Kings exited this year’s FA Cup after their replayed tie finished in a 3-1 reverse at Leiston. The match was a hard fought affair that saw both Jorell Johnson and Kyle Connolly sent off late on.

Yet, it all started so well for Kings when, under pressure from Harry Crawford, Leiston’s Adam Bailey- Dennis lobbed the ball past the stranded keeper Sam Donkin to give the visitors a dream start. Indeed Kings almost doubled their advantage twice in rapid succession as first skipper Roddy Collins flicked the ball just wide after a neat exchange with Yasin Arai and then Donkin denied Jack Wood by clawing away his top
corner drive.

Leiston came back strongly and only a fine double save from Liam Studley denied the hosts parity. However, it was only to be a brief reprieve, as on 22 minutes Kings’ custodian Liam Studley went full length to keep out a searing Barnes drive only for Jamie Eaton–Collins to be first to the rebound to stab home the equaliser.

Despite the setback Kings continued to push forward with neat interchanges and were only thwarted with some robust challenges which earned the home side two bookings before the half ended without addition to the score. Within a minute of the restart Kings were forced to substitute the effective Harry Crawford through injury for Will Hoskins. The experienced striker was quickly pivotal in some promising attacks.

In the main, though, both defences were quick to smother any threat of danger. As both teams battled to gain the initiative there was the feeling that something out of the ordinary would be needed to break the deadlock. So it was, when in the 70th minute a speculative long shot from Joe Marsden looked like a routine save for Liam Studley until a deceptive swerve saw the ball slip through the keeper’s fingers to put Leiston ahead for the first time.

It was tough on the teenage keeper, who has turned in some outstanding performances since taking on the mantle of Kings’ sole custodian but such is the capricious life as a goalkeeper. Kings’ woes were intensified just minutes later when an ill-timed challenge attracted a second yellow for Kyle Connolly and the end of his involvement. Despite this blow Kings continued to strive for an equaliser but were undone again in the 88th minute when the ball ricocheted around the six yard box until finally touched home by Finlay Barnes to effectively wrap the game up.

Kings’ misery was complete when in the final seconds of the match Jorell Johnson received a straight red for the type of transgression that earlier in the proceedings had been met with distinctly more tolerance by the referee.