First Win For Blues - Leiston vs. Hitchin Town

Leiston getting in to the box early on

I'd always wanted to visit Leiston but had been put off by the complexity of the trip but after actually looking in to the detail, it turned out to be relativity straight forward. Leiston were yet to win in the league this season and this weekend they were playing second from bottom Hitchin Town so this seemed the perfect time to visit. Hitchin Town's brilliant Top Field is a must visit and there aren't many other grounds like it, I had planned to visit this pre season but the plan never came to fruition. Leiston had an eventful match on Tuesday night where they drew four all with St Ives.

Kick off at the soon to be aptly named Victory Road

Hitchin have a lucky escape early as a drilled cross hits a couple of players but goes wide of danger and their first chance of the game is a free kick that goes harmlessly into the wall. Leiston take a deserved lead when then the forward is played in on goal before confidently finishing past the onrushing keeper. An absolute bullet header from a corner doubles Leiston's lead which is nothing more than they deserve. Hitchin get back in to the game with a close range finish from a corner that isn't dealt with. It had been a little while since this happened, but Leiston get a third just before the break while I'm at the bar.

Early chance for Lesiton

The second half is a bit of a non event as Leiston see out the game to claim their first three points of the season and brining them within three points of Hitchin.

There was a healthy contingent from Herts to cheer on The Canaries

It's a three legged journey to Leiston. The first leg is a train to Ipswich from Liverpool Street where you can catch a train to Saxmundham. Then a short walk from the station you take the 64 bus for twenty minutes into Leiston. I really didn't give myself enough time in Leiston. I would have liked to walked down to Sizewell to see the sea but this would have taken at least an hour. I did get time to briefly explore the fascinating Long Room Museum but I don't think I really did it justice in the short time I spent there. Just across the road from the museum is The Engineers Arms which a couple of ales from the local Southwold Brewery as well as the sports channels. As per many other hoppers who have blogged about Victory Road, the welcome is fantastic and people go out of their way to help you find your way. The homely clubhouse had a wider than usual selection of drinks along with the sports channels.

Long throw under cloudy skies