A good 2-2 draw with Holbeach United last weekend helped Leiston onto 30 points for the season. They reached 38 points last campaign although they played two games more in a league season of 40 fixtures.

Mackenzie Travis’ first half goal put the Blues in front against Holbeach last week, but the visitors fought back to lead after the interval, however, in the seventh minute of stoppage time, Oscar Manly slotted home a penalty to ensure the spoils were shared on the day.

Whitton United are 15th in the league at present but only five points above Leiston U23’s whilst playing three league games more.

The Ipswich club recently beat Suffolk & Ipswich League side Tattingstone United on penalties to reach the final of the Suffolk Senior Cup, where they will play Trimley Red Devils at Portman Road at the end of the season.

The two sides met in mid September last year at the beginning of the campaign, with Whitton United winning 4-1, in an attendance of 48.

Oscar Manly scored for Leiston while Ashley Blow scored a hat-trick and Thomas Watkins were on target for the visitors.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

THE two sides first met at this level in February 2017 when Whitton United won 2-1 at the King George V Playing Field.

Adam Blades scored for the U23’s while Josh Cheetham and James Watling scored for the hosts. Later in April, Whitton United won 5-0 at Leiston. Josh Cheetham (2), Lewis Bell, Niall McPhillps and Kieran Smith-Edwards were the scorers for Whitton.

The following season, Leiston beat Whitton United on penalties in the Suffolk Senior Cup in November 2017 after the game ended 1-1. Toby Groom netted the Blues goal while Josh Stevens scored for Whitton, in front of 51 people.

Whitton beat Leiston 5-1 in Ipswich and 3-0 at Leiston in the league games that season as they finished third to secure promotion while Leiston’s second string came 13th.

The team then didn’t meet for four years, with Whitton winning 3-0 in October 2023. Kade Ivatt (2) and Ashley Horne the scorers on the night but Leiston beat Whitton 3-2 in the return fixture in January 2024. Cameron Rayworth scored a hat-trick while Kade Ivatt was again on the scoresheet for Whitton with two goals.

Leiston’s first team played Whitton in the Eastern Counties First Division in August 2003 and won 2-1 with Glen Driver scoring both goals. R.Swann scored Whitton’s goal on the night. In the away fixture in December 2003, Leiston won 3-2 with Gavin Jennings scoring twice and an own goal the scorers for the Blues. G.Crane and Swann scored for Whitton.

Leiston beat Whitton United 7-0 away from home and 5-0 at home in the Eastern Counties Premier Division in the early part of the 2008/2009 season, but Whitton United pulled out of the league so the Blues had their points expunged.

FORM GUIDE: -
(Starting with most recent league games): -
WHITTON UNITED: - LLLLD
BLUES U23’s: - DLLWL

THE UNDER-23s RUN-IN

Wivenhoe Town (H): - Tues 1st April
Holland FC (A): - Sat 5th April
Swaffham Town (H): - Tues 8th April
FC Peterborough (H): Sat 12th April
Needham Market Reserves (A): - Sat 19th April
Gorleston Reserves (H): - Mon 21st April.

MATCH INFORMATION
Whitton United v Blues U23’s
Thurlow Nunn First Division North
Saturday, March 29, 3pm kick off
Whitton United FC, King George V Playing Field, Old Norwich Road, Ipswich, IP1 6LE
Tel: - 01473 464030.

Game 32/38.