Leiston 2-0 Alvechurch - Match Report

Stuart Boardley named an unchanged starting eleven for the very first time as Leiston manager as the Blues comfortably beat Alvechurch, in a match sponsored by KNP LITHO LTD. Tom Bullard returned to the squad and new keeper Joe Potter came in to the fold as Harry Lay-Fulcher had a run out for the Reserves. Seb Dunbar, suspended for the game, played for the Reserves while Harry Knights also played for the second eleven.

Chances were hard to come by in the first period. Captain Joe Jefford nearly put the hosts ahead in just the second minute, but his header was cleared off the line. Mitch Botfield flashed a header wide of Marcus Garnham’s right hand post for the Worcestershire’s side’s first chance. Kyle Morrison’s good run into the box enabled him to lay the ball off the Andre Landell but Kyle Hammond brilliantly blocked his strike. Just before the break, Noel Aitkens headed Byron Lawrence’s corner towards goal but his effort was cleared off the line.
The Blues started the second half brightly, and this time George Keys’ header from close range was somehow kept out by the visiting team. Matt Rutterford’s tackle in midfield helped the ball on to Matt Blake who did well to glid into the area and shoot just wide of Dan Crane’s right hand upright. Crane then made a good save from Christy Finch while Byron Lawrence’s shot went just over the crossbar. The break through came in the 73rd minute. Finch’s free kick was fumbled onto the crossbar by Crane and George Keys bundled the ball home. Ten minutes later, and Keys was harshly sent off for a late challenge. However, Alvechurch hardly threatened and a long kick by Marcus Garnham was misjudged by the away defence and Finch nipped in to poke home and seal the points.

FT: - Blues 2-0 Alvechurch.

‘I think the game mirrored the match last week against AFC Rushden & Diamonds in that we didn’t perform in the first half but in the second we were much sharper’, manager Stuart Boardley said after the match.
On the two goals scored, Boardley commented: - ‘I’m always confident when Christy stands over a free kick because he has such a good strike on him. The keeper has made an error but George Keys has done well to bundle the ball in. The second goal is a defensive mistake from them which came from a good kick from Marcus and Finchy’s on hand to finish the contest.’

Leiston travel to Stourbridge next Saturday in league action for their next match.

Line-ups: -

Leiston: - Garnham, Hammond, Eagle, Aitkens, Jefford, Keys, Lawrence (Bullard 85 mins), Rutterford, Davies (Docherty 63 mins), Blake (Hitter 76 mins), Finch. Subs not used: - Bacon, Potter.

Alvechurch: - Crane, Ezewele, Foster, Turton, Kyle Morrison, Willets, Bellis (Tonks 81 mins), Botfield, Landell, March (Lloyd 45 mins), Taylor Morrison (Cooke 81 mins). Subs not used: - Nabi, Carter.

Match and Match Ball Sponsor KNP LITHO LTD Man Of The Match: - Rob Eagle.

Attendance: - 236.