Last week’s 4-1 home win against Kettering Town lifted Chris Wigger’s side up a place to 9th but the Blues slipped to tenth in midweek following Real Bedford’s win at AFC Sudbury. Leiston remain four points off third place as all 22 sides go into this Saturday’s round of fixtures.

Stourbridge had an excellent win on Wednesday night, beating third-placed Quorn 5-0 with new midfield signing Tom Edge grabbing four of the Glassboys' goals.

Stourbridge, meanwhile, are now only in the relegation zone on goal difference, although they have played four more league games than Alvechurch, who sit one place above them in 18th. Since the middle of December, Stourbridge have taken 11 points from their last five league games, to take them on to 24 points from their 25 league games to date.

At the top there is now a ten-point gap between second-placed Harborough Town and third-placed Quorn, while just four points separates Quorn and Leiston.

The Blues should have everyone fit going into Saturday’s game, although Joao Rangel came off with an injury concern towards the end of the Kettering Town match last week.

The game in the Midlands earlier in the season saw a 1-1 draw played out on Saturday 11th October, 2025. Adam Mills’ leveller on the stroke of half-time cancelled out Tyrone Barnett’s opener on 27 minutes, with 765 people in attendance.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS IN SUFFOLK

THE first time the two sides met came on Saturday 8th December 2018 and it was in Suffolk. Stourbridge were the victors on that occasion winning 3-0, thanks to goals from Aaron Forde, Luke Benbow and Kaiman Anderson, in front of 197 spectators.

Stourbridge returned the following season on Saturday 8th February 2020 and won again this time, 1-0. Jordan Williams first half goal secured the win for Stourbridge in front of 255 fans.

The sides didn’t meet the following season as Leiston played just eight league games before the season was abandoned due to another outbreak of COVID-19.

Games at Leiston since:-

Saturday 6th November 2021
Leiston 2 (Finlay Barnes (2)) Stourbridge 1 (Reece Styche).
Att: 217

Saturday 22nd October 2022
Leiston 1 (Finlay Barnes) Stourbridge 1 (Lee Vaughan)
Att: 210

Sat 9th March 2024
Leiston 0 Stourbridge 1 (Ethan Freemantle)
Att: 170

Saturday 14th December 2024
Leiston 0 Stourbridge 3 (Souleyman Mandey, Alexander Bradley, Elliott Durrell)
Att: 156

STOURBRIDGE FC FACTS

STOURBRIDGE are based in the West Midlands and were formed in 1876.

They are nicknamed the ‘Glassboys’ due to the town’s tradition with the cut glass industry.

They share the War Memorial Ground with the local cricket ground. Andy Pountney is their current Chairman while Scott Adey-Linforth is their manager.

They came 9th last season, one place above the Blues.

They have won the Birmingham Senior Cup five times, the last coming in the 2022/2023 season, while they have won the Worcestershire Senior Cup 12 times, the last of which came in 2013.

STOURBRIDGE THE TOWN

STOURBRIDGE was once part of Worcestershire and the town became famous for making glass during the Industrial Revolution.

Stourbridge is just ten miles from Birmingham.

Stourbridge was first mentioned in records in 1255. It was called Sturbrug or Sturesbridge. The town got its name from a bridge over the River Stour.

FORM GUIDE:
BLUES: WLWLW
STOURBRIDGE: WDDWW

There will be a minute's silence before Saturday’s match in memory of Peter Baggott, who sadly passed away last week. Peter was a club man for many years, taking an interest in the football and he was a bowls, darts and cricket player at the club also for many years.

BLUES GAMES COMING UP

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

Tuesday 3rd Feb: Bury Town (Away)
Saturday 7th Feb: Barwell (Away)
Saturday 14th Feb: Bromsgrove Sporting (HOME)
Tuesday 17th Feb: Needham Market (Suffolk Premier Cup Quarter Finals) (HOME)
Saturday 21st Feb: AFC Sudbury (Away)
Saturday 28th Feb: Real Bedford (Away)

MATCH INFORMATION
Blues v Stourbridge
Pitching In Southern League Premier Division Central
Saturday, January 17, 3pm kick off
The Flannery Stadium, LTAA, Victory Road, 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.

Match Sponsor:- THE LEISTON FC SUPPORTERS

Game:- 25/42