Match Sponsors - Peter & Jill Douglass
Matchball Sponsor - NuBlast

Venue - LTAA, Victory Road, Leiston, Suffolk, IP16 4DQ
Admission - Adults £10, Concessions (over 65) £7, Under 16's FREE
Matchday Programme - £2

Preview - The Blues kick off their fifth Ryman Premier Division season with a tough opener as favourites Havant & Waterlooville visit Victory Road on Saturday, kick off 3pm. The Hawks were relegated from the National South last season and have been busy in the transfer market as they look for a swift return to step two. But Blues boss Glenn Driver has been busy himself building a competitive squad as he eagerly awaits the big kick off. "If I'm honest I'm more excited than I am nervous (facing Havant & Waterlooville)" said Driver. "Managing Leiston for a second time is a wish that has finally come true and I can't wait to get going." Ipswich based Driver was in the Blues hot seat ten years ago and returns after replacing Richard Wilkins in June after transforming the Blues second string last season. The club has backed their new man who has recruited some excellent signings to bolster the squad in the summer, "I think the business we have done in the transfer market has been very good. I feel the players I have brought in will give us a more attacking approach. We have identified and solved where we needed to strengthen and five of our seven signings are under 24 so we have signed for the future rather than a quick fix. Matty Blake is a proven goal scorer and Nick Eyre is a very good, experienced goal keeper, so all in all I'm very pleased. The club have been fantastic in helping me secure our player targets. I've set many on field targets for the coming season and I'm sure if the players buy into my philosophy of being good when we have the ball but better when we haven't, then I'm sure the targets I have set will be achievable." Leiston finished eighth last season and will be looking to break into the play off places this time around. "Havant & Waterlooville will I'm sure, be a tough test for us" continued Driver "But we will be a good test for them too. We will set out a system to cause them a few problems and we will approach the game full of confidence. We have a few players making their debuts and I'm sure they will be keen to impress. You sometimes need a little luck in football but I will be relying on our qualities both on and off the ball."

Hampshire based Havant & Waterlooville are Managed by ex Portsmouth striker Lee Bradbury and include ex Bournemouth striker James Hayter in their squad. They have also added the prolific striker Jason Prior from Bognor Regis Town, last season's golden boot winner, and also exciting winger Alfie Rutherford also from League rivals Bognor. Leiston go into the game without the unavailable Christy Finch and Joe Francis while Patrick Brothers faces a fitness check.

This will be the first ever meeting between the sides in what promises to be an exciting opening day clash.