Match Preview

BLUES v HORNCHURCH - MATCH PREVIEW

Match Information
Leiston v Hornchurch
Isuzu FA Trophy 3rd Round Qualifying
3pm kick off
Watson & Hillhouse Stadium, Victory Road, Leiston, IP16 4DQ
Tel: - 01728 830308.

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, with the club showing Luton v Tottenham Hotspur on BT Sport.

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

Car Parking in the main club.

Match Ball Sponsor: -

Mr Ron Baldry and Mr John Staff.

The Blues host Hornchurch in both sides first game in the Isuzu FA Trophy this weekend (3pm kick off) in 3rd Round Qualifying action.

Leiston reached the 4th Round (Last 32) last campaign, beating Evesham United (1-0, H), Wroxham (2-1, H), Alvechurch (4-3, H) and Folkestone Invicta (1-1, A, won 4-1 on pens).

Hornchurch won the FA Trophy in 2021, with the latter rounds playing behind closed doors, including the final at Wembley Stadium. Hornchurch won 3-1 in the final against Hereford, coming from a goal day to score three goals in the last fifteen minutes to claim their first FA Trophy title. They also beat Darlington away from home in the quarter-finals 2-1 and defeated Notts County on penalties in the semi-final.

This season, Hornchurch are top of the Isthmian Premier Division, taking 20 points for their first 8 league fixtures. They are lost their first game of the campaign in all competitions on Tuesday night, losing 2-1 to Aveley in an Emirates FA Cup Third Round Qualifying Replay, in front of a crowd of 729 at their home ground. Sam Higgins put Hornchurch ahead just after the half hour mark but Charlie Hughes levelled on 85 minutes to send the tie to extra time. On 114 minutes, Aveley got a winner through Matt Rush to progress to the next round to play Barnet.

Leiston won 4-0 against Hornchurch in August 2014, with Gareth Heath (2), Stuart Boardley and Cliff Akurang all on target.

The Blues line up that night was: - Danny Gay, Scott Mitchell (Blake Saker 25 mins), Stuart Boardley, Adam Tann, Tom Bullard, Joe Jefford, Tom Winter (Cliff Akurang 71 mins), Gareth Heath, Leon Ottley-Gooch (Michael Brothers 85 mins), Scott Parker, Joe Francis. Subs not used: Patrick Brothers and Alex Rossis.

In the reverse fixture in February 2015, Hornchurch won 4-2 with Leon Ottley-Gooch and Rhys Henry on target. Hornchurch were relegated that season, finishing 23rd (out of 24 sides), with Leiston ending up a respectable 9th place.

The Blues have a week off next Saturday, before heading to Lowestoft Town in the Suffolk Premier Cup on Tuesday 17th October. Leiston are away to Alvechurch on Saturday 21st October before hosting Kettering Town on the Tuesday night and end the month at Hitchin Town.

The winners of this weekend’s tie will receive £2,450 with the losers getting £625. If the match finishes level after 90 minutes, the game will be decided on penalty kicks.

Ties involving Suffolk sides this weekend in the Isuzu FA Trophy: -

Hendon v AFC Sudbury
LEISTON v HORNCHURCH
Needham Market v Cray Wanderers
Lewes v Lowestoft Town
Wingate & Finchley v Bury Town
Billericay Town v Felixstowe & Walton United.