Suffolk Premier Cup Quarter Final Leiston 5 Ipswich Wanderers 1 Leiston set up a Suffolk Premier Cup semi-final meeting with Ryman Premier Division rivals Needham Market after beating Ipswich Wanderers 5-1 last night.

East Anglian Daily Times: Tom Winter scores for Leiston.Tom Winter scores for Leiston. (Image: Sarah Lucy brown)

The hosts, who play two levels above Wanderers, were in irresistible form in the first half, where they scored all five goals.

Striker Christy Finch grabbed himself a brace, while Tom Winter, Jake Taylor and Joe Jefford were also on the score-sheet.

Leiston stamped their authority from the off and took the lead after just 10 minutes. Joe Francis got in down the left and after James Bradbrook brilliantly kept out Taylor’s header, a gleeful Winter tapped home.

Several more chances came and went, but the Blues were not denied for too long and, in the 18th minute, fine work from Taylor to win the ball back sent Francis scampering. He showed Dan Tredray a clean pair of heels before squaring to Finch to roll home.

East Anglian Daily Times: Tom Winter scores for Leiston.Tom Winter scores for Leiston. (Image: Sarah Lucy brown)

Francis was like a man on a mission and in the 22nd minute it was his brilliance that allowed Taylor to calmly add number three past Bradbrook when one-on-one.

The young stopper, on loan from Needham, then did well to prevent Gareth Heath from adding a fourth after Patrick Brothers’ fine clip, before Leiston scored two more goals within 90 seconds of each other in minutes 34 and 36.

Troublesome trio Taylor, Francis, and Finch were all involved as the latter added his second from close-range for number five, with defender Jefford getting in on the act shortly afterwards, stabbing home from a corner.

Francis almost got his goal in the 40th minute, but Bradbrook – who had a fine game – saved well in a half where the hosts were completely dominant.

The visitors, missing former Leiston favourite David Head (quadricep) at centre-back, improved after the break, and after 53 minutes, Jack Severy reduced the deficit with a fierce strike through the crowd after Alex Rossis turned Craig Jennings’ shot around the post.

A tricky run from Jennings moments later almost saw Wanderers pull another goal back.

After 59 minutes, Finch and Francis’ work for the evening was done, with Billy and Lloyd Clark entering proceedings.

Leiston gave another start to Kelsey Trotter and the central midfielder again impressed.

Elsewhere in the Suffolk Premier Cup last night, holders of the competition Lowestoft Town survived a scare as they beat Haverhill Rovers 4-2 at The New Croft.

In the Ryman League Cup, Brightlingsea Regent lost to higher-level Enfield 2-1, while in the Essex County Cup, Heybridge Swifts beat League Two Dagenrham & Redbridge 3-2 on penalties.

In the Ryman North, Maldon & Tiptree lost 2-1 to Haringey Borough,with Sam Newson scoring on his Jammers debut.