The Lions booked their place in the Emirates FA Cup first round in style with a comfortable win on the road at Leiston, writes Adam Bridson.

Ian Richards went in to the game hoping to extend his longest run in the world’s most famous domestic competition as a manager and his players did just that.

The game started in a cagey fashion with both sides struggling to create a chance of note.

Ten minutes in Harrison Hopper’s deep free kick found its way to Elliot Owen at the back post but he couldn’t guide his header on target.

Three minutes later Jordan Thewlis was so close to breaking the deadlock but Ollie Brown’s cross was just out of reach for the forward.

With nearly a third of the game gone Brown, who had been causing problems down the right hand side, saw his low shot saved by Callum Robinson for the keeper’s first test.

A minute later Thewlis came close from Charlie Staniland’s cross but his header hit the side netting.

The first goal came 32 minutes in when Hopper’s wicked delivery was powered home by Owen from close range, an unstoppable header from the man mountain centre half.

Five minutes later it was 2-0, Thewlis nipped in and seized on a loose ball to chip Robinson and double our advantage – a trademark finish from our top scorer.

To cap off a crazy nine minute spell Jack Emmett stroked the ball through a myriad of bodies with Robinson stranded he was helpless to stop the midfielder’s first strike of the season.

That marked the last of the first half action with the Lions going in at the interval with a commanding advantage.

Richards’ side didn’t hold back at the start of the interval and nearly had a fourth.

Hopper, who was key to the Lions’ set piece success found Brown but he headed over.

20 minutes in the central midfielder should have had a goal of his own when his free kick went straight in without a touch but the assistant referee spotted an infringement and ruled the goal out. It would have been a well deserved reward for Hopper.

Leiston had struggled to find a way through the Lions’ backline but did force Jack Hall into a good save with Harvey Sayer coming close with a curled shot from range.

23 minutes in to the second half Jude Frostick headed a cross goalwards but Hall was equal to the effort denying the hosts a way back into the contest.

Amir Berchil made his return from injury to start and nearly had a goal to mark the occasion with a low shot that drifted just wide 16 minutes from time.

Four minutes later the Lions denied themselves a fourth goal with a calamitous block! Frankie Sinfield fresh to the action, pressed with pace and stole possession Robinson in the home goal was stranded and beaten but Will Longbottom, who was attempting to get out of the way, blocked his teammates shot to accidentally deny him a first goal for the club.

Hopper forced Robinson into a good save at his hear post from another free kick, the stopper had to be aware to tip the ball over the bar.

With the clock ticking down Richards turned to his bench and introduced Jack Tinker, Paul Iggulden and Noah Wadsworth who came on for his debut following his arrival last week from Buxton.

With eight minutes left Staniland came close with a pacey run but shot wide from a narrowing angle.

The last chance fell to the returning Longbottom on his second appearance of the campaign, the forward made a good run showing his sharpness but his low shot whistled just past the post.

545 were in attendance at the Flannery Stadium with a large travelling contingent making the long trip home happy.

Richards’ men return to league action on Tuesday night at Nethermoor in a 7:45pm kick-off against Cleethorpes Town.

Leiston 0-3 Guiseley | Saturday 17th October 2026 | Flannery Stadium

Attendance: 545

Team: 1. Jack Hall, 2. Lucas Odunston, 3. Ollie Brown (70′ Tinker), 4. Harrison Hopper, 5. Elliot Owen, 6. Lebrun Mbeka (C), 7. Jack Emmett (86′ Iggulden), 8. Charlie Staniland, 9. Kallan Murphy (74′ Longbottom), 10. Amir Berchil (81′ Wadsworth) and 11. Jordan Thewlis (65′ Sinfield).

Subs: 12. Paul Iggulden, 13. Michael Roxburgh (GK), 14. Jack Tinker, 15. Noah Wadsworth, 16. Frankie Sinfield and 17. Will Longbottom.