Stourbridge are currently three points above Leiston with 28 points to their name from 17 games (having played a game less than Leiston) and sit in 7th place in the Southern League Premier Central table, while the Blues are three points behind in 12th.

Leiston have been without a game for two weeks after losing 2-0 to AFC Telford and will be keen to get back into action as the games start to come quickly over the Christmas period.

FROM THE BLUES BOSS

BLUES boss Chris Wigger had this to say about the game: “The league is very tight; the play-offs are in touching distance for us and a host of clubs, so we need a positive result on Saturday and stay with the pack and that’s all we can ask for.

“Stourbridge have been in excellent form this season. We knew they would be up there with the strength of their squad, a new manager coming in having had experience with Rushall Olympic, so they were always going to attract good players. So, yes it will be a tough test.”

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

THE sides have met five times before in Suffolk, with Leiston winning just the once.

In December 2018, Stourbridge won 3-0 before, in February 2020, the Midlanders left with a narrow 1-0 win as the Blues languished near the bottom of the table. Leiston finally won a home game against Stourbridge in November 2021 as two Finlay Barnes goals helped them to the victory, with Stourbridge scoring a consolation goal in stoppage time.

In October 2022, the Blues drew 1-1 with Stourbridge, with Barnes on target once again, Stourbridge levelling with the last kick of the match.

In March this year, Stourbridge won 1-0 at Victory Road, despite finishing the game with nine men after Aaron Forde was sent off and goalscorer Ethan Freemantle hobbling off injured with the Glassboys having used all their substitutes.

FORM GUIDE
(starting with most recent game): -
BLUES: - LLWWD
STOURBRIDGE: - DDWDL

DID YOU KNOW?

STOURBRIDGE are known as 'The Glassboys', which is due to the traditional association with the cut glass industry in the town.

The town was listed in the 1255 Worcestershire assize roll as Sturzbrug or Sturesbridge. The medieval township was named for a bridge which crossed the River Stour.

The motto for Stourbridge is 'One Heart One Way' and has been emblazoned on Stourbridge's civic heraldy since 1917.

COMING UP

LEISTON are back at the Watson & Hillhouse Stadium on Tuesday night, as Ipswich Town visit in the Suffolk Premier Cup, 7.45pm kick-off, in what should be a very attractive game. They then head to Bishop’s Stortford next Saturday (21st December) before hosting Lowestoft Town (Thursday 26th December, 1pm kick off). The final game of this year sees Chris Wigger’s side head to Harborough Town on Saturday 28th December.

MINUTE'S SILENCE

THE club will be holding a minute's applause before kick-off for Gill Revell who sadly passed away last month. Gill had been a long servant to the LTAA for many years and all our thoughts go to Gill’s family at this sad time.

HALF-SEASON TICKET OFFER

MATCH INFORMATION
Blues v Stourbridge
Pitching In Southern League Premier Central
3pm kick off
Watson & Hillhouse Stadium, Victory Road, LTAA, Leiston, Suffolk, IP16 4DQ
Tel: - 01728 830308.

Admission Prices: Adults £12, Concessions £9 (over 65’s), Students (with ID) £7, U16’s £3, U5’s FOC.
Printed programme available on the turnstiles and in the ground: £2.50

GAME 19/42