OVERVIEW

LEISTON will look to make it three successive home victories when they entertain St Ives Town this weekend.

The Blues' impressive 1-0 win at home to Stratford Town last Saturday moved Leiston up to 8th in the league table, just four points off Halesowen Town in fourth place. Another home win on Saturday will push them ever closer to the play-off picture.

St Ives Town, meanwhile, gained an excellent home win over Stourbridge (3-1) to move up to 12th place. Jernade Meade, Ethan Creary and Joshua Allen were all on target for St Ives in a result that will have given them a big boost.

Blues defender Cameron Rayworth could return to the fold after serving a one game suspension, while Ben Fowkes should be fit after coming off at half-time last weekend against Stratford Town.

Leiston beat St Ives 3-1 earlier in the season in Cambridgeshire. Arron Smith opened the scoring after just four minutes for St Ives, but Jamar Loza levelled before the break and then scored again to put the Blues in front on the hour mark. Albie Armin finished the game off for the Blues in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS IN SUFFOLK

March 2019: Leiston 0-2 St Ives Town

October 2019: Leiston 4-4 St Ives Town
(Tom Woerndl, Louie Bloom, Josh Cheetham, Noel Atkins).

October 2021: Leiston 3-1 St Ives Town
(Will Davies (2), Jake Hutchings)

January 2023: Leiston 1-0 St Ives Town
(Will Davies)

September 2023: Leiston 1-1 St Ives Town
(Ross Crane)

FORM GUIDE
(Starting with most recent game)

BLUES: W D L W W

ST IVES TOWN: W L L L D

THOUGHTS IN THE BLUES CAMP

LEISTON goalkeeper had this to say ahead of Saturday's clash with St Ives Town: “We don’t spend too much time worrying about where other teams are in the league or how they’ve been getting on, as the league is so tight.

"We feel it’s best to focus on us and keep our momentum going. The play-offs feel within touching distance and that’s a nice goal for us to work towards."

FUN FACTS ON ST IVES

THE earliest recorded population of St Ives was about 300 in 1086, estimated from the Domesday Book. The current population is approximately 17,000.

St Ives has a statue of Oliver Cromwell in its town square. It is one of four statues of Cromwell, who was an English statesman and politician, on public display in Britain, the others being in Parliament Square, London, outside Wythenshawe Hall, and Warrington.

The football club, St Ives Town was formed just seven years after Leiston in 1887.

COMING UP FOR BLUES

THE Blues visit Bromsgrove Sporting next weekend (Sat 18th Jan, 3pm kick off) before hosting Hitchin Town (Sat 25th Jan, 3pm kick off).
They finish the month with a trip to Hertfordshire to face Biggleswade Town (Tues 28th Jan, 7.45pm kick off).

MATCH INFORMATION
Blues v St Ives Town
Pitching In Southern League Premier Central Division
Saturday, January 11, 3pm kick off
Watson & Hillhouse Stadium, Victory Road, Leiston, IP16 4DQ
Tel: 01728 830308

Corporate Match Sponsors: FLICK & SON (COAST AND COUNTRY)

Match Sponsors: LFC SUPPORTERS

Admission Prices: Adults £12, Concessions (over 65’s) £9, Students (with ID) £7, Under 16’s £3, Under 5’s Free of charge.
Printed matchday programme: 44 pages, £2.50, available on the turnstiles and in the ground.

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