The Two Blues of Leiston and Grays Athletic meet again on Tuesday evening after Saturday's FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round tie finished goalless. The replay will take place at Leiston's Flannery Stadium with kick off at 7.45pm.

Saturday's game was a tense affair, played on a difficult surface. Leiston showed why they are a Step 3 side, making the pitch very small and forcing Grays into a long game which is not normally our preferred way of playing.

Noel Aitkens and Ben Batho had particularly good games for the visitors, with Grays back four and Danny Sambridge deserving of praise, in achieving our first clean sheet of this campaign, and this against our best opponents.

There were chances at both ends with neither side being quite clinical enough. Leiston hit the woodwork twice and forced Danny into a couple of good saves, with Grays off target with several presentable opportunities in each half.

It is often said that a club at a lower level only gets one chance to win a cup tie against higher opposition, but we will wait and see. There was enough to give Mitch Hahn and his team encouragement for the replay, but also some warning signs to heed, especially in terms of losing possession too cheaply and inviting pressure from the opposition.

Following Monday lunchtime's draw for the 2nd Qualifying Round, the winners of this tie will be away to either Biggleswade Town or Hitchin Town, with the match due to be played on the weekend of 19th/20th September.

Please remember, if the tie is still all square after 90 minutes, then 30 minutes of extra time will be played and if we still can't be separated, then we go to a penalty shoot out.

Getting There

There will be a supporters coach travelling up to Leiston on Tuesday. Please check our socials for details and how to book your seat.

If you are making your own way up, then the postcode for the Flannery Stadium is IP16 4DQ.

The route is familiar to anyone who has joined us at Lowestoft in recent seasons; take the A12 up to junction with the A14. Head East towards Felixstowe, crossing the Orwell Bridge, before exiting at junction 58, the A12 heading toward Lowestoft.

Follow this to the new roundabout after the village of Farnham and take the A1094 (2nd exit, unless they have changed it since April!). Follow this down for several kms until a left hand turning on to the B1069, signposted Leiston.

Take this road into Leiston and Victory Road is on the left straight after the zebra crossing. The stadium car park is another left off of Victory Road. The car park is at the Waterloo Centre, Waterloo Avenue, Leiston IP16 4HF. (Please note that there is no general parking at the ground).

You can also ignore the "Road Closed" signs in place near the club, as the closure is beyond the ground.

The journey from Grays is circa 91 miles depending on how you get to the A12 and should take just under 2 hours with a clear run. It would be sensible to allow a bit longer in case of traffic problems and if you are early, then enjoy the facilities at the ground.

Away The Ath!!