Leiston have won their last three games on the bounce in all competitions, with wins at home to an Ipswich Town XI in the Suffolk Premier Cup and at Bishop’s Stortford last weekend, before getting a great 7-2 result at home to Lowestoft Town on Boxing Day.

George Quantrell’s double took the Blues player to 15 for the season while Jamar Loza’s hat-trick sees him on to 18 goals. Ben Fowkes' single strike was his eighth of the campaign while defender Kyran Clements headed home his fifth goal.

The win on Boxing Day meant Leiston moved up to eighth in the table, three points off fifth spot and five points off fourth position.

Leiston chould have Ollie Yun back in the squad after missing the last couple of matches with injury while Eddie Jackson could also feature. However, manager Chris Wigger has seen injuries begin to clear up for the Blues, while those stepping up have down well.

Harborough, meanwhile, are 18th, having taken 24 points from 21 games so far. They enjoyed a great FA Cup run earlier in the season, reaching the second round proper.

Their run began with a win over Darlaston Town 3-2 away in a replay after drawing 0-0 at home, before beating Stourbridge 4-2 in the next round then Leamington 1-0 in the third round qualifying.

The Leicestershire club beat Bury 1-0 at home to reach the first round proper, where they won 4-1 in Kent against Tonbridge Angels. Their cup run came to an end when they lost 5-3 after extra-time in the second round at League One Reading.

THOUGHTS FROM THE BLUES COACH

LEISTON head coach, Lee Norfolk spoke ahead of the game: “We go to Harborough expecting a determined display from our opponents. It’s a 4G pitch, but we believe we can go there and try and dominate possession and get a grip of the game like we did at Bishop’s Stortford last week.

“If we do that, we should create chances. We said that we needed to be around the top seven or eight by the turn of the year and we hope the next two games will yield the points to get into the front pack and in the hunt for play-off places come April.”

PREVIOUS MEETING

THE two team have only met once before, earlier this season. Harborough travelled to Suffolk in mid August where the game finished 1-1. Ben Stephens put the away side in front on 14 minutes but Leiston levelled moments after half time through George Quantrell.

FORM GUIDE
(Most recent game first).
HARBOROUGH TOWN: - DLWLW
BLUES: - WWLLL.

FUN FACTS

A MARKET was established in Harborough in 1204 and has been held on a Tuesday ever since 1221.

Harborough figures nationally in 1645 in the English Civil War, when it became Headquarters of the King’s Army.

Famous People From Market Harborough, include Martin Johnson (rugby), George Aldridge (boxer), Geoffrey Betts (musician).

COMING UP FOR LEISTON

THE BLUES begin 2025 with a trip to Royston Town on New Year's Day (Wednesday 1st January, 1pm kick off) before hosting Stratford Town (Sat 4th Jan) and St Ives Town (Sat 11th Jan) on consecutive Saturdays. The Blues head to Bromsgrove Sporting on Saturday 18th January before hosting Hitchin Town on Saturday 25th January.

MATCH INFORMATION

Harborough Town v Blues
Pitching In Southern League Central Premier
3pm kick off
Harborough Town Community Football Ground, Northampton Road, Market Harborough, LE16 9HF.
Tel: - 01858 469352.

Admission Prices:- Adults £12, Concessions £6 (over 65’s), U16’s £2.

Game 22/42.