LEISTON head to Stratford Town this weekend in the Pitching In Southern League Central Premier as they head into their 13th season at Step 3.

After finishing 13th last season, Leiston will be hoping for a more positive season this time around.

Ben Fowkes has re-joined the club after moving onto play for Peterborough Sports and Felixstowe & Walton United last season while Billy Johnson will be the Blues number one this campaign after Sam Donkin moved onto pastures new to play for Billericay Town. Ollie Yun and Ismael Fatadjo will also be looking to make their debuts while Kyran Clements has also returned to the club after playing for Leiston in the 2019/2020 season.

Last season, Leiston beat Stratford Town at home (2-0) and away (4-3) as the Midlands club finished just outside the play-offs at the end of April.

Previous meetings at Stratford Town: -
October 2018: - Stratford Town 3-2 Leiston
October 2019: - Stratford Town 3-1 Leiston
March 2022: - Stratford Town 2-1 Leiston
March 2023: - Stratford Town 1-1 Leiston
August 2023: - Stratford Town 3-4 Leiston.

Leiston have had also some youngsters in the first team in pre-season that played for the U23’s last season. Ben Batho, Cameron Rayworth, Mitchell Jackson, Ethan Oldman and Marcus Mehew have all impressed in the friendly fixtures.

Leiston’s first game at this level came at home to Cray Wanderers in August 2012. A 1-1 draw saw Leiston gain their first point, with Luke Hammond equalising from a free kick. After a hard start to life at this level, the Blues ended up in 12th position.

Leiston finishes at Step 3: -
2012/2013: - 12th
2013/2014: - 9th
2014/2015: - 9th
2015/2016: - 8th
2016/2017: - 7th
2017/2018: - 5th (Play-offs)
2018/2019: - 19th
2019/2020: - 19th (season curtailed in March 2020 due to COVID-19)
2020/2021: - 21st (season curtailed once again due to COVID-19)
2021/2022: - 7th
2022/2023: - 3rd
2023/2024: - 13th.

Match Information
Pitching In Southern League Central Premier
Stratford Town v Blues
3pm kick off
Knights Lane, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Stratford Town FC, CV37 7BZ.
Tel: - 01789 269336.

Game 1/42.

LOOKING ahead, Leiston will play their first home game on Tuesday night at home to Bishop’s Stortford before hosting Harborough Town in a firs- ever meeting between the two clubs next Saturday afternoon (Sat 17th Aug).