LEISTON boss Chris Wigger knows derby clashes are great levellers, as his Victory Road team entertain Lowestoft Town at the Watson & Hillhouse Stadium on Boxing Day, 1pm kick-off, in a Southern League Premier Central division clash.

The Blues are sitting mid-table and go into the match on the back of one of their best performances of the season at Bishop’s Stortford on Saturday, where they won 2-1, making it three wins in their last six league games. Leiston narrowly beat the Trawler Boys in the Suffolk Premier Cup last month. Lowestoft meanwhile, have one league win in their last six and sit just above the relegation zone.

“A derby is a leveller,” Wigger said. “There has always been a close rivalry between the two sides, so any type of form or good feeling can sometimes go out of the window. But I’m happy going into the game on the back of two very good performances where we’ve created lots of chances. We come into this game in a good head space.”

Wigger knows, in front of a big crowd, pressure can be key. He expects his side to cope with that.

“It’s an important game for the fans as well as anyone associated with the club,” he said.

“The players and management feel the pressure. But you must thrive on the pressure if you want to compete. We’re up for that challenge not to let anyone down.”

The win at Stortford arrested three straight league defeats for Wigger’s side, albeit against three play-off chasing sides.

“Bishop’s Stortford was probably one of our best footballing performances. I’ve never seen us create so many chances and not score, especially first half. It was ridiculous, chance after chance and along with that some good football.

“To win it in the final minute just made it an even better day. The lads are very positive going into the Lowestoft game.”

Football comes thick and fast not just for professional players, but for many non-league players as well. Wigger says results can make it all worthwhile.

“The games come thick and fast at this time of the year,” he said. “And at a time when you want to take a break and spend some time with the family. Commitment is required when you are playing more games over the holiday period than anytime of the season.

“Results can make a massive difference to that when you are giving up time with your family, sacrificing what your families are perhaps doing that you have to give up, drinking certain drinks, eating certain foods.

“But that sacrifice is worthwhile with positive results. It can be a good feeling. That’s how you must look at it.”

Leiston sit six points off the play-off places going into this Boxing Day clash. Wigger wants to see his team continue their attractive brand of football but still asks for a little more.

“I hope in 2025 we continue the positive performances and the quality of football the team have been playing,” he said.

“I want to see us keep that, but also try and find a way to pick up more points than we have in the first half of the season, because at times we might have to sacrifice a bit of free free-flowing football to get results and create chances, especially as pitch conditions and weather can start to dictate.

“In saying that, that was not the case at Bishop’s Stortford where the pitch was superb for this time of the season and allowed us to play some of the best football this group of players have played.”

Christmas draw tickets will still be on sale up to the final whistle on Boxing Day, available round the ground or in the clubhouse.