THE Blues host Kettering Town this afternoon, the pitch passing a 9.15am inspection, as both sides look to play their first league game for two weeks.

Leiston remained 10th in the league after their match at Bury Town was postponed last weekend, while Kettering are just two points and one place behind the Blues in 11th.

Chris Wigger could have Eddie Jackson back fit for the match while Kyle Callan-McFadden will return after the defender picked up a red card and had to miss three games with suspension.

Kettering Town won 3-0 at Latimer Park back in August in the reverse fixture, in what was the Blues first away game of the campaign.

Nile Ranger, Alfie Lewis and Kai Fifield were all on target for the hosts that night, with 1,368 people watching on.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS IN SUFFOLK

THE two teams first met in Suffolk on Saturday 30th March 2019, with Kettering grabbing a late goal in stoppage time that took them to the brink of the title. Aaron O’Connor’s 94th-minute strike saw the Poppies to a 1-0 win, in front of 300 spectators.

The next time the teams met was over four years later, on Tuesday 24th October. Kettering were victorious again, winning 2-0, thanks to two second half goals. Sam Bennett and Tyrone Lewthwaite both netted for the Northamptonshire club. Leiston ended the match with ten men after Blues defender Rossi Jarvis went off with a dislocated shoulder, after the side had used all their subs.

On Saturday 1st March last season, Kettering won 2-0, with Jamar Loza having a penalty saved in the second period. A brace from Noel Williams secured the win for the visitors as Leiston missed out in a big match.

KETTERING TOWN FC FACTS

KETTERING Town made history in 1976 when they became the first club to wear sponsorship on their shirt.

The club were formed in 1872 and play at Latimer Park in Burton Latimer. They are managed by Liam McDonald and last season missed out on promotion via the play-offs. After beating Harborough Town on penalties, they lost 2-0 to AFC Telford United in the play-off final.

They have had two great runs in the FA Cup, reaching the Fourth Round twice in 1989 and 2009, going out to Charlton Athletic and Fulham respectively. That was the same season that Leiston made the First Round of the FA Cup. Kettering made the First The last season and defeated Northampton Town before bowing out to Doncaster Rovers in the next round.
They also reached the FA Trophy final in 1979 and 2000, while their record attendance is 11,536 against Peterborough United in 1958.

Roy Clayton is their all-time highest scorer, with 171 goals.

FORM GUIDE:
(Most recent league game first)

BLUES L W L W W

KETTERING TOWN L W D D W

MEANWHILE, the Blues league game against Bury Town has been arranged for Tuesday 3rd February after the match was postponed last weekend.

The Blues home Suffolk Premier Cup Quarter Final tie at against Needham Market will now take place on Tuesday 17th February.

BLUES GAMES IN JANUARY

Saturday 17th: Stourbridge (HOME)
Tuesday 20th: Alvechurch (HOME)
Saturday 24th: -Harborough Town (Away)
Saturday 31st: Royston Town (HOME)

MATCH INFORMATION
Blues v Kettering Town
Pitching In Southern League Premier Division Central
Saturday, January 10th, 3pm kick off
The Flannery Stadium, LTAA, Victory Road, Leiston, Suffolk, IP16 4DQ
Tel: 01728 830308

Admission Prices: Adults £13, Concessions (over 65s) £10, Students (with OD) £8, Under 16’s £3, Under 5’s Free of charge
Matchday programme: On the turnstiles and in the ground, 40 pages for £2.50

Game 24/42

Match Ball Sponsor: Mr Tim Hudson

[b]Free parking, hot and cold food, licensed bar, covered seating.[/