide from Kyle Hammond’s delivery. Both teams delivered some good balls into the box before a mistake from full back George Keys let in Josh Castiglione but Marcus Garnham blocked his shot well and punched the follow up away to safety. Kyle Hammond stroked just wide as half time approached in a lively opening 45 minutes.

Royston had a good chance at the start of the second period. Marcus Garnham punched a free kick away
and Scott Thomas fired just wide of the keeper’s right hand post. Leiston were awarded a free kick in the 59th minute. Kyle Hammond’s driving run ended with him being upended, with the referee having no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. However, Jake Reed’s spot kick was palmed away to his right hand side by Welch. Both teams kept at it but it was the hosts who took the lead in the 76th minute. Noel Aitkens found himself with time outside the box and crashed home a great strike from 25 yards. The visitors nearly levelled from the restart as Tom Newman tested Garnham but the keeper saved superbly. But Royston did level with nine minutes of normal time remaining. An inviting corner was met well by sub Harold Joseph who bundled the ball home. Late on, Newman had another good chance for Royston while sub Christy Finch struck wide of goal with Matt Blake nearly getting on the end of the move but both sides had to settle for a point.

FT:- Blues 1-1 Royston Town.

Line-ups:-

Leiston:- Garnham, Keys, Dunbar, Aitkens, Jefford (Knights 72 mins), Bullard, Lawrence, Hammond, Reed (Finch 72 mins), Blake, Brothers. Subs not used:- Bacon, Moore, Beckwith.

Royston Town:- Welch, Scott-Morris, Oswick (Newton 36 mins), Thomas, Murray, Brathwaite, Castiglione (Gordon 48 mins), Mentis, Bola, Newman, Gallin (Joseph 71 mins). Subs not used:- Crowther, Smart.

Match Sponsors Alan Crane and Tim Jacobs Man Of The Match:- Noel Aitkens.

Attendance:- 249.