Starting Line-up: Oliver Dawson, Jack Dawson, Ethan Oldman, Billy Jordan, Ben
Batho, Reagan King, Ollie Griggs, Mitchell Jackson (C), MacKenzie Travis,
Charlie Atkin, Joe McNeil
Bench: Emille Dozzell, Matt Mullis, Ashdon Fowler, Josh Yaxley, Marcus Mehew
The U23s returned to Victory Road following two away games that saw a tight
victory at Diss Town and defeat at one of last season’s relegated sides,
Haverhill Rovers.
The early stages saw the U23s frustrated by a number of offside decisions as
the front players were either too eager to get forward or the pass from
midfield was delayed. More likely a combination of both. Eventually the two
came together and JOE McNEIL ran on to a through ball, rounded the
goalkeeper to open the scoring. Failure to clear a Swaffham corner led to an
equaliser as the ball pinballed around until falling to the edge of the penalty
area where a low shot came through a crowd of players into the net. The
visitors weren’t level for low. A strong run down the left flank by Joe McNeil
saw his goal line cross met at the far post by MacKENZIE TRAVIS to restore the
home side’s lead.
Half Time: Leiston U23 2 – 1 Swaffham Town
A defence splitting pass from captain, Mitchell Jackson, to CHARLIE ATKIN saw
him round the keeper to extend the U23s lead. A solo virtually unchallenged
run from his own half by JOE McNEIL finished with his second goal of the
match to inflict further misery on the visitors. This was compounded as JOE
McNEIL completed his hat trick. Swaffham pulled a goal back when a challenge
between Ollie Dawson and a visiting forward resulted in the ball lobbing high
into the air and just under the bar into the net. It was little consolation for a
team well beaten on the day.
Full Time: Leiston U23 5 – 2 Swaffham Town
The home win was the first at the fifth attempt against Swaffham Town since
the U23 (Reserves) joined the league in 2014/15.
@Dougal1712