WITH the build-up over, Leiston boss Carl Chenery knows it's now down to him to rally his troops ahead of today's FA Cup first round clash with Blue Square North side Fleetwood Town, at Victory Road, 3pm.

Mike Bacon

WITH the build-up over, Leiston boss Carl Chenery knows it's now down to him to rally his troops ahead of today's FA Cup first round clash with Blue Square North side Fleetwood Town, at Victory Road, 3pm.

On any other day Leiston's hopes of victory over a team three steps higher up the pyramid, would seem mission impossible.

But having already knocked out Carlshalton of the Ryman Premier League in an earlier round, and more dramatically beating Blue Square Premier Lewes after a replay 10 days ago, Chenery knows the goalposts have been moved, the expectations are higher.

“I think this game is going to be our toughest yet,” Chenery said.

“And yet, after our win at Lewes, I sense expectations have risen.

“Of course that's understandable, but we must remember we are still massive underdogs for this game.

“We have had them watched and we know what they are like. They will be physical, strong and well organised. We've simply got to match that.

“One thing I would like to see is us get at them from the start. Against Lewes we paid them far too much respect and we didn't get going from the start.

“I want to see us match them all round the park at the off.”

Chenery has come along way in a short space on time as a manager who only took over as boss this time last year.

Following in the footsteps of former Ipswich Town and Spurs star Jason Dozzell could have fazed some. But not Chenery, who has long links with Leiston as a player.

He knows what it's like to play on big stages and knows only too well there is only so much he can do on match day.

“We'll train well and be organised. But a lot of my job on the day will be to mentor the players, talk to them.

“For a club like ours, this Cup run has been huge. It's thanks to the players for having the right type of mentality. They believe in their ability and in their capability to get results.

"When you're in the extra preliminary round, you don't look that far ahead to the first round proper. You merely take it round by round and the confidence builds. Once you're two rounds away, you start believing a bit more.

"The key was our second qualifying round at Carshalton. We won 2-1 in the last minute and players realised they could win at places from a higher level."

Chenery will be missing Stuart Boardley, who is suspended and he is sweating on the fitness of Tes Bramble, who is likely to get a place on the bench.

New signing Simon Head from Brantham is another who is likely to start on the bench.

Today's victors get £20,000 and if a replay is needed (there is no extra-time today), it will be on Tuesday week, November 18, in Fleetwood.

Today's game is not all ticket and a crowd in excess of 1,000 is expected at Victory Road.

Today's squads

Leiston: Jamie Stannard (GK), Brett Girling, Shane Wardley, David Head (C ), Mark Goldfinch, Marc Lowe, Luke Eagle, Simon Head, Justyn Chenery, Lee Mcglone, Blake Saker, Chris Sillett, Joe Button, Daniel Morphew, Kelsey Trotter, James Ellis (GK).

Fleetwood: Danny Hurst (GK), Keiran Walmsley, Sean Webb, Nathan Pond, Richard Mercer, Warren Beattie, Mathew Kay, Jamie Milligan (C), Adam Warlow, Andy Bell, Kevin Leadbetter, Mark Peers, Ashley Dunn, Colin Potts, Steve Foster, John Hills, Farrell Kilbane, Mike Hale (GK).

mike.bacon@archant.co.uk

IN FACT FILE

Leiston and Fleetwood's Road to Wembley . . . so far

LEISTON

Extra Preliminary Round: Leiston 2 (Cunningham, Saker) Blackstones 1

Preliminary Round: March Town United 1 Leiston 3 (Boardley (pen), McGlone, Cunningham)

First Round Qualifying: Cornard United 0 Leiston 5 (McGlone (3), Girling, Cunningham)

Second Round Qualifying: Carshalton Athletic 1 Leiston 2 (McGlone, Sillett)

Third Round Qualifying: Leiston 1 (Boardley (pen)) Coalville Town 0

Fourth Round Qualifying: Leiston 1 (Cunningham) Lewes 1

Fourth Round Qualifying Replay: Lewes 1 Leiston 3 (Boardley (2), Eagle)

ALFRETON

Second Round Qualifying: Wakefield 0 Fleetwood 3 (Warlow, Milligan, Potts)

Third Round Qualifying: Fleetwood 2 (Bell, Mercer) Frickley 0

Fourth Round Qualifying: Fleetwood 4 (Bell (3), Pond), Nantwich 3

LEISTON - WHO ARE YA?

Population 5,500

The Leiston Film Theatre is the oldest purpose-built cinema in Suffolk.

If the nuclear power station ever blew up, Leiston will be the first town to suffer the full force!

Actors Rebecca De Mornay and Tom Conti both attended Summerhill School in Leiston.

Ipswich Town striker of the 50s and early 60s, Ted Phillips, lived in Leiston. He scored 40 goals in one season, making him the Football League's top scorer as well as winning the Division One championship with Town in 1961/62.

Bill Nighy and Diana Quick live just outside Leiston