BLUES striker, Ben Fowkes knows his team are in for a stiff test when high-flying AFC Telford visit the Watson & Hillhouse Stadium on Saturday, 3pm kick-off.

The Shropshire-based side, currently third in the Southern League Premier Central division, make the long trip to Suffolk this weekend looking to put pressure on the top two, Kettering and Halesowen, while Leiston will look to move closer, or even into, the play-off places. The Blues are currently 10th and two points off the top five.

“It’s a really big test against big opposition,” Fowkes, who scored his sixth goal of the season in Tuesday night’s Suffolk Premier Cup victory over Lowestoft, said.

“It should be a great game and one we’re looking forward to. We want to be in and around the play-offs of course. With the league being so tight there is no reason we can’t be in that position and be aiming for that.”

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Leiston were on an eight-match unbeaten run going into last weekend’s game at leaders Kettering. That run ended after a late Kettering goal saw the home team run out 2-1 winners. It was a game Fowkes felt the Blues deserved more from.

“We’ve been on a good run, and I think we all knew a good run was coming, we just needed it to click and thankfully it has,” he said.

“You look at the one game we have lost in the last 10 now (away at Kettering last week), there were long spells of that game we dominated. We just didn’t get the rub of the green.”

Fowkes re-joined the Blues in the summer, signing a two-year deal. He had previously been with the Victory Road club during the 2022/23 season, scoring 20 goals in 40 appearances. It was a return he was glad he made.

“I’m enjoying Leiston and happy to help the team with my work rate and application,” he said. “With that comes goals and assists. I love how the fans support you and care. It’s a great club to be part of.

“The fans play a big part. They are massive. It’s great when they can make the noise and cheer us on. Something we need and want.”