Starting Line-up: Wright, Jackson, Batho, French, Young, Atkin, King, Cox, Rayworth, Fowler, Asemota
Bench: Travis, Bolayi, Finlinson, Johnson

Sonny Wright returned between the sticks for the penultimate home game of the season and Jack
Finlinson and Enzo Johnson were given places on the bench for the first time. The game saw the
return to Victory Road of former blues, Ben Stannard and Josh Cheetham.
An early foul on Charlie Atkin gave the Reserves their first scoring opportunity but Cam Rayworth
pulled the kick wide. This chance was followed by sustained Cornard pressure which saw Sonny
Wright making a good save low to his right, the ball in the home net which was disallowed for a foul
in the build-up and a penalty scored by the visitors after Sonny Wright was adjudged to have
brought down a visitor’s player. The Reserves response to going behind was good with Ashdon
Fowler cutting in from the left and seeing his right foot shot being turned over the bar. From the
resulting corner the visiting ‘keeper was called into action again but this time with a straight forward
catch. Such is the way of football, that a chance at one end is immediately followed by a goal at the
other. This one being a free header at the far post from a left side corner. Again the response from
the home side was good with a through ball putting Charlie Atkin in a race for the ball with the
Cornard goalkeeper. A chase that he won but unfortunately his shot trickled just wide of the post.
The visitors were forced into an early change when Josh Cheetham came off injured. With about a
third of the game gone Ashdon Fowler put Charlie Atkin through on goal but his shot went well wide.
The last fifteen minutes of the half saw the home defence under pressure with only the occasional
breakaway. One such breakaway again saw Charlie Atkin put in behind the visiting defence but when
it’s not your day it’s not your day as his shot/cross was cleared off the line.

Half Time: Leiston Reserves 0 – 2 Cornard United

The visitors were clearly not satisfied with their two goal lead as within five minutes of the restart
they had a shot hit the bar and had scored their third goal. The ball being turned in after a bit of
pinball in the home defence. Cam Young had the first chance of the half for the Reserves but his shot
went just wide. Enzo Johnson made his debut from the bench replacing Sergio Asemota as the
Reserves sought to open their account. Cam Rayworth made a surging run down the right flank but
couldn’t find the cross his run deserved. Midway through the half Jack Finlinson replaced Reagan
King and he made an immediate impression with a strong run and cross which found Ashdon Fowler
whose shot forced the goalkeeper into making a good save. It was the other substitute, Enzo
Johnson, who came closest to scoring when a corner fell to him, his shot rebounded back to him
from the crossbar and his second effort went straight to the ‘keeper. With fifteen minutes left
Cornard won the ball back in the middle of the home team’s half, drove forward and forced Sonny
Wright into making a good save. Unfortunately the rebound fell to an unmarked player who had a
simple tap in. Within minutes of this Cam Rayworth, again marauding from full back, was brought
down in the penalty area. He got up to take the kick himself which was well saved. With about ten
minutes remaining Charlie Atkin was replaced by MacKenzie Travis. In the closing minutes the
Reserves were fortunate not to concede when Sonny Wright appeared to hold back a Cornard
player.

Full Time: Leiston Reserves 0 – 4 Cornard United

The officials generally had a good game but in my opinion should have taken firmer action on the
verbal abuse they received from both players and benches. @Dougal1712