There was a late burst of summer as Leiston visited Kings Langley in the second Qualifying Round of the F A Cup and the crowd was treated to a battle that had its fair share of drama and passion but ended in a stalemate and notice of a replay on the east coast three days hence.

With Arel Amu cup-tied, Kyle Connolly returned and the versatile Jack Wood occupied the number nine shirt in Kings’ only change from midweek and the game kicked off at a lively pace. The first major incident came in the twelfth minute when Seb Dunbar clashed with Gary Connolly in a blatant off the ball incident that was apparently unseen by the referee and his assistant, although the Leiston skipper was awarded a yellow! Leiston’s George Quantrell tested Liam Studley with a long shot, but Gary Connolly was to be involved in the next incident of note, when he collided at speed with the perimeter fencing and took no further part in the game after nearly ten minutes of attention by worried physios.

It was another blow for the injury-hit Hertfordshire side, but they delivered the perfect response when sibling Kyle Connolly finished an impressive move to give Kings the lead six minutes after the restart. Lois-Michel Yamfam began the move with an interception and surging run past two defenders before delivering a right wing pass to Jack Wood. His cross was met perfectly by the head of Leo Farruch, was blocked by the keeper and fell to Kyle Connolly, whose shot was of sufficient power and accuracy to prove unstoppable.

Roddy Collins had a chance to double the lead soon after, but his header was just wide and that came back to haunt Kings when a fifty-fifty ball rebounded in the visitors’ favour and the square pass and audacious lob by Finlay Barnes eluded Liam Studley. Harry Crawford joined the fray for the second half and the imposing figure of Adam Bailey-Dennis at the heart of the visiting defence found him a different challenge to the
previous teenage attacking force.

It was a contest that was to typify an increasingly feisty second half and was to result in bookings for both of them in separate incidents. As both sides battled for the vital breakthrough goal, Alfie Williams came close with a low shot just past the post and Roddy Collins fired just over, while Liam Studley was equal to efforts by Quantrell and Will Davies.

The last home throw of the dice was a goalbound shot by Harry Crawford deflected inches wide, but the hero of the last round was unable to replicate his rescue act on this occasion and Part 2 now beckons.