Leiston Maintain Title Challenge

Leiston moved to within three points of Pitching In Southern League Premier Division Central leaders Tamworth after winning by the odd goal in five against Barwell at the UK Flooring Direct Stadium on a chilly Monday evening.

But it was the Leicestershire hosts, who beat Royston Town on Saturday, who came out of the traps quickest and took an early 3rd-minute lead when Dominic Brown-Hill fed Beck-Ray Enoru to beat Sam Donkin in the Leiston goal.

Leiston quickly levelled just 6 minutes later when Will Davies capitalised on a mistake by Canaries` goalkeeper Andy Wycherley, who kicked the ball straight at him.

Brady Hickey had a couple of half chances to put Barwell in front, but it was the visitors who would take a lead into the break when Ben Fowkes was put through by Rossi Jarvis and he fired the ball past Wycherley.

Leiston made it 3-1 with just 9 minutes of the second half played when a long kick out by Donkin was picked up by Fowkes who curled the ball past Wycherley.

Darren Eadie and Chris Wigger’s side threatened to take the game completely away from Barwell with Adam Bailey-Dennis` header being cleared off the line, Enoru firing wide when well-placed and Wycherley saving well from Bailey-Dennis.

Then, with 6 minutes remaining, Barwell put some pressure on the visitors` goal and they made sure it was going to be a nervy finale when Enoru netted from close range to make it 2-3.

But Leiston held on to record a first-ever win at Barwell and maintain their title challenge – they have two games in hand on Tamworth.