Leiston win Suffolk Premier Cup

Christy Finch falls under pressure (Image: Archant)

Leiston lifted the Omni Freight Services Suffolk Premier Cup at their fifth attempt, at Portman Road tonight.

The Victory Road club had lost four previous finals, but goals from Matt Blake and two from Christy Finch saw Glenn Driver’s side home.

For Bury, the loss of skipper Ollie Fenn just before the break after a skirmish didn’t help their cause. Leiston scored at crucial times and deserved their win.

In their changed orange and black strip, Bury started brightly, Cemal Ramadan testing Marcus Garnham in the Leiston goal.

Leiston's Kyle Hammond, left and Bury's Noel Aitkins battle for the ball. (Image: Archant)

Blake made a surging run but Jake Reed could not make clean contact with his cross. The first 15 minutes had seen Bury the better side.

However, that all changed a minute later. Tom Bullard played the ball to Finch out wide and his low cross was side-footed home six yards out by Matt Blake.

Dunbar put his side in trouble when his back pass was seized on by Ramadan, but Garnham saved at the near post. Leiston scored a second just before the break and it was a picture goal.

Chris Henderson played a delightful pass inside the defence for Dunbar to run onto. He squared for Finch to sidefoot home. Bury were in trouble now and it got worse for Ben Chenery’s side when Fenn was sent off just a minute later.

Down to 10 men, the second half was going to be tough for Bury.

Tevan Allen did well but his shot was blocked and Finch hit the post with a 20-yard effort.

Leiston made it safe 15 minutes from time.

Sub Parick Brothers’ free-kick hit the Bury wall and Finch was there to hammer home. Garnham saved well from Ramadan as Bury never gave up.

Indeed from an Ollie Hughes’ cross, Ramadan hit the post with six minutes to go.

But Leiston had chances too and thoroughly deserved their victory.

Bury: Tibbles, Yallop, Jolland, Fenn, Whight, Clements, Kennedy, Aitkins, Ramadan, Hughes, Allen. Subs: Cooper, Robinson, Wigley, Yaxley, Mayhew.

Leiston: Garnham, Hammond, Dunbar, Ainsley, Jefford, Bullard, Lawrence, Henderson, Reed, Finch, Blake. Subs: Doherty, Brothers, Marsden, Eagle, Beckwith.

Referee: George Laflin.

Attendance: 1,007.