THE Blues host Redditch United in league game number four over this Bank Holiday weekend, the first of two games in three days, as Leiston then travel to Bloomfields on Monday to face Needham Market, writes Craig Cooper.

Chris Wigger’s men performed excellently last weekend at Banbury United, playing very well in the first half, and taking a point back to Suffolk.

The team are hoping to have Ben Fowkes and Willie Clemons back in the squad this weekend for the visit of Redditch, while Cameron Rayworth trained at the club on Tuesday night following injury in a pre-season game at Mulbarton.

PREVIOUS REDDITCH VISITS TO LEISTON

August 2018:
Leiston 4 Redditch United 3
(Leiston scorers: Chris Henderson, Noel Aitkens, Jake Reed, Byron Lawrence).

The next two seasons the two sides didn’t meet due to to league being halted for COVID-19

August 2021:
Leiston 1 Redditch United 2
(Leiston: Adam Mills)

November 2022:
Leiston 2 Redditch United 1
(Leiston: Ben Fowkes, OG)

November 2023:
Leiston 0 Redditch United 1

January 2025:
Leiston 1 Redditch United 0
(Leiston: Jamar Loza)

REDDITCH FC FACTS

REDDITCH UNITED FC is situated in Worcestershire and they play their home games at the Valley Stadium.

They were founded in 1891 and were first known as Redditch Town. They stayed up last season by three points, coming fifth from bottom as they finished in 18th position.

Under Redditch FC, they reached the First Round of the FA Cup in the 1960/1961 season, while as Redditch United they reached Round One of the FA Cup again in 1971/1972 before losing.

They were Southern League North winners in 1975/1976 and were Southern Western winners in 2003/2004.

REDDITCH FUN FACTS

MORE than 80,000 people live in Redditch

In the 1800’s, Redditch was a global leader in making needles.

It is the second biggest town in Worcestershire, behind Worcester.

Some attractions and places of interest in the town are the Bordesley Abbey and the Forge Mill Needles Museum.

Redditch is twinned with Auxerre in France (in 1956) and Mtwara in Tanzania (in 1986).

UPCOMING FOR THE BLUES

LEISTON end their league fixtures for the month at Needham Market on Bank Holiday Monday before heading to North London next weekend (Sat 30th August) to play Cheshunt in the First Qualifying Round in the Emirates FA Cup.

The Blues game against Lowestoft Town in the First Round of the Suffolk Premier Cup will take place on Tuesday 2nd September, barring no FA Cup replays, with the winners heading to Walsham-le-Willows in the Second Round.

MATCH INFORMATION
Blues v Redditch United
Pitching In Southern League Central Premier
Saturday, August 23, 3pm kick off
Watson & Hillhouse Stadium, Victory Road, LTAA, Leiston, Suffolk, IP16 4DQ
Tel: 01728 830308.

Admission Prices:- Adults £13, Concessions (over 65’s) £10, Students (with ID) £8, Under 16’s £3, Under 5’s Free of charge.
Printed matchday programme available on the turnstiles and in the ground: £2.50

Game 4/42