LEISTON will be looking for their first three points of the season as they head to Banbury United at the weekend, playing their second away fixture on the bounce, writes Craig Cooper.

The Blues were beaten by Kettering Town on Tuesday night, in front of 1,368 fans.

Leiston can draw a lot of credit form the game on Tuesday however, as they had chances, against a team certain to be up there this season.

Striker Ben Fowkes is hoping to be back in contention this weekend, after missing Leiston’s first two games of the season.

Banbury United have made a good start. They defeated Stratford Town 3-0 away from home on the first day of the season. Goals from Stokoe (2) and Ofosu secured the opening day win for the Oxfordshire-based side, while on Tuesday night Ferguson’s goal helped Banbury earn a 1-1 draw with Worcester City.

PREVIOUS GAMES AT BANBURY

August 2018: -
Banbury United 1-0 Leiston.

There was no game the following season at Banbury as play was suspended due to the Covid outbreak.

The following season, 2020/2021, there was also no play as after eight league games, the FA null and voided the league once again due to Covid.

October 2021: -
Banbury United 3-2 Leiston
(Leiston scorers: Finlay Barnes, Joe Marsden)
Banbury were promoted that year and had two seasons at Step 2 in the National North before being relegated.

August 2024: -
Banbury United 1-0 Leiston.
Leiston have never won at Banbury in their three previous visits.

BANBURY FACTS

THE club was founded in 1931, and they are managed by Kelvin Langmead. They came 12th last season and after beating Leiston at home early on, the Blues won 3-0 in the return fixture.

Their current home, the Spencer Stadium, has been their home since the 1934-1935 season.

They have reached the First Round of the FA Cup on six previous occasions, most recently in the 2021/2022 season.

Tony Jacques once scored 62 times for the club, a record for Banbury, in the 1967/1968 campaign.

They are nicknamed the Puritans. The Puritans were English Protestants who sought to rid the Church of England of Roman Catholic practises in the 16th and 17th centuries. The town of Banbury was known then as a strongly Puritan area.

COMING UP FOR THE BLUES

LEISTON end August with a home league fixture with Redditch United next weekend before heading to Needham Market for a Suffolk derby on Bank Holiday Monday (both games are 3pm kick offs).

The side will play in the Emirates FA Cup on the last Saturday of the month when they enter at the First Round Qualifying stage. The draw for this round will take place this coming Monday (18th August), two days after the Preliminary Round games have been completed.

MATCH INFORMATION
Banbury United v Blues
Pitching In Southern League Central Premier
Saturday, August 16, 3pm kick off
The Spencer Stadium, Station Approach, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 5AB

Admission Prices: Adults £13, Concessions (over 65’s) £11, Students £9, U18’s £9.

The Blues are running a coach to the game. Details here.

Game 3/42.