ALL roads lead to Victory Road this weekend as the Blues stage a mouth-watering FA Cup clash against Dagenham & Redbridge in the Fourth Round Qualifying.

It’s Leiston’s sixth time at this stage, and they will look to make the FA Cup First Round Proper for only the second time in their history. It will be the Blues fourth cup game on the bounce, after playing two FA Cup games against Hornchurch and an FA Trophy tie at home to Horsham last weekend.

Dagenham are 13th in the National League at present, having taken 17 points from 13 league games so far. They are yet to play in the FA Cup this campaign as National League sides are exempt in the competition until this round.

The visitors to Suffolk have had some impressive results this season, beating Gateshead 7-1 and Sutton United 3-0, both at home. They are nicknamed ‘the Daggers’ and play their home games at Victoria Road.

The club was formed in 1992 through a merger of Dagenham, and Redbridge Forest. The club's traditional colours are red and blue, to represent the merged teams. The club replaced Redbridge Forest in the Football Conference but were relegated in 1996. The side won the Isthmian League in 2000 but lost in the play-offs in the Conference in the next three seasons. They just missed out on automatic promotion in 2002, via goal difference.

In 2007, they did win the Conference, thus earning the right to play in the Football League. They got promoted from League Two to League One in 2010/11, though they were relegated the next season after finishing 21st in League One. They were relegated back into non-league football in 2016.

The Daggers record attendance was against Ipswich Town in January 2002, when 5,949 people were in attendance. The Daggers took the lead in that game, before Sixto Peralta (2), Jim Magilton and Marcus Stewart sealed a 4-1 win for George Burley's side.

Their best performance in the FA Cup came in to 2002/2003 season when they went as far as the fourth round, before losing 0-1 to Norwich City.

Back to this season and Leiston striker, Jamar Loza has five goals in the competition, the joint fourth highest scorer in the competition this season.

Team news for Leiston sees Wyatt Hill suspended as he misses his third match in a three game ban. Blues skipper Seb Dunbar is still struggling with injury but Albie Armin, Ollie Saunders and Jack Manly should all be involved in the 18-man squad after missing last weekend’s FA Trophy match.

Blues striker Ben Fowkes admitted he is looking forward to the clash: "I can’t wait for what will be a great game to be involved in for both players and supporters," he said.

“I’m enjoying my time back at the club. I’ve had some setbacks in terms of injuries but in the last couple weeks I’ve felt really good and been happy with my performances, especially the game against Hornchurch in the last round of the FA Cup. Our league campaign hasn’t really got going yet as we’ve had so many cup games as of recent but I feel we are creating a real solid base in terms of performance and the results are coming.”

If the tie ends all square after 90 minutes on Saturday, the Blues will head to Dagenham & Redbridge on Tuesday night for the replay.

Games in the 4th Round Qualifying this weekend: - Rushall Olympic v Peterborough Sports, Tamworth v Macclesfield Town, Oldham Athletic v FC Halifax Town, Hartlepool United v Brackley Town, Farsley Celtic v Kettering Town, Altrincham v Solihull Moors, AFC Fylde v Rochdale, Scarborough Athletic v Chester, Biggleswade v York City, Harborough Town v Bury, Curzon Ashton v King’s Lynn Town, Gainsborough Trinity v Boston United, Hednesford Town v Gateshead, Alfreton Town v Spennymoor Town, Kidderminster Harriers v Guiseley, Taunton Town v Maidenhead United, Horsham v Gorleston, Aldershot Town v Bath City, Eastleigh v Southend United, Chertsey Town v Sutton United, Boreham Wood v Carshalton Athletic, Lowestoft Town v Weston Super Mare, Wealdstone v Gosport Borough, Barnet v Chelmsford City, Chesham United v Yeovil Town, Cray Wanderers v Tonbridge Angels, Woking v Slough Town, Forest Green Rovers v Weymouth, Maidstone United v Ebbsfleet United, Plymouth Parkway v Worthing, Braintree Town v Bishop’s Stortford.

Match Information
Blues v Dagenham & Redbridge
Emirates FA Cup 4th Round Qualifying
3pm kick off
Watson & Hillhouse Stadium, Victory Road, Leiston, Suffolk, IP16 4DQ
Tel: - 01728 830308.

Match Sponsors: - Allglass.
Match Ball Sponsors: - Huntsman & Hounds, Spexhall

Admission Prices:- Adults £12, Concessions (over 65’s) £9, Students (with OD) £7, U16’s £3, U5’s FOC.
NO SEASON TICKETS. IT IS ALL PAY.
The game is NOT all ticket with entry via the turnstiles, payment via cash or card.