Match Report v Wivenhoe Town

Line up: Marcus Mehew, Kian Wilson, Elliott Young, Ethan Oldman, Ben Batho, Matt Mullis, Munashe Chirimuuta, Joe McNeil, Josh Yaxley, Ollie Griggs, Charlie Atkin
Bench: Ashdon Fowler, MacKenzie Travis, Darius Petrea, Warren Buckman, Thomas Stacey

A very wet and windy Victory Road welcomed the teams, the officials and those hardy spectators who had braved the weather.

The U23s began the match with the wind at their backs but it seemed to do them little favours as balls forward were often overhit allowing easy pick ups for the visitor’s goalkeeper or simply rolling out for goal kicks. Conversely with the ball holding up in the wind it allowed the Wivenhoe front players to get to the ball before the home defence. This however was not how they came to find themselves two goals ahead at half time, both goals having been gifted to them by defensive mistakes on the edge of the penalty area. The goals apart there was little to choose between the sides.

Half Time: Leiston U23 0 – 2 Wivenhoe Town

The early stages of the second half followed very much the pattern of the first half with neither side being dominant. That changed however with the visitor’s third and fourth goals which came within minutes of each other. So close in fact that I hadn’t “Xed” about the third goal before the fourth was hitting the back of the net. There was some controversy about the third goal as to whether or not the goalscorer was offside but either way it was a very good finish and allowed to stand by the referee after consulting his assistant. The fourth goal again came about as a result of a defensive error. All five of the U23 substitutes were used by Neil and whether it was their impact or a drop off in intensity by Wivenhoe but in the last quarter of the game the U23s were dominant to the extent that it was no surprise when JOSH YAXLEY slotted home to reduce the lead after good work on the right. A second goal followed after equally good work on the left and a precise cross which was turned into his own goal by a retreating defender. Unfortunately the home side’s revival came too late in the game and it ended in the same wet and windy conditions with a win for the away side.

Full Time: Leiston U23 2 - 4 Wivenhoe Town