Leiston not fazed by meeting Needham
LEISTON joint manager Chris Wigger is not fazed by facing Needham Market in the Endeavour Automotive Suffolk Premier Cup Semi-Finals.
Tuesday night’s match between the two sides will be their fourth of the season, after meeting in the FA Cup as well as playing each other twice in Pitching in Southern League Premier Central
Needham won the first qualifying round FA Cup-tie in September, but Leiston emerged victorious in both league games courtesy of late winning goals.
The two teams go head-to-head again on Tuesday at Stowmarket Town FC (kick-off 7.45pm) in a repeat of last season’s final, which Needham won 5-4 on penalties following a goalless draw.
Asked if he would have rather have avoided Needham in the last four of this season’s competition, Wigger replied: “No. Teams earn their place in a semi-final and cup competitions mean that it is whoever does the job on the day, so we go into the tie on the understanding that we have to turn up on the day against Needham in the semi-final and we have just got to out-perform them.
“I wouldn’t want to go into the game thinking it could have been Bury or Stowmarket – it is who it is, it’s a game of football and it’s up to us to win it.
“We won the recent league game against them, but I said to the lads don’t over-celebrate, it is three points which keeps us moving forward in the league.
“I said to them don’t give Needham anything to cling on to and to take into the semi-final, it is a separate game and whoever is going to win that is going to win it on its own merits.
“It’s completely separate to the league – the cup is the cup, it’s bragging rights and I would love to win my first piece of silverware at Leiston and currently Needham are standing in the way.
“They are a fantastic side and we are going to have our work cut out to beat them.”
Leiston have enjoyed a superb season in the league, and are guaranteed at least a third-place finish, meaning they will have home advantage in their play-off semi-final as well as still retaining an outside chance of winning the title.
Wigger continued: “I have never been at a football club and not won anything in three years, but what we have achieved this year is fantastic.
“We always said year three would be the year and we are over 30 points ahead of our Suffolk rivals (Needham Market) in the league, which is fantastic for us, and that means a lot to everyone at the football club.”
In the final the winners will play either Bury Town or Stowmarket Town, who meet in the second semi-final at Needham Market FC on Wednesday, kick-off 7.45pm.
Action is pictured above from last season's final between Leiston (blue shirts) and Needham Market (red shirts) at Colchester United FC. Leiston joint manager Chris Wigger is pictured looking on in the centre, with Needham Market manager Kevin Horlock on the far right.
Midweek Fixtures
Tuesday
Endeavour Automotive Suffolk Premier Cup Semi-Final: Needham Market v Leiston at Stowmarket Town (7.45pm).
Wednesday
Endeavour Automotive Suffolk Premier Cup Semi-Final: Stowmarket Town v Bury Town at Needham Market FC (7.45pm).
