OVERVIEW

THE Blues U23s host Kings Park Rangers this weekend at the Flannery Stadium, in the Thurlow Nunn First Division North, writes Craig Cooper.

The side remain bottom of the division and have some important games coming up in the next few matches. Neil Smye should have most players available for the match, as they play the U23s play their penultimate game before 2025 ends.

KPR are currently second, six points behind leaders Holland FC, with two games in hand. Along with Holland, they have lost just one game in the league all season.

Like the Blues U23s, they have won through to the quarter-finals of the JLS Catering Group Suffolk Senior Cup. After receiving a Bye in round one and a walkover against Grundisburgh in round two, they have won Suffolk side beat Framlingham Town, 4-1 at home, to set up a last eight tie at home to Henley Athletic.

The teams have never met before so this will be the first meeting between the two sides.

KPR were formed in May 2023 and have had two promotions in their first two full seasons as a football club.

They started at Step 8 in the football pyramid (equivalent of playing in Division One of the Suffolk and Ipswich League), and were runners-up in the First Division of the Essex and Suffolk Border League, before winning the Premier Division last campaign.

The club play at Blackhouse Lane, ground sharing with Thurlow Nunn Premier Division club, Cornard United.

Jamie Dobkin is their chairman, while John Pollard manages the side.

Ex-Blues players Danny Cunningham (who made over 150 appearances for the Blues first team), Cliff Akurang and John Sands are all involved with the club.

FORM GUIDE: -

(Most recent league game first):
BLUES U23s: - LLLLL
KINGS PARK RANGERS: - WWWDW

BLUES GAMES AHEAD

Sat 13th Dec: - Wivenhoe Town (A)
Sat 3rd Jan (2026): - NEEDHAM RESERVES (H)
Sat 10th Jan: - FC Clacton (A)
Sat 17th Jan: - Stanway Pegasus (A)
Sat 24th Jan: - HOLBEACH UNITED (H)
Sat 31st Jan: - Haughley United (A), JLS Catering Group Suffolk Senior Cup quarter-final, 1.30pm kick off).

MATCH INFORMATION

Blues U23s v Kings Park Rangers
Thurlow Nunn First Division North
Saturday, December 6, 3pm kick off
The Flannery Stadium, Victory Road, LTAA, Leiston, Suffolk, IP16 4DQ
Tel: - 01728 830308.

ADMISSION PRICES: Adults £7, Concessions (over 65s) £4, Students (with ID) £3, U16s FOC.

Game 19/38.