A big week is in store for Leiston as they aim to keep their season alive and push for a play-off place, writes Craig Cooper.

East Anglian Daily Times: Matt Blake scored Leiston's winner against Wingate earlier in the season. Photos: JOHN HEALDMatt Blake scored Leiston's winner against Wingate earlier in the season. Photos: JOHN HEALD (Image: Archant)

Tomorrow afternoon, they welcome Wingate & Finchley to Victory Road, while on Tuesday evening they host Tonbridge Angels and next weekend they travel to Staines Town.

The Blues currently sit in seventh place in the league, three points off Hendon in fifth in what is the final play-off spot, so can’t afford any slip-ups on the back of the 3-1 win over Kingstonian last weekend.

“On a difficult pitch, it was very pleasing to come away with all three points last Saturday against Kingstonian,’ said Leiston boss Glen Driver.

“We started the game well, scoring an early goal, but never really pushed on until the second half. We managed the game well and added two more goals for a deserved 3-1 victory. To come away with another away win was very satisfying.”

Earlier in the season in January, Leiston beat Wingate away 1-0 thanks to a Matt Blake strike. However, in the last two seasons, Wingate have done the double on Leiston both times.

At Victory Road last season, Joe Francis scored with virtually the last kick of the game but Leiston went down 2-1. The three previous games before that were all won 1-0 by the London club.

Driver said: “Wingate will prove a tough test and are still in with a chance of the play-offs themselves, be we must continue our run to give ourselves a chance.

“A full squad available certainly helps and will give us options to change personnel to suit systems we want to play.”

The Reserves travel to Diss Town in the Thurlow Nunn First Division tomorrow afternoon, for their first match in 10 days. The Reserves currently sit in 11th position, while Diss are in 17th place.

On Thursday evening, the U18’s beat Felixstowe & Walton in the league. All the goals were netted in the first half as Adam Blades, Lukas Darling and Jac Garrard were all on the scoresheet.

They now sit in second place, one point behind Whitton United but with four games in hand. The U18’s host Framlingham Town next Thursday, and travel to Felixstowe in two weeks time.