Match Preview

NEEDHAM MARKET v LEISTON - MATCH PREVIEW

Match Information
Pitching In Southern League Central Premier
Needham Market v Leiston
Kick Off 7.45pm
Bloomfield’s, Quinton Road, Needham Market, IP6 8DA.
Tel: - 01449 721000.

Game 27/40.

Leiston head to Needham Market tomorrow night in domestic action in another important match for both sides. The Blues will be looking to do the double over the ‘Marketmen’ this season after Finlay Barnes’ late penalty at the start of November gave Leiston a 1-0 win at home.

Leiston’s 1-1 draw with Alvechurch on Saturday leaves the Blues four points behind ‘Church’ and AFC Rushden & Diamonds as they remain in 7th position. Finlay Barnes leveller was his 14th goal of the campaign and he is just one behind top goal scorer Will Davies now. Tomorrow’s match is the beginning of 7 games in February for Leiston. After a trip to St Ives Town this coming weekend, the Blues face four matches at home on the bounce in all competitions as Banbury United, Brantham Athletic (Suffolk Premier Cup) Tamworth and Bromsgrove Sporting all visit before Leiston head to Stourbridge at the end of the month.

Needham Market drew 0-0 at Redditch United on Saturday and ended the match with nine players. They are 13th in the league currently but have progressed to the Last 16 of the FA Trophy against Dartford.

Leiston have lost their last two matches at Bloomfield’s as they went down 2-1 in December 2020 in the FA Trophy with Finlay Barnes on target while they lost 3-0 in August 2019 in league action. The Blues though have enjoyed success in the past at Needham, with wins in 2018 (5-2), 2016 (4-0) and at the end of 2011, when Leiston won 5-0 after the match was evenly poised 0-0 at half time. The Blues also won 6-1 on their way to promotion to Step 5 football (now the Thurlow Nunn Premier) in November 2003 at Bloomfield’s. Towards the end of the 2009/2010 season, Lee McGlone and Danny Cunningham goals helped Leiston win 2-1, with Jamie Stannard saving a late penalty, but Needham were promoted instead of Leiston at the end of that season with the Blues finishing in third place.

Blues joint boss Chris Wigger said on Monday evening: -

‘Sometimes with reflection you can look back at a draw and see it as a point gained but the feeling coming out of the weekend for me is definitely two points dropped. Other than the opening 20 minutes I feel the game was very much dominated by us. Feisty as it was, I’d say we were disciplined where needed and also very much resolute in standing our ground and certainly not prepared to be bullied anywhere from pitch to dugout to tunnel.
Looking ahead to the derby on Tuesday night, that is a game where form doesn’t matter one bit. It’s about local pride, it’s as simple as that. Needham will 100% be looking to even the scores and we will be doing everything in our power to make sure we come out on top this season. I would definitely recommend giving this one a watch!!!!!!’

Games in the Pitching In Southern League Central tomorrow night: -

Banbury United v Biggleswade Town
NEEDHAM MARKET v LEISTON
Rushall Olympic v Stourbridge.