Match Preview

Leiston head to Shropshire tomorrow afternoon

AFC TELFORD v BLUES MATCH PREVIEW

Match Information
AFC Telford United v Leiston
Pitching In Southern League Central Premier
3pm kick off
New Bucks Head Stadium, Watling Street, Wellington, Telford, TF1 2TU
Tel: - 01952 640064.

Admission Prices
Adults £13
Concessions £10 (over 65’s)
17-18 year olds - £6
12-16 year olds - £3
U12’s - FREE (when accompanied by an adult or concession).

Game 23/42.

The Blues head to AFC Telford United tomorrow afternoon for a first ever league game in Shropshire. AFC Telford are on a run of 13 league games unbeaten currently, and have pushed into the play-offs as a result of their fine form.

AFC Telford were beaten 2-1 by Leiston in the second league game of the campaign, with Leiston netting goals from Spencer Keller and Joe Marsden. The away side pulled a late goal back but the Blues held out. That game saw Spencer Keller come off moments after he put Leiston ahead in the first period, an injury that will unfortunately keep him out for the rest of the season.

Leiston’s 5-0 loss at St Ives Town last weekend means that the Blues sit in 16th place, seven points above the drop zone with a game in hand over 19th placed Kettering Town. After tomorrow’s game with Telford, Leiston host Halesowen Town, AFC Sudbury and Long Eaton in the league in the space of ten days to see out January.

Blues defender Adam Bailey-Dennis starts his three game match ban tomorrow after being sent off against Royston Town on New Years Day, while 19 year old Michael Lavin, comes into the squad after signing on loan from Ipswich Town.

Leiston’s trip to Telford tomorrow is one of the longest of the season. AFC Telford were formed in 2004 after the original Telford United, who were formed in 1872, folded due to financial problems.
They are a National League side in 2015 but were relegated at the end of the season. Eight seasons in the National North saw the side to a best finish in the 8 seasons of 8th place before being relegated last season back to Step 3 football.

FUN FACTS: -

Most appearances: - 367 by Ryan Young

Most Goals: - 56 by Andy Brown

Best FA Cup run: - 2014-2015, reaching the Second Round

Best FA Trophy run: - Semi-finals 2008-09 and 2018-19.

FORM GUIDE: -

AFC TELFORD UNITED: - WDWWD

LEISTON: - LLWWD.

Games in the Pitching In Southern League Central Premier this weekend: -

AFC Sudbury v Alvechurch
AFC TELFORD UNITED v LEISTON
Berkhamsted v Mickleover
Bromsgrove Sporting v Royston Town
Halesowen Town v Needham Market
Hitchin Town v Long Eaton
St Ives Town v Nuneaton Borough
Stamford v Redditch United
Stourbridge v Kettering Town
Stratford Town v Barwell

Leiston U23’s host Whitton United back at HQ’s. The U23’s got a valuable point last week against Whittlesey Athletic, drawing 1-1 after Charlie Atkin’s goal in the second half levelled up the scores. Whitton are bottom of the table at present but have games in hand on the U23’s. A win tomorrow could help the team come out the relegation places. It will be the last time the side plays for two weeks, with the U23’s heading to Swaffham Town on the 27th of the month. The team then will host Haughley United on the first Saturday in February in the Suffolk Senior Cup quarter-finals.

Games in the Thurlow Nunn First Division North this weekend: -

Cornard United v Holland
Diss Town v FC Parson Drove
FC Peterborough v Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers
Great Yarmouth Town v AFC Sudbury Reserves
Haverhill Rovers v Holbeach United
LEISTON U23’s v WHITTON UNITED
Needham Market U23’s v Norwich CBS
Swaffham Town v Harwich & Parkeston
Whittlesey Athletic v Framlingham Town
Wivenhoe Town v Haverhill Borough.