The hosts have had a great start to their campaign, and currently sit in 5th place with 10 points from their five league games. They have beaten Bromsgrove Sporting (A, 2-1), St Ives Town (H, 1-0) and Kettering Town (H, 2-1). They have also drawn away at Redditch United (2-2) while Bedford Town won 4-1 at Halesowen. Halesowen Town went out of the FA Cup last weekend as they were beaten 3-2 at Redditch United.

Leiston have found a bit of form, and confidence, of late though and have had two wins in their last two games, while they have only conceded four goals in their last five games after conceding three in their first match at Stratford Town.

George Quantrell has taken his goal tally to five goals already this season after a double in each of his last two games. Leiston have also been boosted by the return to fitness of Seb Dunbar, the Blues club captain isn’t far away from first-team action now.

Last season, Leiston lost on the opening day of the season at Halesowen Town. Miracle Okafor’s brace helped the hosts win in front of a crowd of 819 as Jamar Loza netted a consolation goal for Leiston in stoppage time. In the return fixture at Leiston, Ashley Boatswain’s double gave Leiston a two-goal lead and even though Adam Bailey-Dennis scored a late own goal, the Blues held out for the win.

Looking ahead to the game, Blues defender Wyatt Hill said: “We’ve got a young team, and we knew it would take time to gel.

“Halesowen is always a tough place to go. They have a very good fan base. They get 1,000 fans there most weeks. We know it’s going to be a tough away game, but we go into it with a lot of confidence after our recent results.”

Halesowen made three Wembley appearances in the 1980’s in the FA Vase Final. They lost in 1983 to Rugby Town 1-0 but won the competition in 1985 against Fleetwood Town (3-1) and 1986 against Southall (3-0).

Leiston have a busy month ahead in September as they play another six matches at least. On Tuesday, AFC Sudbury visit Victory Road, in league action, while the Blues head to Essex to face Brentwood Town in the Emirates FA Cup next weekend. On Tuesday week, Leiston head to Bury Town in the Suffolk Premier Cup first round, before heading to Barwell and Bedford Town in the space of three days in Southern League action.

LEE NORFOLK ON FA CUP TEST AHEAD

Match Information
Halesowen Town v Blues
Pitching In Southern League Central Premier
3pm kick off
The Grove, Old Hawne Lane, Halesowen, B63 3TB
Tel: - 0121 629 0727.

Admission Prices: Adults £12, Concessions £9, Student (U21) £9, 13-17 year olds £5, Under 12’s £2

Game 6/42