LEISTON'S U23s entertain Needham Market’s youngsters tonight in league action at the Watson & Hillhouse Stadium, Victory Road.

The Blues U23’s have dropped to 12th after recent league results but still have won five out of their opening 10 league games.

Charlie Atkin’s penalty just after the half hour mark on Saturday secured the U23’s passage into Round 2 of this season’s Suffolk Senior Cup. (The draw for the next round has yet to be conducted).

The U23’s finished above Needham Market Reserves last season, with Leiston coming fourth from bottom and Needham finishing bottom. But it was Needham who won both games against Leiston.

At Leiston in August 2023, Needham won 3-2. A Seth Chambers hat-trick put Needham three goals up but Leiston fought back with goals from Jake Spooner and Cameron Young.

At Bloomfields in December 2023, Needham Market, who played under the 23’s banner last season at Step 6, won 2-1. Ollie Fraser and Lucas Vance were on target for the hosts while Dion Dozzell scored the Blues goal.

Leiston have won two out of their last three games at home against Needham in the league (the other was a draw) and beat Needham 4-2 on penalties after the tie had finished 2-2 in October 2020 in the Suffolk Senior Cup.

Needham are currently 18th, (third from bottom) and lost in the Suffolk Senior Cup on spot kicks at Bungay Town at the weekend. The game had finished 0-0 in normal time.

The Blues U23’s finish September with a trip to FC Peterborough at the weekend.

They have five league games in October. Playing three games at home (against AFC Sudbury Reserves, Stanway Pegasus and Haverhill Rovers) while away from home they visit Swaffham Town and FC Parson Drove.

Neil Smye said: -

“Last season the U23’s had a good run in the Suffolk Senior Cup reaching the final at Portman Road. This season saw them given a tough draw at home to Old Newton, current leaders of the SIL, in the first round. A solid performance saw them through to the next round with a convincing win.
Charlie Atkin scoring the only goal of the game.
The young Leiston team controlled large parts of the game through retaining possession, and probably should have scored more than the one goal. A solid defensive display meant the one goal was enough, with Old Newton rarely threatening the Leiston goal. After a good start to the season results wise in the league we’ve had a sticky patch. Hopefully we can build on Saturdays cup win and turn around results when Needham Market visit Victory Road tonight.”

Match Information
Blues U23’s v Needham Market Reserves
Thurlow Nunn First Division North
7.45pm kick off
Watson & Hillhouse Stadium, Victory Road, Leiston, IP16 4DZ
Tel: - 01728 830308.

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

Game 11/38.