THE Blues host Bishop’s Stortford this evening in a first-ever league meeting between the two sides, kick-off 7.45pm at Victory Road.

Leiston will hope to put Saturday’s game at Stratford Town to the back of their minds, a game they lost 0-3. Club captain Seb Dunbar is still doubtful as he recovers from an injury while new signing Fraser Alexander is hopeful to be in the squad, subject to paperwork.

Bishop’s Stortford beat Alvechurch on Saturday 2-1 at home. The Essex club were relegated from the National League North last campaign but will have high hopes this season to bounce straight back up.

FORMER IPSWICH TOWN MAN JOINS LEISTON

“It was disappointing on Saturday of course, 3-0 down at half-time, two-down in 15 minutes,” Blues boss Chris Wigger said after the Stratford game.

“Frustrating as well because the opening 15 we had the majority of play and created chances, but we haven’t taken them, and they’ve got forward twice and scored two goals.

“In the second half we’ve changed formation, kept the same XI on the pitch, changed formation and probably had 70% of the possession, all bar the last five minutes. But we need to change that amount of possession into goals.”

Wigger will be hoping striker Ben Fowkes will be fit for tonight. He has an injury that the club are needing to manage, while skipper Seb Dunbar missed out on Saturday.

“Ben has given himself a good chance of playing against Bishop’s Stortford by us resting him on Saturday,” Wigger added.

“It’s a difficult decision to rest one of your top strikers, but that’s what we have a medical staff for, to listen to their advice. His injury jumped on as late on pre-season. As regards Seb, I think we might be struggling.”

Leiston have met tonight's opponents once before in their history in November 2021 when they went down 5-1 away from home in the 2nd Round of the FA Trophy. Adam Mills was on target that afternoon for Leiston. Bishop’s Stortford went out in the next round of the competition, losing on penalties at Cheshunt.

Bishop’s Stortford have mainly played in the Isthmian Premier in recent years but have been moved across to the Southern League for this campaign.

There are still four more games in August for Leiston after tonight as Harborough Town visit on Saturday before Chris Wigger’s team head to Banbury United (Sat 24th Aug) and host Royston Town (Mon 26th Aug). The month finishes when Leiston enter the Emirates FA Cup First Round Qualifying on Saturday 31st August. The draw for this will be on Monday.

Monday night results in the Pitching In Southern League Central Premier: -
Barwell 0-1 Banbury United
Redditch United 2-2 Halesowen Town
St Ives Town 3-1 Lowestoft Town.

Match Information
Blues v Bishop’s Stortford
Pitching In Southern League Central Premier
7.45pm kick off
Watson & Hillhouse Stadium, Victory Road, IP16 4DQ.
Tel: - 01728 830308.

Admission Prices
Adults £12, Concessions £9, Students (with ID) £6, U16’s £3, U5’s FOC.

Programme £2. 50
Game 2/42.
Kettering Town v Spalding United
LEISTON v BISHOP’S STORTFORD
Stamford AFC v Hitchin Town
Telford v Stourbridge.