BLUES v BRANTHAM ATHLETIC - MATCH PREVIEW

Match Information
Turners Hyundai Suffolk Premier Cup 2nd Round
Blues v Brantham Athletic
Tuesday 15th February
Kick Off 7.45pm
Watson & Hillhouse Victory Road Stadium, LTAA, Leiston, Suffolk, IP16 4DQ
Tel: - 01728 830308.

Admission Charges
Adults - £11
Concessions - £8
Students (with ID) - £6
Under 16’s - £2.

Car Parking (Free of charge)
Main Car Park.

Catering Information - Large bars, internal and external catering facilities with hot and cold food available.

MATCH SPONSORS: - Fishers Gin.

The Blues play their first match in the Turbers Hyundai Suffolk Premier Cup tomorrow for the first time in 23 months when they host Brantham Athletic. Leiston last played in the in the competition in March 2020 at the quarter-final stage, losing 1-0 at home to Needham Market.

The Premier Cup has been won by the Blues before in 2018 and 2019. In 2018, just under a week after Leiston lost 1-0 to Dulwich Hamlet in the semi-finals of the play-offs, two Christy Finch goals and a Jake Reed strike saw off Bury Town, who were reduced to ten men on the stroke of half time. In 2019, a Matt Blake hat-trick helped the side to a 3-2 victory against Felixstowe & Walton United. The Seasiders made a mate comeback after being three goals down but Leiston held on to win the Cup for the second season on the bounce.

Leiston lost in the semi-finals four years in a row between 2012 and 2015, three times in a row to Bury Town. (1-1 AET in 2012 at Bloomfield’s, losing 4-2 on penalties. Luke Hammond with the goal. 2-1 in 2013 at Bloomfield’s, Rhys Henry on target. In 2014, the Blues lost 2-1 at AFC Sudbury to Bury Town with Craig Parker netting a consolation).

The Blues last played Brantham Athletic in the Suffolk Premier Cup in October 2016, winning 5-1, that included a Joe Jefford header within a minute of the match just three days after Leiston lost 2-1 to Westfields in the 4th Round Qualifying of the FA Cup.

Brantham are 18th in the Thurlow Nunn Premier currently and are third from bottom in the division. From 28 games, they have won 6, drawn 5 and lost 17.

After tomorrow night, Leiston welcome Tamworth on Saturday before hosting Bromsgrove Sporting next Tuesday.

Other 2nd Round matches tonight: -

AFC Sudbury v Mildenhall Town
Bury Town v Felixstowe & Walton United
Hadleigh United v Lakenheath
Haverhill Rovers v Woodbridge Town
Kirkley & Pakefield v Long Melford
LEISTON v BRANTHAM ATHLETIC
Stowmarket Town v Ipswich Town XI

Wednesday 16th March: -

Needham Market v Walsham Le Willows.