JAMAR Loza struck his 19th goal of the season as the Blues produced an impressive performance to sink high-flying Stratford Town at the Watson & Hillhouse Stadium.

Loza poked home after good work from Ben Batho in the 44th minute. It was the only goal of the game – a game Leiston fully deserved the three points from.

Indeed, it could and should, have been more than the single goal victory. Chances came and went for Leiston throughout, especially in the second period, as the Blues moved up to eighth place in the Southern League Premier Central division.

For Stratford, the defeat kept them in second place, still four points adrift of leaders Kettering, but now having played two games more.

In front of almost 200 fans on a bitterly cold afternoon, Leiston produced some flowing football, but with it showed good physicality and strength, matching their strong opponents. On opening day Stratford had sent the Suffolk side packing 0-3 in Warwickshire, but it was a very different game this time around.

The Blues welcomed club captain Seb Dunbar and Oliver Yun back into the starting line-up, while Ollie Saunders and Wyatt Hill were missing through injury, Cameron Rayworth was suspended, although George Quantrell was back and on the substitutes bench after missing recent games through illness.

The first attack of the game saw Owen James’ shot blocked on three minutes by Fraser Alexander before great play by Loza in the 7th minute saw the player cross into the box but Kyran Clements couldn’t get on the end of his delivery.

The dangerous Callum Ebanks headed over for the away side on 11 minutes from close range before Rossi Jarvis and Clements set up Loza but Jacob Weaver made a good save to his left. Play was held up for a few minutes as Eddie Jackson went off with concussion halfway through the first half and was replaced by Batho.

Ebanks had another chance to put the visitors ahead but shot well over Billy Johnson's crossbar and James shot over on 36 minutes.

But it was Leiston who took the lead just before the break. Batho did well to win the ball which went through to Loza, who calmly poked home from 12 yards into the bottom corner.

Ben Fowkes did well to deliver into the box but Loza couldn't get good contact, before Fowkes went down injured and was replaced by Quantrell.

Loza and Fatadjo forced decent saves from Weaver early in the second period, before Clements hit Weaver's left-hand post after Ismael Fatadjo's cross was turned towards goal by a Stratford defender.

Leiston were creating the better chances now, but Ebanks hit Johnson's left-hand upright in the 71st minute to keep the home crowd on tenterhooks as the Blues couldn't seem to finish their visitors off.

Fatadjo and Quantrell both had good chances to put the game to bed in the final ten minutes, but they couldn't take them, although in the end it mattered not.

FT: Blues 1 Stratford 0

Blues:- Johnson, Yun (sub Ryan Jarvis 90+6), Dunbar, Rossi Jarvis, Clements, Jackson (sub Batho 25), Fatadjo, Alexander, Fowkes (sub Quantrell 45+5), Armin, Loza (sub Curtis 83). Unused sub: Mehew (gk).
Stratford:- Weaver, Vann (sub Wilson 56), Hawker, McCone, Solanke (sub Salmons 46), Ludford-Ison, Ebanks, Lafferty, Leeson (sub Dapaga 81), James, Williams (sub Storer 59). Sub not used: Clutterbuck (gk).

Man of the match for Blues: Chosen by matchball sponsors Seax Vaporium Ltd: Ollie Yun
Attendance: 172