Leiston play Tamworth for the first time in their history on Saturday afternoon as the Staffordshire side make the long trip to Suffolk in a Southern League clash, writes Craig Cooper.

The Blues will be trying to bounce back from last weekend’s disappointing 1-0 defeat to Banbury United, ‘The Lambs’ are currently sitting in 20th place, third from bottom in the early league standings with one point from their opening three matches.

“Going into the season we were obviously a little bit unaware of what other sides were like so that was difficult to take into consideration,” captain Tom Bullard said.

“It’s been a decent start to the season with two wins, but we were disappointed with our performance on Saturday against Banbury United as it was below par for our standards.”

Bullard, who is one game away from making 150 league appearances for the Blues, is unavailable for this weekend’s clash against Tamworth but will be looking to reach that milestone on Bank Holiday Monday where a trip to Bloomfields against Needham Market awaits in a local derby.

Leiston will be buoyant as Byron Lawrence returned to the club on Wednesday and will go straight into the squad for this afternoon’s match.

Bullard admitted: “It’s a big boost to the squad to have Byron back, it’s going to be another two tough games against Tamworth and then Needham Market on Monday. We go into the both games confident and the aim once again must be to push for the play-offs.”

Joe Jefford, who Bullard plays with alongside in central defence, will be hoping to make his 300th league appearance for the club this afternoon. JJ has been a virtual ever present in the back line for Leiston for a long time now, and he is now into his eighth season at Leiston.

Meanwhile, the Reserves make the long trip to March Town United this afternoon looking for their second league win of the season. Last week they went down 2-1 to Downham Town, with Owen Hammond netting.

The U18’s put their first points on the board this season with a 2-2 draw at home to Stowmarket Town on Thursday evening. Owen Pierce and Witness Mhango were on target as the visitors scored late on to rescue a point.