Leiston Updates

[DJ]

Southern League Premier Central – Saturday, 7th September 2024

Halesowen Town 1 Leiston 1

Halesowen had to settle for just a point after Leiston substitute Kyran Clements snatched a late draw at the end of an exciting second half, writes DJ.

Yeltz manager Russ Penn had mixed feelings. “I’m slightly frustrated but also content with a good reaction after last week. I’m semi-pleased with all the chances created but disappointed we didn’t win the game.”

In early exchanges, George Quantrell’s 25 yard shot was turned around the post by Halesowen goalkeeper Dan Platt for a 2nd minute corner and at the other end McKauley Manning hit a 20 yard shot at Leiston goalkeeper William Johnson. Kieren Donnelly struck a weak shot at Johnson from Manning’s 8th minute break and Manning then set up Josh Smile to blaze over the bar two minutes later.

Halesowen’s Enock Lusiama - on his full debut - robbed his defender on the left wing after 30 minutes and advanced to bring a save by Johnson’s legs from the tight angle. The Yeltz then defended two corners and a 39th minute curling effort from Jamar Loza was tipped over the bar for a corner by Platt.

At the start of the second half Manning’s 30 yard free-kick was tipped past the post by goalkeeper Johnson. Halesowen took a 48th minute lead from the resulting corner as Johnson could only punch clear for LUSIAMA to score his first Yeltz goal with an overhead kick through a crowded goalmouth.

Halesowen then had the first of four great chances to increase their lead just two minutes later when Donnelly was put clean through but failed to beat Johnson, who made a great save and also collected the rebound from Donnelly’s header.

Manning struck the Leiston upright at the end of a lightning 67th minute break started when Lusiama found Tee. Johnson made another 71st minute brilliant save to deny substitute Finley Holmes in front of goal after fellow substitute Ryan Boothe did well to cross.

The Yeltz paid the price for the missed chances with Leiston’s 84th minute sucker punch as substitute Ismael Botelho-Fatadjo worked free down the left and crossed for substitute Kyran CLEMENTS to nod home in front of goal. The visitors went close again when Fatadjo fired into the side-netting from Loza’s ball.

In late home pressure, Boothe struck the post in the 87th minute and his placed injury time shot from substitute Todd Parker’s free-kick was then turned away for a corner.

Halesowen Town: Dan Platt; Jak Hickman (Ben Cassidy 80), Reece Mitchell, Nat Kelly, Ryan Wynter (c), Ryan Wollacott, Josh Smile, Conor Tee (Todd Parker 76), Enock Lusiama Lokeba (Ryan Boothe 69), Kieren Donnelly (Finley Holmes 69), McKauley Manning. Sub Not Used: Lewis Solly.

Leiston: William Johnson; Wyatt Hill (c), Oliver Yun, Fraser Alexander, Eddie Jackson, Jack Manley (Ismael Botelho-Fatadjo 58), Oliver Saunders (Sebastian Dunbar 76), Ben Fowkes, George Quantrell, Jamar Loza, Ryan Jarvis (Kyran Clements 76). Sub Not Used: Benjamin Batho.

Referee: Lewis Mountain Attendance: 1,203
Booked: Donnelly (52), Loza (52), Lusiama (65), Manning (78), Mitchell (90)
Halesowen Town Man of the Match: Ryan Wynter
Non-League Paper Man of the Match: William Johnson (Leiston)

[Tranter78]

It wasn’t that bad another day we could of won handsomely (not sarcasm by the way)

[Brightgoldenhaze]

It wasn’t that bad another day we could of won handsomely (not sarcasm by the way)

I can't believe we didn't win that. We.missed loads of chances and, again, got caught out with a sucker punch of an equaliser.

[Scribbler]

Probably a fair result overall, with both keepers making good saves… but it’s becoming a trend over the last few games for us to take a 1-0 lead and then to make substitutions and sit back, invite them on to attack us….and inevitably they score….. then for the last ten minutes we rally around and start attacking them again with great intensity and create a handful of great chances!!! Why can’t we play with that intensity from the off, especially at home…. and the mindset of trying to defend a 1-0 lead just doesn’t work… and that trend needs to be bucked, ASAP….

[Dazzie76]

2 points dropped there
You could see an equaliser coming a mile off thankfully the 2nd half was a lot more exciting than a very boring 1st half where to many long balls in the air again led straight back to them and we couldn't win any second balls either. 2nd half we created several chances and should of put the game to bed. Our back line have got to start getting out quicker when we clear the ball away to press up the pitch. Is it me or do we play like we are the away side at times. Good to see the new Lad get a goal and showed a few decent touches also made some good runs off the ball that wasn't picked out by us be interesting when he gets a few games under his belt to show us his full potential. A tough test on Tuesday to come.

[Scribbler]

Totally agree about the new striker….showed some fight and good performance all round, can only improve with a few games, scored a good goal and linked up well at times….needs to be given a chance…. Well done…

[Rich]

First half was a real non event and the atmosphere was really strange in the crowd which I thought was an excellent number. I was expecting 6-700 to be fair.
Enoch looked a good prospect and won a few headers first half but no-one close to him to take advantage.

Second half we looked much sharper and a great goal and celebration. Enoch really to seemed more confident after the goal and I would liked to see him stay on with Holmes for a while. Feel they could be a good combination.

As has been said our lack of ambition gave them the incentive they needed and a really sloppy goal given away just after the sub in that position I think led to the space for the cross.
Could still have nicked it with the last 10 min display but was not to be. Parker's work rate certainly helped push us forward. Dont really understand dropping him to the bench
One positive was I thought back 3 are playing better together, looked solid today
MOM (again) Wynter who I thought was outstanding
Only consolation 10 Fantasy Island points.

[lutleyyeltz]

Just as an aside, I am reliably informed that yesterday marked Dan Platt's 300th appearance for us.
Many congrats, Dan.
He's now aiming for the record which I, once again, am reliably informed is 335.

[andy]

Just as an aside, I am reliably informed that yesterday marked Dan Platt's 300th appearance for us.
Many congrats, Dan.
He's now aiming for the record which I, once again, am reliably informed is 335.

Is that the goalkeeper record I take it?

[andy]

I thought we did alright to be fair. Glad I made it from Pisa to the Grove in 4 and a half hours flat! Their keeper pulled of some great saves to keep them in it and they possibly deserved a share of the spoils by the end. It's a shame we sat back a bit once leading because once again the last 10 minutes show we can really put teams under the cosh. A slight change of approach when in front, maybe a little more risk taking, I feel will produce more rewards than failures. Anyhow, still a decent point, now on to a tricky away tie.