OVERVIEW

The Blues head to AFC Sudbury this weekend in Isuzu FA Trophy action as they play the ‘Suds’ twice in the space of four days, writes Craig Cooper.

Leiston’s 3-1 home win against AFC Sudbury on Tuesday lifted Chris Wigger’s team up three places into 6th place while Sudbury remain 21st in the league table.

Ben Fowkes’ 10th minute goal saw Leiston take an early lead while second half strikes from Jack Manly and Joao Rangel put the Blues in control. Sudbury pulled a goal back via Kaidom Tower-King.

Kyle Callan-McFadden went off as a precaution ten minutes into the second period while Adam Mills rested his ankle, but both are expected to be fit for the tie. Ryan Jarvis could also come back into contention after helping managing the team on Tuesday night as manager Chris Wigger was absent due to illness.

If Saturday’s game ends level after 90 minutes, the tie will go straight to penalties. The winning team will received £3,000 while the losing team picks up £775.

BLUES TROPHY HISTORY

THIS will be Leiston’s 42nd game in the FA Trophy and 43rd tie overall, one of these being a bye. Up to this point Leiston have scored 73 goals in the FA Trophy but conceded 76 times.

This is the seventh time they have reached round one of the competition. They first got there in 2014 when they went out to National League South side Bromley. Leiston last reached round one two seasons ago, after beating Hornchurch on spot kicks. They went on to win 1-0 at Potters Bar Town but went out in the next round when they lost 4-1 at home to Peterborough Sports.

This is the first time that AFC Sudbury and Leiston have met in the FA Trophy.

AFC SUDBURY FACTS

GARY Bennett is the club’s highest-ever scorer with 172 goals while Sam Clarke has made the most appearances, with 387. Their highest attendance is 2,000, against Colchester United FC in 2021 in the FA Cup first round.

The club have played on a 3G home pitch since the beginning of the 2015/2016 season.

The club badge is the town crest of Sudbury, which incorporates a talbot dog with its tongue sticking out. This was augmented with a banner containing the club's name in early 2018.

FORM GUIDE:

(League games only, starting with the most recent)

BLUES: W D D D W
AFC SUDBURY: L D L W L

BLUES IN NOVEMBER

Saturday 1st Nov: Bromsgrove Sporting (Away)
Saturday 8th Nov: Worcester City (Away)
Saturday 15th Nov: Stamford (Home)
Saturday 18th Nov: Bishop’s Stortford (Home)
Saturday 22nd Nov: Stratford Town (Away)
Monday 24th Nov: St Ives Town (Away)
Saturday 29th Nov: Real Bedford (Home)

MATCH INFORMATION
AFC Sudbury v Leiston
Isuzu FA Trophy First Round
Saturday, October 25, 3pm Kick Off
Elite Travel Stadium, Brundon Lane, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 7HN
Tel: 01787 275957

Admission Prices: Adults £14, Concessions £11, Under 16’s £1