The game kicks off at 3pm on Saturday afternoon and it will be the SIXTH time Leiston have reached this stage of the FA Cup. However, while many fans may remember most of Leiston's more recent exploits at this stage of the world's most famous domestic knock-out competition, few will remember them all!

SEASON: 1945/46

LEISTON received a bye in the 2nd Round Qualifying this season in the FA Cup, before they played Lowestoft Town in the 3rd Round Qualifying. After a 2-2 draw at Leiston, the Blues went through after Lowestoft were disqualified.

However, the Blues went down heavily in the 4th Round Qualifying, losing 0-9 to Chelmsford City. That's still today Chelmsford's highest-ever record win.

SEASON: 2008/09

THIS season saw a dramatic FA Cup run for Leiston. Carl Chenery’s side beating fives teams to reach the 4th Round Qualifying, including a win at Step 3 side Carshalton Athletic.

The Blues were paired at home against Step 1 Conference League side Lewes in the 4th Round Qualifying, Danny Cunningham's strike for the Blues just after half-time sealing a 1-1 draw, in front of a crowd of 841 at Victory Road.

Most neutrals thought a replay in Sussex on a cold October night would be a step too far for the Suffolk side, but they couldn't have been more wrong. Stuart Boardley’s double and a Luke Eagle goal defeated Lewes at the Dripping Pan, and although the home side got back in the game with just under half an hour to go, the Blues held out, winning 3-1.

Leiston were in the FA Cup First Round for the first time in their history, and a battling and deserved 0-0 draw at Victory Road with National League North, Fleetwood Town, in front of a crowd of 1,250.

However, there was no fairy tale ending on the Lancashire coast in the replay, the Cod Army running out 2-0 victors. But the many Leiston fans who travelled north-west enjoyed a wonderful time.

SEASON: 2010/11

THIS was another impressive FA Cup run to the 4th Round Qualifying, as St Neots, Folkestone Invicta and North Greenford United (the latter two who were both higher in the pyramid than Leiston) were all disposed of, before the Blues played Dartford in the 4th Round Qualifying.

The sides drew 0-0 in Suffolk, before Dartford won the replay 3-2 on the Tuesday night in front of a crowd of a crowd of just over 1,000.

SEASON 2016/17

THERE was frustration this FA Cup season for the Blues as they reached the 4th Round Qualifying only to lose in heartbreaking fashion to lower league Westfields.

The Blues had already beaten Grays Athletic, South Park and Hungerford Town (all by score lines of 4-1) before drawing Step 5 club Westfields, in Hereford.

Leiston had most of the play in the tie but went a goal down. However, Tom Winter levelled with just under 20 minutes to go. Westfields were facing a long midweek journey to Suffolk but got an 89th- minute winner, to send the majority of the 700+ crowd home ecstatic.

SEASON 2020/21

THE last time the Blues reached the 4th Round Qualifying was in 2020.

Having beaten Halstead (5-0) and Biggleswade (5-1) at Victory Road, the Blues won 2-1 at Leighton Town, before winning a thrilling 9-8 penalty shoot-out against AFC Telford in the 3rd Round Qualifying, setting up the Barnet tie.

A crowd of 600 saw the Blues lose 3-2 to Barnet, of the National League. A Will Davies goal (the striker was the top scorer in the FA Cup that season with 7 goals) and an own goal put Leiston 2-1 up but Barnet fought their way back and a late goal saw Leiston go down, narrowly.

SO...
Can the Blues reach the FA Cup First Round for only the second time in their history this weekend. Find out on Saturday afternoon. See you there!