Leiston Reserves 1-2 Needham Market Reserves

The Reserves fell to a second successive defeat to start their league campaign as they were undone in the last minute of normal time by substitute Jamahl Godward.

On a wonderful sunny evening at the newly named Watson & Hillhouse Victory Road Stadium, Leiston made a good start with Adam Blades crossing for Santo Sarro-Haire but he was off target with his effort. Noah Collard hit the outside of the post for the away side, with Charlie Beckwith saving the follow up effort well. George Exworth jinxed into the box for Needham but shot just wide as the half wore on. Adam Blades and Ben Stannard had half chances for Leiston as the first half came to a close.

Needham took the lead eight minutes into the second half. A corner into the box was met by George Exworth and went into goalkeeper Charlie Beckwith’s bottom left hand corner. Both teams then knocked the ball around well without creating too much, but in the 67th minute, Sam Newson levelled for the hosts. A free kick into the area was met well on the volley by Newson and looped over away custodian Finlay Shorten. Mason Sinclair tried his luck on the edge of the box that Shorten got down well to his left to palm the ball around his post before Adam Blades turned in the box to make Shorten save after good work by Charlie Canham. Needham also had chances and a penalty appeal waved away but with just seconds of the ninety minutes to play, a good team move the ball being sprayed to the left, ending with Kahaml Godward striking into Beckwith’s bottom left hand corner.

On Saturday, the Reserves head to Ipswich Wanderers for their first away match of the season.

Line-ups: -

Leiston Reserves: - Beckwith, Groom, Canham, Gaffer, Allen, Newson, Stannard, Morling, Blades, Sarro-Haire (Tucker 19 mins, Connick 59 mins), Sinclair. Subs not used: - Gissing, Cornforth, Garnham.

Needham Market Reserves: - Shorten, McLaughlin (Godward 63 mins), Northwood (Palmer 45 mins), Evan Collard, Nevard, Wardley, Luke Ingram, Exworth, Nick Ingram, Noah Collard, Page. Subs not used: - Hunt, Santa, Fletcher.

Attendance: - 73.

Man Of The Match: - Ben Stannard.