Match Preview

BLUES v LEAMINGTON - MATCH PREVIEW

Match Information
Leiston v Leamington
Pitching In Southern League Central Premier
3pm kick off
Watson & Hillhouse Stadium, Victory Road, Leiston, IP16 4DQ
Tel: - 01728 832578.

Admission Prices
Adults £12
Concessions £9 (over 65’s)
Students (with ID) £7
U16’s £3
U5’s FREE

Printed Programme for £2.

Members Bar and Main Hall (Bar) both open from midday.

Refreshments available throughout the day with the snack hatch also open near the club shop.

Car Parking in the main club.

Match Sponsor: - Suffolk Truck Sales Ltd.

Match Ball Sponsor: - Mr Tim Hudson.

Game 39/40.

The Blues host Leamington in their final home game of the season today, in what will be a first ever meeting in Suffolk.

Leamington are 4th and will know two wins from their last two games will see them into a play-off spot.

In November, Leiston drew 1-1 at Leamington with Chris Casement levelling for Leiston at the end of the first half from a free kick.

Results in midweek means Leiston can finish no worse than 14th now, while they could also finish in 9th place of results went their way.

The Blues have finished in the top nine at Step 3 on seven occasions before. After coming 12th in their first season at Step 3 in the Ryman Premier, Leiston then recorded finishes of 9th, 9th, 8th, 7th and 5th before finishing 19th twice (the second time was when the season was curtailed due to COVID). After only 8 league games were played in Chris Wigger’s and Darren Eadie’s first season in charge (when Leiston were second from bottom before again the season was scrapped due to COVID), the Blues finished 7th and 3rd in the last two season.

FORM GUIDE: -

BLUES: - LDWLW

LEAMINGTON: - WDLWW.

Blues defender Eddie Jackson, who is out injured today but hopes to be back next weekend for the final game at Long Eaton United, said yesterday: -

“I’ve really enjoyed my time at Leiston this season. Living in Reading while doing a full-time degree hasn’t been easy, just like many of the lads who work full-time. But playing week-in-week out for Leiston and everyone involved in the club is something that I want to do again next season and hopefully bring them some collective success to go along with it. I think individually I’ve had many solid and strong games but it’s all about the team, collectively we want trophies and to fight for promotion, so that’s something I’ll be thinking about in the summer for next season, making sure I’m in the best shape and mindset to hit the ground running. Before I joined Leiston I knew how big of a club they were, being very well respected in Norfolk and Suffolk so to get the chance to play for all the hard-working individuals and fans behind the scenes is something I appreciate and that’s why you get the same from me week-in-week out.”

On discussing the player’s favourite moments of the season, Eddie went on to say: -

“There’s three for me, the 3-2 win against Stamford at home, with Chris Casement’s free kick in the last minute, absolute limbs and was so happy for Chris. And the 3-2 win against Barwell, where I had a very good game and scored a great goal as well which doesn’t often happen. Telford away in 0-0 draw,when didn’t get the win but the team had a really great game together, the back line was so solid and was a great experience in their stadium as well.”

It will be your last chance to vote for your player of the season today. We are also joined this afternoon by Alan Arber and his team from the Offside Trust. We hope they enjoy their day with us.

Games in the Pitching In Southern League Central Premier today: -

AFC Sudbury v Long Eaton United
AFC Telford United v Berkhamsted
Barwell v Redditch United
Halesowen Town v St Ives Town
Kettering Town v Coalville Town
LEISTON v LEAMINGTON
Needham Market v Mickleover
Stamford v Hitchin Town
Stourbridge v Royston Town
Stratford Town v Bromsgrove Sporting.

Meanwhile, the U23’s head to Norwich CBS in their final away game of the season. The side have slipped into the bottom three but have three games left, including today.

Norwich CBS are in 15th place and Leiston defeated the Norfolk club 5-0 last month. Goals from Mackenzie Travis, Joe McNeil, Charlie Atkin, Cameron Rayworth and Josh Yaxley saw the side to a good win.

The U23’s host Haverhill Rovers on Tuesday night before entertaining FC Parson Drove for their final game next Saturday.

Elsewhere in the division today, Great Yarmouth Town can win the league if they beat Whitton United in Ipswich.

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

Diss Town v Cornard United
Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers v Wivenhoe Town
Framlingham Town v AFC Sudbury Reserves
Harwich & Parkeston v FC Parson Drove
Haverhill Borough v Whittlesey Athletic
NORWICH CBS v LEISTON U23’s
Stanway Pegasus v Holbeach United
Swaffham Town v Holland
Whitton United v Great Yarmouth Town.