FRASER Alexander admits he's happy he picked Leiston to join this pre-season. And now he wants nothing more than to help the Blues go on an FA Cup run.

Leiston entertain Waltham Abbey at Victory Road on Saturday, 3pm kick-off, in the FA Cup first qualifying round. It’s a long road to Wembley; but it has to start somewhere.

“The FA Cup is one of the greatest cup competitions in England and for a non-league side it’s special,” Alexander said.

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“If we can go far, it would be brilliant for the Club and the fans. We’ll give it our best shot. We go into every game to win, so if we can get past Waltham Abbey, hopefully a good draw, and then who knows?”

Alexander, who made one first-team appearance for Ipswich Town having signed a two-year professional contract at Portman Road in 2021 was, as a teenager, involved in numerous England Youth training camps at U15 and U16 level. He left Ipswich Town in 2023, joining Bishop’s Stortford last season, before joining Leiston this summer. It’s a move he hasn’t regretted.

“I’m really enjoying playing here at Leiston,” he said.

“Obviously I signed late in pre-season so I’m new to the team, but the boys are great. I’m enjoying the football we’re playing, the sessions and games we’re involved with. I think we’ve been a bit unlucky not to get a win before the Royston game on Monday.” (Leiston won 2-0). “But it was coming, it was on the cards, and it was coming sooner rather than later.

“In the summer I was looking for the next step, trying different places pre-season to see what was the best fit. But after talking to the management here and some of the players they said come here, it’s a good team, good set-up, let’s see what we can do. I haven’t regretted it.”

Alexander has shown his class in the middle of the park for Leiston, who will go into this weekend’s FA Cup game with hopes high that now that first win of the campaign is tucked away, more will follow.

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