Leiston and Folkestone will have to do it all again after Matt Blake grabs Blues’ leveller

Leiston 'keeper Marcus Garnham saves from Ian Drayton. Photo: PAUL VOLLER (Image: Archant)

Leiston will travel to Folkestone on Tuesday night for a replay after a 1-1 draw at Victory Road on Saturday, in the FA Trophy, writes Craig Cooper.

A week after the Kent side thrashed Leiston 5-1 in the Bostik Premier, also in Suffolk, this was a much closer affair.

Leiston got off to a bad start once again when after just five minutes, a through ball released Folkestone’s Ian Draycott who placed past the onrushing Marcus Garnham.

The visitors could have doubled their lead moments later when Ade Yussuf shot towards goal from inside the area, but Garnham palmed over the crossbar.

Play was held up for a couple of minutes when Seb Dunbar and Jordan Wright challenged each other, with the latter coming off worse, but who would continue. Leiston were struggling to create any real chances, and Ade Yussuf tried his luck with a couple of strikes but they were wide of the target.

Ian Draycott got behind Leiston’s defence but Joe Jefford got back well and put him off his stride and Garnham easily collected. Joe Marsden shot wide after a Robert Eagle delivery into the box was not fully cleared, before on the stroke of half time, Dominic Docherty found Matt Blake with a long pass but Tim Roberts saved well.

Draycott had the first attempt once more on goal in the second period, however, Garnham was alert to his shot and saved with his legs.

GOAL Matt Blake beats Tim Roberts to score the Leiston equaliser. Photo: PAUL VOLLER (Image: Archant)

Yussuf turned well on the edge of the area and his curled attempt went just wide of Garnham’s left-hand upright and Leiston levelled just past the hour mark when Folkestone didn’t deal with an aerial ball and Blake netted from an acute angle.

The away side forced Garnham into another save when he fisted away a Nathaniel Blanks’ effort, and Marsden cleared a header off the line from a corner.

Leiston’s next chance fell to Blake who strode through into the area but Roberts spread himself well to save.

Substitute Adam Blades was picked out by Blake but he blazed over when well placed. Folkestone had another good attempt but the lively Draycott was foiled once again by Garnham.

With time running out, Blake fired wide on his left foot, and both teams had to settle for a replay.

Line-ups:-

Leiston:- Garnham, Marsden, Dunbar, Brothers, Jefford, Ainsley, Lawrence, Docherty (Cheetham 45 mins), Blake, Pelling (Blades 83 mins), Eagle. Subs not used:- Knights, Beckwith.

Folkestone Invicta:- Roberts, Cooper, Blanks, Everitt, Davies, Newman, Wright (Taylor 80 mins), Heard, Draycott, Yusuff, McCann. Subs not used:- Vincent, Sahadow, Shaw.

Man of the match:- Robert Eagle.

Attendance:- 191.