Leiston have lost ground on teams above them in the play-off picture in recent weeks but remain positive. The play-offs are still in reach but the Blues are set to be reliant on other results going their way.

Banbury United haven’t lost since the start of March in the league, and are currently five unbeaten. A 5-2 win at Lowestoft Town on Tuesday night saw them up to 11th in the league table.

The Blues loss last Saturday at home to Bedford Town sees them sit five points off the play-offs.

The team’s met early in the season in August in Oxfordshire with Banbury gaining a 1-0 win. An early strike from Prince Henry secured the win for Banbury.

THE GAFFER SPEAKS

Blues boss Chris Wigger said ahead of the game: "Banbury always give us a good game and they are proving hard to beat right now. But we’re confident in ourselves. Our performances have not been bad, despite a tricky few weeks." Full interview here

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

THE two sides first met in Suffolk in April 2019, with a 0-0 draw being played out. Charlie Beckwith made a penalty save in the Blues goal late in the match.

The teams next met in November 2019 in Suffolk, with Banbury running out 5-1 winners. The sides then didn’t meet until March 2022, with Banbury winning 2-0. They went on to lift the league title a few weeks later.

BANBURY FACTS

WITHIN Formula One, two teams have had their base of operations in Banbury. The Simtek team which competed in the 1994 and 1995 F1 World Championships was based on the Wildmere Industrial Estate. The Marussia F1 team had its manufacturing and production facility sited on Thorpe Way Industrial Estate using the building formerly owned by Ascari Cars, a luxury sports car manufacturer.

Banbury was once home to Western Europe's largest cattle market, on Merton Street in Grimsbury. The market was a key feature of Victorian life in the town and county.

TV chef Gordon Ramsey lived in Banbury for a short while comedian Larry Grayson was born in Banbury.

Banbury is home to the world's largest coffee-processing facility (Jacobs Douwe Egberts), built in 1964. It is also famous for Banbury cakes.

FORM GUIDE: -
(Most recent league game first): -
BLUES: - LDDLW
BANBURY UNITED: - WDWWD

COMING UP FOR THE BLUES

LEISTON can look forward to a big game on Wednesday night when they head to Needham Market FC to take on Felixstowe & Walton United FC in the Endeavour Automotive Suffolk Premier Cup Final (7.45pm kick off). A coach is running from Leiston... details here if you wish to come.

AFTER Wednesday, the Blues have four more league games, starting next weekend, to play: -
Saturday 12th April: - Stourbridge (A)
Saturday 19th April: - HALESOWEN TOWN (H)
Monday 21st April: - Lowestoft Town (A)
Saturday 26th April: - BIGGLESWADE TOWN (H)

MATCH INFORMATION
Blues v Banbury United
Pitching In Southern League Central Premier
Saturday, April 5, 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 and in the ground:- £2.50

Match Sponsors: - The Emmerson Family.
Match Ball Sponsor: - Mr Paul Andrews.

Game 38/42.