Rampant Leiston cruise to another three Ryman Premier League points
Leiston's Byron Lawrence (blue) in action against Canvey last night - Credit: James Bass
Leiston 4 Canvey Island 0
Leiston cruised to another Ryman Premier Division three points last night, with an impressive 4-0 win over Canvey Island.
The Blues were rampant in the first half, with Jack Ainsley, Niko Muir-Merchant, and Matt Blake all scoring, while Byron Lawrence added the fourth in the second period.
Leiston started with determination and after six minutes, they could have taken the lead.
Patrick Brothers put a lovely ball through for Seb Dunbar, but the attacking left-back opted to try and square to Blake instead of shooting and Canvey were able to clear.
You may also want to watch:
The Blues did not have to wait too long for the breakthrough to come though, and after their fearsome forward pairing of Blake and Muir-Merchant combined, the Canvey net was bulging.
Muir-Merchant played Blake into space, and as the striker scampered through on goal, he was taken down by Canvey skipper Steve Sheehan for the most blatant penalty.
Most Read
- 1 Woman in 20s dies in single car crash on A12 in Suffolk
- 2 Boy, 5, dies after suffering serious head injury at department store
- 3 Suffolk enjoys warehousing boom as more businesses flock to region
- 4 Edmundson ruled out of opener as Cook discusses 'four, five or six' more transfers
- 5 A12 fully reopened after serious crash
- 6 Suffolk pub reopens with exclusive Champagne carvery
- 7 Swimmers report sickness symptoms after dip in Suffolk river
- 8 Container ship that blocked Suez Canal due to arrive in Felixstowe
- 9 Why Ipswich Town's American owners won't be making first visit for Morecambe clash
- 10 The Town players who have improved their stock in pre-season
Ainsley took responsibility, and after despite seeing his spot-kick saved, he swept home the rebound.
Glen Driver’s men were well on top, and after a few near-misses, they doubled their lead in the 37th minute through Muir-Merchant.
Byron Lawrence’s cross was only partially cleared, and the recent signing fired into the bottom corner from 25 yards for his fourth goal in as many games.
Nine minutes later, it was 3-0, Jake Hutchings’ pass finding its way through the Canvey defence, and that man Blake calmly finishing for his 31st goal of the season.
Canvey improved after the break - hitting the woodwork through George Sykes and Martin Tuohy as Leiston had to weather a slight storm, but Lawrence put the result beyond doubt with a brilliantly-taken fourth goal in the 61st minute.
The former Ipswich Town and Colchester United youngster picked the ball up, after a misplaced Canvey pass, in the final third, and did the rest – showing pace in abundance before beautifully rolling into the corner.
Calum Ibe blazed over for Canvey one-on-one and Omar Lawson missed a golden opportunity, but nobody inside Victory Road could begrudge the Blues yet another win as they stay in fourth place.
Interestingly, the Blues have now scored as many league goals this season (72) in 25 games as they did in the whole of 2015-16.
Teams
Leiston: Jacob Marsden, Brown, Hutchings, Ainsley, Bullard (c), Dunbar (Joe Marsden, 71), Heath, Brothers (Cole, 64), Lawrence, Muir-Merchant (Francis, 64) , Blake. Subs not used: Pelling, Jefford.
Canvey Island: Moore, David-Wrightman, Howlett-Mundle, Sheehan (c), Mbamarah, Dumas, Merryfield, Lawson, Chatting (Pitty, 64), Tuohy (Hayden-Smith, 88), Sykes (Ibe,71). Subs not used: Jomandy, Gough.
Referee: Josh Few.
Attendance: 214.
