As match sponsor today . . I'm pleased to say we won 2 - 0
Ryman League North Division One – Monday January 2nd 2012 Leiston 2-0 Soham Town Rangers Table topping Blues start 2012 with 3 more points The home side started the brighter and although they were moving the ball around quite nicely at times failed to create any real chances until the 23rd minute when the visiting keeper attempted to shepherd the ball out for a goal kick near the corner flag and the quick thinking Rhys Henry nipped ahead of him and cleverly set up Luke Hammond whose lofted effort from about 25 yrds was cleared by a defender on the line. On 39 mins Leiston had a real let off when a breakaway down the left resulted in a ball fizzed across the box only to miss the boot of a visiting forward by inches. (Think Gazza against Germany Euro 96) Minutes later a fine cross from Patrick Brothers was headed straight at the Soham keeper by Shane Wardley and this proved to be the last chance of an even, well contested half that ended goalless. HT 0-0 The second half started in much the same vein with Leiston looking to push home their advantage in terms of possession while the visitors sporadically looked a threat on the break. Early in the half the Soham keeper tipped a Rhys Henry effort into the path of Brothers who lofted the ball back into the area but Heaths header was well saved. On 60 mins the lively Soham Number 11 saw a stinging free kick tipped over one handedly by Louis Johnson, but the momentum of the game definitely changed on 63 mins when Leiston mad their first substitution when Nathan Stone came onto replace Luke Hammond & his impact was almost immediate. His direct running & physical strength earned Leiston a free kick wide on the left and while many initially thought Gareth Heaths free kick had curled directly in, the goal was later credited to Danny Smy who must have got a deft touch on the ball as it headed goalwards. ‘Gangles’ continued to be a threat whether it was creating chances for himself or others and went close on at least 3 occasions to deservedly getting on the scoresheet and on 81 mins his strong run through the centre and clever pass released Gareth Heath who still had to round the keeper before guiding the ball into the net while avoiding the defenders on the line for a well taken goal A tight, hard fought game, that was turned by the introduction of Nathan Stone, who certainly made an impact for the last half an hour or so! A good win, played out in freezing conditions, against credible, hard working opposition and a great start to 2012. Att – 175 Sponsors MOM – Gareth Heath
