Leiston have won three of their last five league games, including a good win on the road last weekend at Halesowen Town that saw Ben Fowkes hit two goals in a 2-1 win.

That win lifted Leiston up to 8th in the league standings. Needham Market, meanwhile, are 6th in the league just outside the last play-off spot, although they did lose 3-1 to Harborough Town at home last Saturday.

Leiston will be without Kyle Callan-McFadden for the match as the defender misses his third and final match after receiving a straight red card against Real Bedford at the end of November. Harvey Sayer has finished his loan spell and has now joined Lowestoft Town on a month’s loan.

Needham have former Blues’ Kyle Hammond, Ben Hunter and Dan Morphew in their squad while Ollie Saunders joined their ranks last summer. Ollie made nearly 200 appearances for Leiston between 2019 and 2025.

Earlier in the campaign in late August, Leiston won 2-1 at Bloomfields in front of a crowd of 669. Ronnie Blois put Leiston ahead but Luke Ingram levelled for the hosts. But late in the game, on 84 minutes, Joe McNeil scored for Leiston to ensure the Blues of the three points.

The sides meet again at the Flannery Stadium on Tuesday 6th January in the quarter-finals of the Endeavour Automotive Suffolk Premier Cup (7.45pm kick off) for the right to face Bury Town in the semi-finals.

PREVIOUS VICTORY ROAD CLASHES

LEISTON are unbeaten at home in the league against Needham Market since April 2004.

That night (Wednesday 21st April 2004), a win would have promoted the Blues to Step 5 football but Karl Sandilands and Marc Wake goals for Needham meant Leiston had to wait. However, they confirmed promotion and a top three finish three days later when they defeated Ely City, 2-1 away from home.

The sides next met at Leiston on Tuesday 11th October 2005, when Gavin Jennings scored the only goal in 1-0 win. 240 people watched the game.

This was followed by a 5-2 home win on Saturday 25th November 2006. Chris Dennett (2), Donny George, Lee McGlone and Stewart Roach netted the goals for Leiston while M.Buckle and B.Deacon scored for Needham.

The following season (2007/2008) saw the teams draw 2-2 on Saturday 5th January 2008. Chris Allen and Donny George scored for Leiston while Rhys Barber and Tom Smith netted for Needham.

On Tuesday, 30th September 2008, Carl Chenery’s side won 5-1 v Needham Market. Stuart Boardley, Marc Lowe, Lee McGlone (2) and Chris Sillett were on target for Leiston while Scott Field scored for Needham, in front of an attendance of 210.

GAMES SINCE
Saturday 22nd August 2009
Leiston 2 (Alicion Blake, Stuart Boardley) Needham Market 1 (Matt Buckle)

Monday 9th April 2012
Leiston 3 (Gareth Heath (2), Leon Ottley-Gooch) Needham Market 0

Saturday 26th December 2015
Leiston 3 (Christy Finch, Leon Ottley-Gooch, Joe Francis) Needham Market 0

Monday 2nd January 2017
Leiston 5 (Byron Lawrence (2), Patrick Brothers, Gareth Heath, Niko Muir) Needham Market 1 (Luke Ingram)

Tuesday 24th April 2018
Leiston 2 (Patrick Brothers, Jake Reed) Needham Market 0

Wednesday 26th December 2018
Leiston 2 (Byron Lawrence, Ashley Nicholls) Needham Market 1 (Adam Mills)

Wednesday 1st January 2020
Leiston 2 (Byron Lawrence, Siju Odelusi) Needham Market 1 (Joe Marsden)

Tuesday 2nd November 2021
Leiston 1 (Finlay Barnes) Needham Market 0

Monday 26th December 2022
Leiston 2 (Ben Fowkes, Joe Marsden) Needham Market 1 (Luke Ingram)

Monday 28th August 2023
Leiston 0 Needham Market 0

FORM GUIDE: -
(Most recent league results first)

BLUES: W L W W L
NEEDHAM MARKET: L D L W W

BLUES MATCHES AHEAD
Saturday 3rd Jan: Bury Town (Away)
Tuesday 6th Jan: Needham Market (Home - Suffolk Premier Cup Quarter Final)
Saturday 10th Jan: Kettering Town (Home)
Sat 17th Jan: Stourbridge (Home)
Tuesday 20th Jan: Alvechurch (Home)
Saturday 24th Jan: Harborough Town (Away)
Saturday 31st Jan: Royston Town (Home)

MATCH INFORMATION
Blues v Needham Market
Pitching In Southern League Premier Division Central
Saturday, December 27, 3pm kick off
The Flannery Stadium, LTAA, Leiston, Suffolk, IP16 4DQ
Tel: 01728 830308

Admission Prices:- Adults £13, Concessions (over 65s) £10, Students (with ID) £8, Under 16’s £3, Under 5’s Free of charge

Printed matchday programme: £2.50 available in the ground

Match Sponsors: Beach View Holiday Park
Match Ball Sponsors: Mr Ron Baldry.

Game 23/42