- AFC come from behind to earn draw
- Axcell gives hosts a half-time lead
- Brace from Paris Tuwizana, put Leiston ahead
- Mark Ray's late strike earns draw for home
Mark Ray's 83rd minute strike helped AFC Sudbury Reserves come from behind to draw 2-2 at home to Leiston Reserves.
AFC took the lead after 30 minutes, as James Axcell received the ball down the far wing from Gianfranco Mallardo, and chipped the ball over Leiston goalkeeper Ben Vincent.
The Blues were level after 63 minutes, as Lewis Ben set up Paris Tuwizana, who slotted the ball past Avenell, in a one-on-one situation, before he converted a 71st minute penalty to put the visitors ahead.
Rumsey set up Mark Ray, who went around diving goalkeeper Vincent, to secure a draw for the hosts.
The hosts were under the management of caretaker boss David Cannon and coach Craig Power, with Danny Laws away with the first team.
Leiston, in an all red kit, kicked-off the match, and threatened in the opening period, as Toby Kerslake received the ball, and had a shot which was easily collected by home goalkeeper Luke Avenell. At the other end, Stefano Mallardo had a shot for the hosts blocked by Ben Vincent.
In the fourth minute, the ball was sent to Alfie Carroll, who sent a cross into the box from close range, which was tapped away by Leiston’s Anthony Johnston for a corner. The resulting corner was headed away by Johnston.
A minute later, the Yellows thought they had taken the lead, as Gianfranco Mallardo crossed the ball towards Mark Ray and fired past visiting keeper Ben Vincent, but the piece of play was marked offside.
Alex Greggor could have put AFC ahead in the eighth minute, as he saw his close range effort blocked by Vincent. The rebound effort from Stefano Mallardo was claimed by Vincent.
Nuno Nogueira had an effort in the 15th minute to put Leiston ahead, but it was no trouble for AFC’s Luke Avenell. Mark Ray sent the ball towards Jordan Brazitis, who saw his shot saved, at the other end of the pitch.
In the 30th minute, the hosts took the lead, as James Axcell received the ball down the far wing from Gianfranco Mallardo, and chipped the ball over the oncoming Leiston goalkeeper, and into the net from a tight angle.
Two minutes afterwards, the hosts won a free-kick; Alex Greggor sent the ball into the box, and Mike Velzian headed the ball out for a corner, under pressure from AFC. The corner was sent in by Greggor, and headed down by Stefano Mallardo, but was claimed by Leiston skipper and goalkeeper Ben Vincent.
Prior to half time, ‘the Blues’ won a free-kick from outside the box. The ball was delivered goal-bound, and sent Luke Avenell into an excellent diving save.
But in the 44th minute, the hosts won a free kick from just outside the Leiston box. Greggor released Alfie Carroll, who was tripped up by Velzain just inches outside the box. The hosts were appealing for a penalty, but the referee signalled for a free-kick, despite protests from the Sudbury players. The free-kick was excellently struck by Gianfranco Mallardo, who sent Ben Vincent into a brilliant diving save.
The first half was dominated by the hosts, who produced a selection of excellent shots and attacks, and were unlucky not to score more than once.
HALF-TIME: AFC Sudbury Reserves/U21s 1 Leiston FC Reserves 0
Leiston made their only two changes at half-time, as striker Daniel Block and defender Joshua Merritt came on for James Crick and Virgilio Letaio. The hosts made the one change, with Craig Avery coming on for Alfie Carroll.
Leiston came out for the second half looking more threatening, and Paris Tuwizana saw a shot blocked by Ollie Rumsey, with the rebound effort from Tuwizana saved by Avenell, after 48 minutes.
In the 55th minute, Kyran Clements did well to pick up the ball in midfield, and sent a long ball into the box, which was picked up by Mark Ray, but his effort was caught by the Leiston shot-stopper Vincent.
Leiston Substitute Daniel Block saw a shot blocked by Avenell, while James Axcell had an effort curve wide for the hosts.
But moments later (63’), ‘the Blues’ were level, as Lewis Ben made a run and set up Paris Tuwizana, who slotted the ball past Avenell, in a one-on-one situation. Tuwizana could have put his side 2-1 ahead in the 67th minute, but his shot was blocked by Clements.
In the 68th minute, Leiston’s Lewis Ben was booked.
The visitors earned a penalty in the 71st minute, as Nuno Nogueira was brought down in the box. Paris Tuwizana stepped up, and sent Luke Avenell the wrong way, and he thumped the ball in the bottom right of the net, putting Leiston ahead.
Alex Greggor made a run in the 73rd minute, and sent the ball to Joe Chester, who saw his effort go wide.
Ollie Rumsey was booked for the hosts after 80 minutes played.
But in the 82nd minute, Ollie Rumsey delivered the ball to Mark Ray, who went around diving goalkeeper Vincent, and fired the ball home to equalise.
Alex Greggor went off for Josh Sheffield, who came on for the final five minutes.
FULL-TIME: AFC Sudbury Reserves/U21s 2 Leiston FC Reserves 2
The Reserves remain 14th in the Thurlow Nunn First Division table, and are next in action on Saturday 17th, when they travel to Downham Town.
AFC Sudbury Reserves: Luke Avenell; Alfie Carroll (Craig Avery, 45’), Ollie Rumsey (Josh Sheffield, 80’), Gianfranco Mallardo, Kyran Clements; Stephano Mallardo, Jordan Brazitis, Joe Chester; Mark Ray, Alex Greggor, James Axcell (Ross Brazitis, 85’)
Unused Subs: Jack Pidgeon, Louis Johnson
Leiston FC Reserves: Ben Vincent, James Crick (Dan Block, 45’), Lemar Bennett-Grant, Toby Kerslake, Mike Velzain, Anthony Johnston, Nuno Nogueira, Lewis Ben, Paris Tuwizana, Vergillo Letaio (Josh Merritt, 45’), Kieran Nichols
All subs used
Att: 43 | Ref: Mr. G Duffy | MOTM: James Axcell