FORMER Woodbridge Town winger Joe Francis is convinced Leiston can make history and beat Fleetwood in the FA Cup.Leiston and Bury Town, who play at Alfreton, will be in the national media spotlight when they in the first round of the cup on Saturday.

Mike Bacon

FORMER Woodbridge Town winger Joe Francis is convinced Leiston can make history and beat Fleetwood in the FA Cup.

Leiston and Bury Town, who play at Alfreton, will be in the national media spotlight when they in the first round of the cup on Saturday.

King's Lynn striker Francis, a former triallist with Ipswich Town, knows a thing or two about Leiston and Fleetwood.

Having played many times in the Ridgeons League against the Victory Road side, he was in the Lynn team that beat Fleetwood 1-0 earlier this season in a league encounter.

Leiston's task won't be easy and Francis says they must get at the Blue Square North side from the off.

But he is confident the Suffolk side can come out on top.

“When we beat Fleetwood we got at them from the start,” Francis said. “In the first half we created a number of chances, but didn't take them. In the end we got a goal about 20 minutes from time. They are a strong and fit sides, as all sides at their level are.

“But if Leiston can beat Lewes, they can beat Fleetwood. They must show the same attitude they have in all their FA cup games up to now.

“It's important they don't let Fleetwood settle down, if they make life hard for them Fleetwood won't like it. Personally I think Leiston will win.”

Meanwhile, the biggest week in Leiston's history continues to gear up nicely, as players, officials and fans of the Victory Road side look forward to Saturday.

The Blue Square North side will travel from their north-west base buoyed by a 1-0 victory against Hinckley on Saturday in front of nearly 1,000 home fans.

In that game former Ipswich Town defender George Santos played a starring role, although he will not be involved on Saturday as he is cup-tied.

The Hinckley match was watched by Leiston coach Ian Smith who will no doubt be fully aware what is required from his side.

Meanwhile Leiston shopkeepers are being encouraged to “Paint The Town Blue” this week, in a bid to whip up FA Cup fever as the club searches for a money-spinning victory that would guarantee £20,000 and much, much more if the right draw came along.

Tickets for Saturday's clash at Leiston are available from the football club in Victory Road, from 7pm each night up until Friday. They are also available from the reception at Sizewell Power Station and at Nick's Hairdressers in Saxmundham.

The game is not all-ticket. But prices are £8 adult and £4 concessions before Saturday, £10 and £5 on the day.