THE Blues welcome Barwell to Suffolk this weekend as they return to the Watson & Hillhouse Stadium, Victory Road, for their first home game in two weeks.

Chris Wigger’s side drew 0-0 with the Leicestershire side in September. The game was suspended for a little while due to thunder and lightning and torrential rain.

Leiston beat AFC Sudbury 3-0 on Tuesday night to see them reach their eighth final in the Suffolk Premier Cup. The final will see the Blues take on Felixstowe & Walton United at Needham Market FC on Wednesday 9th April (7.45pm kick off).

Back to the Southern League and the Blues are 7th in the table, but only six points off second place and eight points off the top of the table.

Barwell are currently 18th, with 36 points from 34 games but have played more games than teams below them (apart from Hitchin Town). They are one point ahead of Lowestoft Town, who at present occupy the final relegation place.

PAST MEETINGS IN SUFFOLK

THE Blues first played Barwell in September 2018, and lost 1-0, with Brady Hickey scoring the goal in Suffolk. The following season, in February 2020, the sides drew 1-1 at Victory Road. Kai Williams put Barwell ahead but Rob Harvey levelled for Leiston in at the end of the half.

In October 2021, goals from Will Davies and George Quantrell helped Leiston beat Barwell 2-1. Lucas Powell netted for the away side.

In April 2023, goals from Ben Fowkes and Davies inside the first five minutes helped Leiston move up to second in the league late in the campaign, while last season in February 2024, Barwell won 2-1. Beck Ray-Enoru and Jahvan Davidson-Miller were on the scoresheet for the away side, Eddie Jackson scored for the Blues.

BARWELL FUN FACTS

BARWELL is a village within the Hinckley and Bosworth Borough. It is listed in the Domesday Book as ‘Berryall’ which later became Bearwell.

Notable people from Barwell are Dame Carol M.Black (physician), Michael Robinson and Chris Kirkland (both footballers).

There were just over 9,000 people living in Barwell in 2021 and the average house price in the Leicestershire village is just over £246,000.

Barwell FC were founded in 1992. Their nickname is 'The Canaries' .

FORM GUIDE: -
(Most recent league games first): -
BLUES: - WLLWD
BARWELL: - LWLDW

COMING UP FOR THE BLUES

LEISTON face two away trips after hosting Barwell on Saturday.

The first comes on Tuesday when the Blues head to Biggleswade Town (7.45pm kick off) before travelling to Alvechurch next weekend (3pm kick off).

Leiston finish the month with a home game on Saturday 29th March when Bedford Town visit (3pm kick off).

MATCH INFORMATION
Blues v Barwell
Pitching In Southern League Central Premier
Saturday, March 15, 3pm kick off
Watson & Hillhouse Stadium, Victory Road, LTAA, Leiston, Suffolk, IP16 4DQ
Tel: - 01728 830308.

Admission Prices:- Adults £12, Concessions (over 65’s) £9, Students (with ID) £7, U16’s £3, U5’s FOC.
Printed matchday programme, available on the turnstiles or in the ground: £2.50

Match Sponsor: - Morson Group.
Match Ball: - Mr Tim Hudson.

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