LEISTON U23s won 4-0 at Leiston St Margarets as they won their first league match of this season in the Gateway 14 SIL Premier Division.

After a goalless first half, where Leiston dominated, the Blues scored four goals in the first 13 minutes of the second period to take control of the contest.

Ollie Long and Liam Shaw, who were on the substitutes bench for the first team first two league games, were brought into the starting XI.

The Blues started the game brightly and Long shot over the bar after just 30 seconds of the game while Stan Horne had an effort blocked after four minutes.

Horne then got behind the home defence once again but home keeper James Clouting got back well and ‘Saints cleared. Connor Crane then put across a ball to Horne who in turn played in Blues captain Ollie Griggs but the player headed over the bar.

Jack De-Vere Packford had a good chance halfway through the half but Copping saved his strike before Long again tested Clouting but the keeper pulled off a good save to his left.

Griggs curled an effort against Clouting’s right hand upright before Long’s follow up attempt was put in but the flag was raised for offside.

Long put over a free kick just before the half hour mark while Aaron Newton curled a free kick just over Copping’s bar on 35 minutes.

Jack McLeavy shot well off target as the half progressed before long again was thwarted by Clouting and then the striker nearly put on Horne’s free kick, but the youngsters effort rolled just the wrong side of Clouting’s right hand post.

Leiston made a rapid start to the second half and Long put the U23s ahead just seconds into the half, firing home from outside the box into Clouting’s bottom left hand corner.

The Blues then made it two when a penalty was conceded by the hosts and Long sent Clouting the wrong way on 49 minutes to make it two.

Connor Crane then made it three after netting off the crossbar after Clouting pushed a ball out to his left and it was four on 58 minutes.

Long headed away a corner before Leiston broke up the other end and Long shot past Clouting, given the keeper no chance. Horne and Long then went close again by Clouting saved well while Luis Viera tried his luck at an angle.

Late on, Rajiv Forrester had an effort that was off target before Clouting’s saved well again.

Late on, ‘Saints sub Jordan Nicholls had a couple of late shots while McLeavy went close at the other end.

The final action of the game saw De-Vere Packford test Copping and with that referee Alex Silvera blew his full time whistle.

FT: - Leiston St Margarets 0-4 Blues U23s

Neil Smye’s side now head to Henley Athletic on Saturday in their next league fixture (2.30pm kick off).

Line-ups: -
Leiston St Margarets: - Clouting, Dennis, Bolstridge, Parker, Southey, Neat, Mace, Newton, Sharman, Doyle (C), De Vere-Packford. Subs (all used): - Ben Crush, Tom Crush, Nicholls, Strowger, Knights.

Blues U23s: - Copping, Connor Crane, Max Crane, Bales, Viera, Green, Shaw, Griggs (C), Long, Horne, Forrester. Subs (all used): - Nye, Buckman, McLeavy, Ashton Rayworth.