Saturday August 5th 2023
Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Ipswich Wanderers v HISTON
Kick Off 3pm
The Stutes head to Suffolk on Saturday, with the hope of igniting their season and creating an FA Cup upset as they visit newly promoted Step 4 side, Ipswich Wanderers.
With two challenging and ultimately fruitless league games now banished from memory, Lance Key will be hopeful that his side can produce a positive result with the pressure somewhat on their hosts, the current Eastern Counties League Champions. This tie will be the home clubs first involvement in competitive action, with their pre-season schedule being brought to a close a week ago against Suffolk and Ipswich League Champions, Henly Athletic. At Wanderers home of Humber Doucy Lane, the visiting Step 7 side were to prevail by a single goal.
Wanderers will experience their first season as a Step 4 side, having been placed in the Isthmian League, Division One North. This comes following back to back promotions from the Eastern Counties Leagues Division One South in 2022 and Premier Division in 2023. Their remarkable rise has been masterminded by the management duo of Mark Goldfinch and James Buckle. Last term they pipped Thetford Town to the league title having gone on a remarkable run, winning their final 12 league games having suffered their last defeat at their nearest rivals on January 7th. Their leading marksman was Teon Leggett who scored 22 times from 47 appearances, whilst Joel Golver and Nathan Read netted on 16 and 15 occasions respectively.
The selection crisis does not seem to subside for Stutes boss, Lance Key. Whilst Sam Roach and skipper Ollie Brookes were welcome returnees on Tuesday night, Key is again unable to call upon a number of senior players owing to injury. Regrettably, Ed Rolph, Luke Crisp, Rob Ruddy and Ryan Towner all look set to miss out, with Pat Bexfield remaining a doubt for Saturday’s game.
With a place in the Preliminary Round against either Walsham Le Willows or Dereham Town up for grabs, you can expect a feisty affair regardless of personnel, as The Stutes seek to create some new FA Cup stories to add to our rich history in the world’s greatest cup competition.
Admission Prices
Adults £10
Concessions £7
Under 16’s £3
Ground Address:
Humber Doucy Lane, Ipswich, IP4 3NR
Travel Time (from Bridge Road): 1 hr 9 minutes, 59 miles
Leave a Reply