It's a Damaging Monday Night for Leiston & Kings Langley

Leiston’s title hopes in the Pitching In Southern League Premier Division Central took a blow when they were beaten 2-1 at Redditch United on Monday evening.

Darren Eadie and Chris Wigger’s side, playing one of their games in hand on leaders Tamworth, could have cut the deficit at the top to just four points – and still have played two games fewer than the Lambs.

Redditch lost 1-0 to another promotion contender, Coalville Town, also at the Trico Stadium at the weekend and although Matt Clarke’s side are probably too far adrift to challenge for a play-off place, their improvement has been significant since last season.

The Suffolk visitors were hoping to re-find their scoring boots as they had shared goalless draws in their previous two games.

But Leiston could hardly have got off to a worst start as they fell behind after less than 5 minutes when Riley O’Sullivan’s initial effort was saved by visiting keeper Sam Donkin, only for Bernard Mensah to be on hand to tap in the loose ball.

And, after Leiston had got themselves back into the game, Redditch doubled their advantage in the 38th minute when Ryan Wollacott beat Donkin with a cracking effort from the edge of the box.

A lot for the visitors to do then in the second half if they are to get into the game.

And 8 minutes after the restart, they had a great chance to reduce the deficit when a cross was met by Will Davies, who fired over inside the six-yard box.

Donkin saved well from McDonald in the 70th minute, but seconds later, Redditch scored a third when Danny King finished off a good move.

Leiston did manage a consolation with 2 minutes of normal time remaining when Davies set up Ben Fowkes to beat Reds` keeper Adam Harrison.

Monday’s other game saw mid-table Stourbridge welcome a Kings Langley side sitting 18th in the table at kick-off, three points in front of Bedford Town.

In front of a crowd of 328 at the War Memorial Athletic Ground – the Glassboys` lowest league crowd of the season – the hosts were looking to extend their unbeaten run to five matches, whilst Kings were hoping to follow up Saturday’s 1-0 win at home against Royston Town with another positive result.

The Glassboys started well and Jaiden White forced Kings` keeper Jack Berman into a good save in the 13th minute and 6 minutes later, Berman thwarted White again, this time with a fine reflex save from the Stafford Rangers loanee.

It was slightly against the run of play when the visitors took a 36th minute lead when some indifferent defending allowed Liam Sole to beat Charlie Price in the Stourbridge goal.

The home side were given a way back into the game just past the hour-mark when they were awarded a penalty which Obinna Anaebonam duly converted.

It got worse for the visitors when they had Alex Lafleur shown a red card for what seemed to be dissent.

And the Glassboys punished the ten-men just 6 minutes later when Jason Cowley headed them in front.

Kings Langley were reduced to nine-men in the 68th minute when Kennedy Feyi was shown a red card for an alleged punch on Cowley.

The game fizzled out after that but it was a damaging night for Kings Langley, who will now have two first team regulars suspended.