Leiston in home action, and FA Trophy draw is made

The Blues are fresh from a 4-0 home success over Halesowen Town on Saturday, where Jake Reed, Byron Lawrence, Matt Blake (penalty) and Christy Finch (penalty) were all on target.

That was the perfect way to bounce back from their previous league outing, a disappointing 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Barwell, although earlier last month they had raised a few eyebrows by becoming the first side to take points off leaders Kettering, with a 2-1 away win in mid-September.

The Poppies have won eight of their first nine games, and so still look in pole position to claim the title, but Glenn Driver’s Leiston have only lost a couple of games themselves and are well-placed in fourth.

King’s Lynn were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Stratford Town last weekend, and have so far picked up just nine points from nine games.

In other league games tomorrow night, BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT face a tough challenge away at Enfield Town in the Bostik Premier.

Enfield have lost just one of their first 10 games, and are in the top five, while Tom Rothery’s Brightlingsea have managed two wins to date from 10 games, although Billy Hunt did net an injury-time equaliser via a 94th minute penalty in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Brighton-based Whitehawk.

In the Thurlow Nunn Premier, Hadleigh United entertain Brantham Athletic, while FC Clacton play host to Buckingham Athletic in an FA Vase replay.

Meanwhile, the draw for the first qualifying round of the FA Trophy was made this lunchtime.

Leiston have been drawn away to VCD Athletic, while Needham Market have also been handed an away tie, at Kings Langley.

Mildenhall Town, though, will enjoy home advantage against Greenwich Borough, as will Lowestoft at home to Enfield. Maldon & Tiptree will entertain Royston Town.

Brightlingsea Regent are at Canvey Island, while Witham Town have also been drawn away, at Herne Bay.