LEISTON chairman Andy Crisp is hoping for a lucrative FA Vase run following his side's disappointing early exit from the FA Cup.The Suffolk side went on a money-spinning run to the FA Cup first round last season, however they were knocked out at the first hurdle this time around with an extra preliminary round defeat to Dereham Town back in August.

Stuart Watson

LEISTON chairman Andy Crisp is hoping for a lucrative FA Vase run following his side's disappointing early exit from the FA Cup.

The Suffolk side went on a money-spinning run to the FA Cup first round last season, however they were knocked out at the first hurdle this time around with an extra preliminary round defeat to Dereham Town back in August.

Crisp admits the club had budgeted for further progression in the famous club competition and that now, from a business perspective, a Vase run is all-important.

Leiston - currently second in the Ridgeons League Premier Division - host a Daventry side that top the United Counties League Premier Division with 17 wins from 19 today in the third round.

“When we planned our budget at the start of the season we did take into consideration a good cup run,” said Crisp.

“The FA Cup run provided us with a big windfall last year and subsequently the manager (Carl Chenery) was able to bring some really good players in and strengthen the squad.

“Unfortunately we exited the FA Cup early to a good Dereham side this season, so a good Vase run would balance the books somewhat. We are therefore putting a certain amount of pressure on ourselves to progress.

“From a business perspective we do have a plan B, but this is quite an important stage of our progression as a club.”

Ridgeons League clubs have until December 31 to put forward their applications for promotion at the end of this season. Crisp confirmed that Leiston will be doing that - although they would only accept promotion if it were to the Ryman League and not the Zamaretto League.

“We are an ambitious non-league club,” said Crisp. “But if we want to progress then we will need the continued support of our local businesses and the supporters through our gate. With us being the only Suffolk side at home then hopefully we will get a good crowd tomorrow.”

Elsewhere in the FA Vase today, Kirkley & Pakefield have a good chance to progress when they travel to Hertfordshire to face Spartan South Midlands Division One side Hoddesdon Town.

Hoddesdon - the first ever winners of the Vase - play at step six of the non-league pyramid and face a tough task against a Kirkley side that are back to full strength today.

Joint managers Stuart Larter and Jon Reynolds welcome back the influential quartet of Justin Fox (thigh injury), Robert Woodcock (holiday), Nathan Stone (suspension) and Liam Harvey-Cooper (holiday) following their unavailability last weekend.

Elsewhere, Stanway Rovers also travel to Hertfordshire to face Spartan South Midlands Premier Division side Royston Town.