FELIXSTOWE & Walton United manager Stuart Boardley views the Endeavour Automotive Suffolk Premier Cup Semi-Final versus Leiston as a ‘good marker’ of his side’s Step 3 credentials.

The Seasiders, who play a level below their opponents, face Leiston in the last-four tie at Ipswich Wanderers’ Humber Doucy Lane ground on Tuesday, kick-off 7.45pm.

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Currently occupying second position in Isthmian North, Felixstowe are aiming to earn promotion to Step 3 come the end of this season.

Boardley, who had a distinguished career with Leiston and also managed the first team, said: “It’s been a long time coming as the draw was made a while ago, but I am looking forward to playing against Chris (Wigger) and Darren’s (Eadie) Leiston side.

“They are higher level opposition, so it is a good opportunity to test ourselves against a team higher in the pyramid.

“I wish it had come perhaps not in a run of games when we are playing against top opposition so we are able to give it a bit more of a go, but of course we will put out a good side against Leiston and give it our best shot.

“It will be a good marker about where we are at as a group because we will be playing against a well-established Leiston side at Step 3.”

Although they lost 1-0 at home to Stourbridge at the weekend, Leiston sit tenth in Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central.

Boardley, whose side were held to a goalless draw by Heybridge Swifts on Saturday, said: “Much like us they have got quite a small squad, so when you do get injuries it can hit you hard.

“They had a sticky start to the season, but have picked up of late, and although they lost on Saturday they have been doing quite well.”

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The two sides met in the final of this competition at Portman Road in the 2018-19 season when Matt Blake scored a hat-trick as Leiston won 3-2.

Boardley said of the possibility of reaching the final: “It would be great. I remember playing against Felixstowe in the final for Leiston when I was manager there.

“The support that Felixstowe brought has always stood with me and I remember that, so hopefully, fingers crossed, we can get there and do the same again.”

Felixstowe will be without long-term injury victims Tom Bullard (minor operation), Charlie Warren (broken arm) and Joe Whight (ankle ligaments).

Felixstowe & Walton United (red shirts) defend a set piece in their 2-0 win at home to Walthamstow (patterned shirts) at The AGL Arena last month.