Leiston’s defeat on Saturday to Harborough meant they slipped down a place in the league to 9th, while Royston Town moved above Leiston into 8th after beating AFC Sudbury and have been on a good run of form, winning four of their last six league games.

Chris Wigger is hoping to have both George Quantrell and Fraser Alexander back after they missed the defeat to Harborough Town.

Leiston beat Royston Town 2-0 back in August as the Blues recorded their first league victory of the campaign. George Quantrell netted a goal in both halves as Harvey Beckett saw red for a second bookable offence for Royston at the beginning of the second period.

Leiston have played six matches at Garden Walk in their history, losing just the once, that was last season when Royston Town won 4-2 on Bank Holiday Monday at the back end of the 2023/2024 campaign. Quantrell and Jamar Loza had put the side 2-1 up but Royston netted three late goals to take the points.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

The two teams first met in the FA Vase in November 2010, with the sides drawing 2-2 after extra time. Michael Brothers and David Head scored for the Blues and Gareth Heath was sent off.

In the replay three days later, the Blues won 1-0 thanks to Heath’s early strike. Leiston went on the beat Hythe Town (3-1, H), Guildford City (6-2, A AET), Long Bucky (2-1, H) in the competition before losing 1-0 at Coalville Town in the quarter-finals.

The sides first met in the league in August 2018 in the second game of the season. The Blues won 5-2, after failing behind early on. Goals from Patrick Brothers, Christy Finch, Seb Dunbar, Jake Reed and Matt Blake saw Leiston to a very good win on the night.

In December 2019, and with Royston Town near the top end of the table and Leiston bottom, the Blues gained a creditable 0-0 draw in Hertfordshire on a cold night while in January 2022, the Blues won 2-1 after coming from behind with two late goals virtue of Finlay Barnes and Adam Mills.

Leiston drew 1-1 in August 2022 with the ‘Crows’, with Will Davies scoring a penalty in stoppage time to earn a late point.

FORM GUIDE: -
(Most recent first).
ROYSTON TOWN: - WWLWL
BLUES: - LWWLL

FUN FACTS

As of 2021, Royston’s population is 17,448.

Famous people to live in Royston include trumpeter Alison Balsom, Blues singer/guitarist Danny Bryant and singing coach Carrie Grant.

COMING UP FOR LEISTON

THE Blues entertain Stratford Town and St Ives Town in the league in the next two Saturday’s before heading to Bromsgrove Sporting on Saturday 18th January. They finish the month at home to Hitchin Town (Sat 25th Jan).

MATCH INFORMATION
Royston Town v Blues
Pitching In Southern League Central Premier
1pm kick off
Garden Walk, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 7HP
Tel: - 01763 241204.

Admission Prices
Online: - Adults £11, Concessions £7 (over 65’s), U16’s £3
On the gate: - Adults £12, Concessions (over 65’s) £8, U16’s 4.

Game 23/42.