Blues U23’s 0-3 Harwich & Parkeston - Match Report

Leiston U23’s lost 3-0 at home to Harwich as the away side helped their play-off aspects y claiming the three points on a cold night in Suffolk.

The Blues nearly got in first as Mitchell Jackson’s ball over the top found Matt Mullis but Brad Cook was off his line to claim in front of the striker. Harwich worked a good move on six minutes but Billy Jordan got back to make a good challenge. Luke Mayhew, however, put the away side in front on 11 minutes when a quick throw in saw the Essex side get a shot off on goal and the ball took a deflection to wrong foot Mehew and the ball went into the net. Ollie Griggs put an inviting ball into the area that was cleared while ex Blues player Gareth Heath, who made 345 appearances for the first team, netting 135 times, shot just wide of Mehew’s right hand post. Mehew dealt with a couple of efforts before the half ended, with Mayhew and Heath creating the chances in the midfield regions but Leiston were more than holding their own.

Mehew saved Alfie Canning’s strike from dictanace and also did well to make a fine stop from Mayhew from the follow up on 49 minutes. Harwich made it two on 55 minutes when a cross field ball enabled Mayhew to get away on the left and the player got into the box to strike well past Mehew. Mayhew had a chance to get a hat-trick shortly later but was off target with his strike. Leiston kept playing the ball around nicely but struggled to test Cook in the away goal although a few crosses were put into the keepers area. Charlie Stoneley and sub Leo Carty had chances late on for the away side but striker Liam White assured that Harwich would go away with all the points when on 88 minutes, he finished well past Mehew.

A good effort by Neil Smye’s side as the U23’s continue to improve.

FT: - Blues U23’s 0-3 Harwich & Parkeston.

Line-ups: -

Blues U23’s: - Mehew, Young, Jordan, Green (sub King 45 mins), Oldman, Yaxley (sub Buckman 73 mins), Griggs, Mitchell Jackson, Fowler, Mullis (sub Wilson 56 mins), Travis.

Harwich & Parkeston: - Cook, Tuck, Harte, Stoneley, Sullivan, Keeble, Mayhew, Heath, Eades (sub Smith 64 mins), White (sub Corner 89 mins), Canning (sub Carty 73 mins). Sub not used: - Eagle.

Blues Man Of The Match: - Billy Jordan.

Attendance: - 44.