The Pitching-In Southern League Premier Division Central, Saturday 18th March 2023, 3:00 p.m. kick-off

Leiston 3 (2) Bromsgrove Sporting 2 (0) at the Victory Road Stadium

A goal in the 89th minute gave high flying Leiston the victory against Sporting.
Report by Iain Quain.

It was a game of 2 half’s with both teams creating chances from the first to last minute.

Leiston’s first goal came in the opening minute from Mills who headed home before Sporting had even touched the ball. However Sporting didn’t let their heads drop and got the ball down and played some good football. Sporting had some long range efforts but didn’t threaten the Leiston goal too much. Leiston extended their lead to 2-0 after a flick on put the impressive Davies through on goal to power the ball past Ollie Taylor giving him no chance.

Leiston went in at half time 2-0 up with two well taken goals and deservingly held their lead.

Sporting came out positive in the second half and the front 3 of Dunkley, Tee and Smalley linked up well to create opportunities in the final third. The impressive Dunkley led the line well, didn’t lose a header all game and caused the Leiston defence problems throughout.

On 58 minutes Sporting made their pressure pay when Tee was brought down and the referee did not hesitate in pointing to the spot. Smalley stepped up and confidently smashed the ball into the top corner to reduce the depict to 2-1.

Unfortunately, soon after Leiston were awarded a penalty of their own when their player tripped in the box. Leiston’s number 7 Barnes stepped up and struck the penalty down low to Ollie’s right. Fortunately for Sporting Ollie picked the right corner and made an excellent save before quickly getting back up onto his feet to save the rebound.

Minutes later Sporting won a corner after a curling effort from Ayo narrowly missed the top corner. Smalley whipped the resulting corner in and Dunkley got across his defender to nod home. Sporting deservingly equalised and seemed like the team who might go on and win the game.

It was an end to end game and Leiston then came back into it creating some good chances from set pieces, firstly heading over from close range and then secondly hitting the post from a deep corner.

Unfazed by this, Sporting created chances of their own and Dunkley went though on goal but his poked effort agonisingly went past the post.

In the 89th minute Leiston won a free kick, which after being half cleared was squared into the box to Davies who connected to score his 28th goal of the season. Heartbreaking.

Sporting continued to press and Macca who by now had pushed into midfield drove the team forward and demonstrated excellent leadership qualities on the pitch.

6 minutes of added time was added and the boys continued to be patient and work the opportunities. A deep free kick from Tee was whipped to the back post and sub Jack Tolley connected excellently with the ball heading it low and hard into the corner of the net. Somehow the Leiston keeper Donkin got down to keep the ball out and keep the score line at 3-2. Soon after the referee whistled to blow for full time.

Despite the loss, this was a performance which the players should be proud of. Four players made their debuts, including 3 teenagers in defence. We pushed one of the best teams in the league all the way.

Honourable mentions:
- new boys gave assured performance
- Dunkley’s performance and goal
- Jack Newell’s return
- Connor Tee. Baller.
- Smalley can take pens!!!!