THE Blues Under 23’s head to Ransomes Sports this weekend in the league (2pm kick off) after an impressive 7-2 home win against Sporting 87 last Saturday writes Craig Cooper.

Ollie Long (2), Jack McLeavy (2), Liam Shaw, Ollie Griggs and Harry Bales were all on target as Neil Smye’s side moved up a place into 7th in the league table.

There were some excellent performances from the young team and Ryan Jarvis also had a run out in midfield.

The side will be looking for a fourth successive victory in all competitions and they have also netted an impressive 21 goals in their last four matches.

Ransomes Sports have won seven games and drawn two out of nine league games in total so far.

They currently sit in fourth place but have games in hand, with four matches on current leaders Kirton Athletic.

Ransomes, along with the Blues, have made the Quarter Finals of the Suffolk Senior Cup after wins over Grundisburgh and East Bergholt United and will travel to Hadleigh United in the next round.

Ransomes Sports and the Blues met for many years in the SIL but since Leiston went up in 2001 from the Suffolk & Ipswich League, the two sides haven’t met competitively (first team or reserves) in a league game. However, the Blues defeated Ransomes Sports 2-0 at home in the Churchman’s Cup in the 2004/2005 season, a cup that they went on to win.

Ransomes Sports started out as Orwell Works and won the Suffolk & Ipswich League three times in a row between 1904 and 1907. Leiston Town and Leiston Works Athletic faced Orwell Works regularly in the late 1800’s and 1900’s. In 1948, they changed their name to Fisons but after winning back-to-back titles in 1961 and 1962, changed their name to Ransomes Sports in the latter.

They won the Suffolk Senior Cup in 1979 and won the league and Suffolk Senior Cup in 1981 before claiming the League Cup in 1983.

They became RSCC Ransomes in 1986 and won the league again in 1987. The 1980’s also saw Ransomes enter the FA Vase, and they reached the Third Round in the 1982/1983 season and also 1987/1988. Leiston also entered the FA Vase as a Suffolk and Ipswich League side in 1988.

The club have spent the majority of their time since in the Senior Division, although their were relegated to Division One (now Championship) at one point.

Last season, they won the Championship, going the whole season undefeated while also winning the Suffolk Junior Cup.

BLUES BOSS NEIL SMYE SAYS:

“We have had a busy few weeks in which the players have shown a lot of character to either come from behind to win games or control games in a mature way.

“Over the course of this season, the players have shown a development of determination and ability to turn games around from losing positions, and the second half was evident of this.

“One thing becoming evident over the last few games is that we now have more players showing they are capable of scoring goals with our midfielders and defenders scoring in open play.

"A tough game is expected at Ransomes but I’m sure the players will give their all to try and get something from the game. On Tuesday, 13 players from this group will be involved in the Under 18’s FA Youth Cup tie against visiting Bromley at the Flannery Stadium.

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FORM GUIDE:
(Most recent league game first)

RANSOMES SPORTS: D W D W W

BLUES: W W L L W

NOVEMBER FIXTURES FOR THE UNDER 23’s

Saturday 7th Nov: Haughley United (HOME)
Saturday 14th Nov: Tattingstone United (HOME)
Saturday 21st Nov: Debenham LC (Away)
Saturday 28th Nov: AFC Kesgrave (HOME)

MATCH INFORMATION
Ransomes Sports v Blues Under 23’s
Gateway 14 Suffolk & Ipswich League Premier Division
Saturday, October 31st, 2pm kick off
Ransomes Sports Centre & Pavilion, Sidegate Avenue, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 4JJ.

Game 11/32