LEISTON will be looking to make it third time lucky when they play in the final of the S1 Sport Suffolk Premier Cup at Portman Road tonight (kick-off 7pm).

Elvin King

LEISTON will be looking to make it third time lucky when they play in the final of the S1 Sport Suffolk Premier Cup at Portman Road tonight (kick-off 7pm).

The Ridgeons League Premier Division side were beaten on penalties by Lowestoft Town in 2006 and were hammered 8-0 by Ipswich Town 12 months ago.

They are up against a Needham Market side who will start favourites having reached the semi-final of the FA Vase and challenging for the league title.

Neither of these two sides has won this trophy before - with Needham appearing in their first final.

Managed by Carl Chenery, Leiston have plenty of Ipswich interest in their side with goalkeeper Jamie Stannard, defender Mark Goldfinch and midfielder Marc Lowe all based in the town and having agreed to stay with Leiston next season.

Needham manager Danny Laws is expecting a tough game, and he said: “Tonight's game gives everyone at the club, players, officials, and supporters the chance to enjoy a night out at Portman Road - and a break from a hectic league programme.”

“The league is still our priority and it will be a travesty if both Soham and ourselves do not achieve promotion this season.

“The Ridgeons League is without a doubt the strongest level five league in the country, you only have to look at the Ridgeons League record in the FA Vase to confirm that.”

League secretary Nigel Spurling has confirmed that just one team will be promoted to the next level by the FA, but Laws is hoping this is not so.

He added: “We will have to wait for the FA to make their decision once all leagues are completed.”

Needham have a full squad to select from with the exceptions of Mark Heath-Preston, Joby Thorogood, Dan Pilcher and Glenn Snell who are either cup tied or suspended.