The Blues struck seven in a 7-2 victory at the Watson & Hillhouse Stadium, to push them not just ever closer to the Southern League Premier Division play-off places but boosting their goal difference into the bargain.

Striker, Jamar Loza led the way with a hat-trick, while George Quantrell netted twice. Ben Fowkes and Kyran Clements added the other two goals as Chris Wigger’s team sent the majority of the near 500 crowd home happy.

The Blues moved up to eighth in the table, while for the Trawlerboys it was an afternoon to forget, despite starting the game well and netting twice through Joe Duffy and Samuel Aldous. Lowestoft have dropped into the relegation places.

Billy Johnson was back in the Blues goal after suspension, while there was delight for Blues fans to see Seb Dunbar on the substitute’s bench after a long injury lay-off.

Johnson turned away a cross from Harvey Sayer after a minute before the Blues keeper came out to collect a through ball from the same player.

Rob Eagle’s ball split the Blues defence but the offside flag was raised. This gave Leiston the chance to go up field, with Kyran Clements not connecting on the end of a cross and Jamar Loza forced Ronnie Yeo into a good save to his left.

Chances were then few and far between for a few minutes. Quantrell was off target with a shot while Yeo punched away a Fraser Alexander corner.

On 30 minutes, Alexander’s corner was pushed away, before Quantrell released Fowkes, but he could only shoot straight at Ronnie Yeo in the visitors’ goal.

Quantrell headed over the bar as Leiston began to get a grip on the game and in the 37th minute the home side took the lead. Quantrell, who was getting involved in much of the home play, saw his shot deflect in after good work by Fowkes. Quantrell hit the bar before the half finished with a goal glut.

Loza made it 2-0 after a good dribble and shot into Yeo’s right-hand corner, but from the restart Duffy pulled a goal back for the visitors.

There was still time for another goal in a breathless finale at the end of the half. Quantrell’s ball wasn’t cleared and Loza was on hand to fire home as Leiston went in 3-1 ahead at the break.

Leiston began well second half but it was the visitors who had the first chance when Joao Soares Rangel shot at an angle on the edge of the box and Johnson was down well to his right to push the ball away.

Good work by Loza saw him get the ball to Fowkes and he made no mistake to put the home side 4-1 up in the 52nd-minute and Loza had a goal flagged for offside minutes later.

Clements headed home Ollie Saunders’ cross in the 64th minute as Leiston went nap at 5-1, before Aldous pulled another back for the visitors, who continued not to give in, with 18 minutes left.

Quantrell smashed home into an empty net after Yeo parried Saunders’ cross in the 79th-minute and there was still time for one more, Loza cutting inside to fire home to complete his hat-trick and complete a perfect Boxing Day for Leiston fans.

FT: - Blues 7-2 Lowestoft Town.

The Blues now head to Harborough Town on Saturday for their next game in the league.

Line-ups: -
Blues: - Johnson, Rayworth (sub Batho 70 mins), Saunders, Rossi Jarvis (sub Armin 60 mins), Clements, Hill (sub Curtis 70 mins) Fatadjo, Alexander (sub Dunbar 75 mins), Fowkes, Quantrell, Loza. Sub not used: - Ryan Jarvis.
Lowestoft Town: - Yeo, Norman, Eagle (sub Overton 71 mins), Blogg (sub Honeywood 34 mins), Ruffles, Barbrook, Haddoch, Murphy, Duffy, (sub Atkinson 84 mins), Sayer, Rangel (sub Aldous 61 mins), Sub not used: - Blair (GK).

Man-of-the-match, selected by match sponsor Rubyrooster Ltd: Jamar Loza
Attendance: 434