LEISTON U23s boss Neil Smye says he is hoping his side can get 'back on track' as they young Blues head to AFC Sudbury Reserves this weekend in a Thurlow Nunn North clash, (3pm ko Saturday).

The Blues have lost their last two games, but there has been huge improvement and a mountain of positives to take from their start to the season, which has been impressive.

“After a disappointing performance and result against Stanway we are hoping to get back on track and raise our performance as individuals and as a team against Sudbury Reserves, and hopefully results will start to pick up again and we can build on our good start to the season," Smye said.

“A drop in performance from myself in how we set up and preparation for the game, and as a team, combined with individual errors and being outworked by the opposition meant for a tough day against Stanway. Lessons are learnt from these types of games, and after a discussion during training this week we move forward to the next game, with hopefully a stronger performance by all involved.

“A positive to come out of last weekend was that Ben Batho, Charlie Atkin, and Cameron Rayworth all featured in the first team's FA Cup game at home to Waltham Abbey. Also, the U18s began their journey in this season’s FA Youth Cup with a 4-2 home win over Hadleigh U18s."

The U18s will now travel to King's Lynn in the next round.

Last season, AFC Sudbury beat Leiston U23’s at Leiston 7-0 in just the second game of the season but in February, in the reverse fixture, the U23’s won 2-0 as they helped steer away relegation. Charlie Atkin and Ethan Oldman were both on target that day for the Blues.

Hosts AFC Sudbury Reserves are sitting 17th at present, winning one, drawing two and losing four of their seven league fixtures.

Looking at other youth sides within the Club, Smye added: “On the same night our U18s beat Hadleigh, our newly-formed EJA 13s team travelled to Felixstowe and Walton to play their first game of the season in the Floodlit Cup. A solid performance from the youngsters saw them run out 4-1 winners. This weekend sees the start of the league campaign for all the EJA Teams and also our newly formed girls teams. We wish them all the best of luck."

After this weekend, the U23’s will host three games in a row. Two of them in the league against Whitton United and Needham Market U23’s, while squeezed in between is a Suffolk Senior Cup First Round match at home to Old Newton United (Sat 21st Sep). The U23’s end the last weekend of the month with a trip to FC Peterborough.

Match Information
AFC Sudbury v Blues U23’s
Thurlow Nunn First Division North
3pm kick off
The MEL Group Stadium, Brundon Lane, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 1XR.
Tel: - 01787 376213.

Admission Prices: Adults £6, Concessions £4, U16’s FOC.

Game 9/38.