Haverhill Borough 2-6 Leiston Reserves

In extremely windy conditions, Leiston left New Croft with an excellent 6-2 victory.

Leiston, playing with the wind behind them in the first half, didn’t have to rely on that advantage and played some good passing football in the first period. The first half saw Leiston net goals through Louie Bloom, Jac Garrard, Jourdan Kiwomya and Jake Reed as they moved into a 4-0 lead.

Haverhill played better second half and Leiston struggled to get out of their half at times. Zac Gissing came on and impressed, putting a good ball through to Louie Bloom but he couldn’t convert. But Gissing set up Jake Reed moments later and he netted to make it five. George Fricker and Oliver Seymour came on as the half progressed and did well. A move involving four Leiston players set up Reed for his hat-trick, but the hosts pulled two late goals back, one via the penalty spot.

The win should give the young Blues side confidence going into the weekend’s clash with Harleston Town, who currently sit top of the table.

Finally, a special mention goes to Jake Reed and George Keys, two senior players, who led by example and helped the younger players in difficult conditions.

Line-ups: -

Haverhill Borough: - Down, Simmonds, Martin, Williams, Hurkett, Watson, Ollington, Kabashi, Pruden, Swallow, Collis. Subs (used): - Lindsay, Bone.
Sub (not used): - Fanthorpe.

Leiston: - Noon, Groom (Fricker 60 mins), Hammond, Gaffer, Keys, Shopov, Garrard, Carrigan (Seymour 75 mins), Reed, Bloom, Kiwomya (Gissing 49 mins).

Man Of The Match: - Jake Reed.