LEISTON U23 first-team manager, Neil Smye, is looking forward to continuing to develop his young squad as the Blues entertain Haverhill Borough at Victory Road on Saturday afternoon, 3pm kick-off.

The Blues were defeated 0-3 at Diss Town in their opening Thurlow Nunn Division One North clash on Tuesday night, three second-half goals winning it for the Tangerines.

But Neil knows hard work and patience is necessary for his talented young squad.
"During pre-season some of the young players have been gaining first-team experience and putting in some good individual performances," Neil said.

"This, we hope, will give them the desire to build on this and aim to work hard so they are ready when the opportunity arises during the season.

"Progression to the first-team may not be instant. Hard work and patience is necessary and it's good to see the Club have made changes to its coaching structure to fully support our emerging young talent."

The Blues U23s finished 18th last season in Thurlow Nunn North. However, they did fantastically well to reach the Suffolk Senior Cup Final at Portman Road, in what was a memorable cup run.

This is the 11th season that the Blues second string have played at Step 6. Their highest-places finish is sixth in the 2015/2016 season.
Saturday's fixture is the start of a busy spell of eight league games in August for the U23s. Framlingham Town visit Victory Road on Tuesday night, before Whittlesey Athletic come to Suffolk next weekend. The Blues then head to Pinchbeck United and Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers respectively before finishing the month at home to FC Parson Drove and away to Stanway Pegasus.

Haverhill Borough have played two league games so far, beating Whittlesey Athletic 3-0 on the opening day of the season, before losing 1-3 at Stanway Pegasus in midweek.

Match Information
Blues U23’s v Haverhill Borough
Saturday, August 3
Thurlow Nunn First Division North
3pm kick off
Watson & Hillhouse Stadium, Victory Road, IP16 4DQ.
Tel: - 01728 830308.

Admission Prices
Adults £5
Concessions £3
Students £2
U16’s FOC.

Game 2/40.