Line-up: Marcus Mehew, Elliott Young, Ben Batho, Cameron Rayworth, Warren Buckman, Mackenzie Travis, Ollie Griggs, Matt Mullis, Kian Wilson, Charlie Atkin, Mitchell Jackson
Subs: Ashdon Fowler, Reagan King, Darius Petrea, Munashe Chirimuuta, Josh Yaxley

Previous results against today’s visitors had not been good with only one win and one draw in eleven attempts. Contrasting performances in the team’s last two games against AFC Sudbury Reserves and Wivenhoe Town offered few indications as to how this game would play out.

In the opening moments of the game the signs looked positive as the Boro goalkeeper was forced into making a good save, a save which fell to the feet of Matt Mullis who looked to have put the U23s ahead but for an excellent save again from the Boro ‘keeper. With the home side playing the better football it seemed to be only a matter of time before they took the lead. But football’s a funny game and a long kick from the visiting goalkeeper completely beat the home defenders and they found themselves one goal behind as the attacker shot into the home goal. It didn’t take long for the away side to increase their lead when a gap opened up between the home defence and a simple through ball led to another one on one with Marcus in the home goal. To their credit the young team didn’t panic and reduced the lead from a MITCHELL JACKSON left foot shot from the edge of the penalty area which nestled just inside the post. Indeed they levelled the scores when a Charlie Atkin shot rebounded off the post to MATT MULLIS who scored from close range. (Or did Charlie’s shot go in and rebound from the wheels just behind the goal line?) Either way the scores were level and got even better after the referee played a good advantage when Charlie Atkin had been brought down and the ball ran kindly to CAMERON RAYWORTH who shot across goal into the far post.

Half Time: - Leiston U23’s 3-2 Haverhill Borough

Early pressure from Boro in the second half saw them equalise and then take the lead following another defensive error all within 10 minutes of the re-start. The remainder of the game followed the pattern of the first half with respect to the referee showing yellow card after yellow card to players of both sides. In amongst that was a player from both sides spending 10 minutes in the sin bin and a second yellow, hence a red for a visiting player. As for the football the home side forced the goalkeeper into making another double save to keep them ahead. Deep into added on time a mishit shot deceived Marcus into moving the wrong way and the ball trickled into the net. Even deeper into added on time KIAN WILSON got forward from full back, as he had been doing all game, to shoot and score under the goalkeeper’s body. Shortly after that the referee brought the game to a close.

Full Time: - Leiston U23’s 4-5 Haverhill Borough