LEISTON striker Ben Fowkes, who helped fire the Blues into the Suffolk Premier Cup final on Tuesday night, says there are ‘exciting times ahead’ for his team and their fans.

Fowkes was in hot form against AFC Sudbury, scoring one and setting up another, as Leiston beat their west Suffolk rivals 3-0 to reach the final, where they play Felixstowe & Walton, at Needham Market next month.

And Leiston are still gunning for a play-off spot in the Southern League Central Premier Division. This weekend they entertain Barwell, at Victory Road.

“There’s a lot to play for in the league, we’re in and around the play-offs so obviously that’s the main aim to get in there and give ourselves hopefully a couple of extra games at the end of the season and finish the season with some good news,” Fowkes said.

“Being so close to the top of the table is great, as a player you want to win stuff and test yourself against top players. So, yes, exciting times and now we want to put a run together hopefully.

Barwell will be a tough test. They’re a big team, we’ll just have to see what we can do.”

Fowkes looked back on a good night for him personally and the team collectively after their win over AFC Sudbury.

“The first half was really good to be honest,” he said. “Obviously, the last couple of weeks I’ve been out of the team so once I got that chance, I had to make it count.

“Fortunately, on Tuesday night, I made it count, and we’re delighted to get to the final and hopefully win some silverware at the end of the year.”

After the match on Saturday, a Race Night is being held in the clubhouse, 6pm start. All welcome.