Wivenhoe Town 2-1 Blues U23’s - Match Report

Leiston U23’s went down to a narrow defeat on Friday night to Wivenhoe Town in the Thurlow Nunn First Division North.

There was positive news to the team as Ben Batho was welcomed back after breaking his collar bone in mid October. Joe McNeil is also fit again after struggling with injuries this term but both started on the bench.

Leiston tested keeper Finley McNiver-Jones after just three minutes but Charlie Atkin’s effort was pushed saved by the home custodian before Reagan King shot well wide of the goal. Wivenhoe had their first strike on goal a minute later but Taylor Nicholson was off target. Atkin got in again on 7 minutes but Harry Johnson got back to make a fine challenge before sixty seconds later, Wivenhoe broke forward and a cross from the Blues left fell to Johnson and his shot went into the roof of Marcus Mehew’s net. Finley Hughes volleyed wide for the hosts while Mark Oallinger tested Mehew on the edge of the area but the Leiston keeper made a good save. Ryan Lewis was thwarted by Mehew as the half wore on while Atkin went close shooting just over at an angle. Halfway through the half, Ollie Griggs ventured down the Blues left flank before squaring a ball to Mitchell Jackson, who saw his drive tipped over by NcIver-Jones. Just after the half hour, and Finley Hughes received a straight red card for kicking out at Reagan King, with the Blues player getting a yellow card in the process. Leiston, looking to get in just a goal down, conceded with virtually the last kick of the first half when Ryan Lewis beat Mehew to a ball from eight yards out to poke the ball over the keeper and double Wivenhoe’s advantage.

Leiston U23’s couldn’t have made a better start to the half as Reagan King finished off a move from the left into NcIver-Jones bottom right hand corner. Leiston now were dictating the play but not creating much in front of goal. Thomas Ayton though had an excellent chance to put the home side back in front but put the ball the wrong side of the post. Sub Joe McNeil tested the home keeper but he was equal to the test. With just under twenty minutes to go, McNeil got forward once again and shot just wide of McIver-Jones left hand post. King set up Mackenzie Travis shortly after and the player shot just wide of the post again for Leiston. On 89 minutes, McNeil struck a free kick against the bar from eight yards out after Leiston got an indirect free kick before Cameron Young shot just over from the rebound. Leiston kept trying but couldn’t grab a leveller and after seven minutes of stoppage time, referee Dimitru Vasile brough the game to an end.

FT: - Wivenhoe Town 2-1 Blues U23’s.

The U23’s continue to improve as they look forward now to a game at Needham Market U23’s on Saturday 30th December (3pm kick off) in their final game of 2023.

Line-ups: -

Wivenhoe Town: - Nciver-Jones, Long, Oallinger, Eldridge, Johnson, Harvey, Ayton, Gallifant (sub Nwankwo 55 mins), Lewis, Nicholson, Hughes. Subs not used: - Masnita, Hume, Richards, Balaam.

Blues U23’s: - Mehew, Wilson, Cameron Young, Jordan (sub Batho 80 mins), King, Dozzell (sub Elliot Young 80 mins), Griggs (sub Fowler 68 mins), Mitchell Jackson (sub Chirimuuta 64 mins), Atkin, Mullis (sub McNeil 64 mins), Travis.

Blues Man Of The Match: - Cameron Young.

Attendance: - 84.