Felixstowe & Walton United Squad March 2019

Boss not concerned by losing streak

FELIXSTOWE will play in their first Suffolk Premier Cup Final since 2014 on Wednesday.

MANAGER Ian Watson is not too concerned by his Felixstowe & Walton United side’s four-match losing streak ahead of this season’s KBB NEFF Suffolk Premier Cup Final.

Felixstowe & Walton United, who will be appearing in their first final since 2014, take on higher-league Leiston, who are also the holders, at Portman Road on Wednesday, kick-off 7.30pm.

The Seasiders enjoyed a successful first season in Bostik League North, ending a respectable 11th after a sixth-placed finish appeared a possibility, but lost all of their final four fixtures.

Watson said: “To be honest, in only one of the four – against Coggeshall Town – did we deserve to get anything out of the game.

“For all four games we had a few injuries and knocks and wanted to rotate the squad in order for them to get game time and keep everyone fit for the cup final, and the players probably had one eye on the final themselves. If you forget the last four games we have still had a good season in our first year at this level.”

Opponents Leiston endured a terrible run-in, failing to register a single win in their last 11 league games to slip to one place above the relegation zone in the Evo-Stik League Premier Division Central.

Watson said: “Both sides will be going into the final after a poor run of league results, but it’s a one-off game and both sides like to play football. They won the cup last year and will be favourites to win it again, but we are going there to enjoy ourselves and give them a good game.”

The final will see former Woodbridge Town and Lowestoft Town wide man Joe Francis make his final appearance before retiring against the side he joined the Seasiders from.

Watson said: “He has been a fantastic Non-League player over the years. I have only managed him for the last two years, but he been absolutely brilliant and was pivotal to us winning promotion last season.

“This season he has struggled with injuries and as a result with his fitness and with his business going well, Joe has decided it is time to give his body a rest.”

Watson added: “We have two or three players who have niggles, but we should have a full squad of 18 to choose from which means a couple of them will unfortunately miss out on the night.”

Admission to the final will be £12 for adults, £6 for concessions (over 65 or in full-time education) and £1 for children under the age of 12.

A souvenir programme, priced £1, will be on sale inside the ground.

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