National cups are something special for many teams and supporters. Today's match will decide whether it's Hitchin Town or Leiston that keep their silverware dream alive.
There’s little time for restitution or working hard at the training pitch these days, with both teams having played their last game less than four days ago.
Hitchin Town form and stats
Last season their Fa Trophy adventure ended in the 2nd round.The season ticket holders are starting to dread their visits here at Top Field, with the home team losing four in a row. They have not avoided a defeat here since the Barwell game.
Hitchin Town manager M. Burke and his team return home after a 0-0 draw away versus Tamworth in the Non League Premier: Southern.
Ahead of that match, Hitchin lost 0-1 at home to Stratford Town.It's been an intense period of training leading up to this game for Hitchin, who have participated in four training matches. Hitchin Town have won 1 of these, drawn 1 and were beaten in 2 games.
Leiston form and stats
Leiston's mission in Fa Trophy last season failed in the 1st round.Leiston lost away at Biggleswade Town (2-3) in their previous game and are perhaps starting to feel homesick.
Ahead of that match was the victory versus Tamworth at their stadium, the result 3-1.The visitors are returning home after this fixture, hosting Needham Market in just three days.
Head 2 Head
Head-to-head statistics (for the preceeding four meetings): Hitchin won one game, two matches ended in a draw and Leiston managed one win. Over 2,5 goals / under 2,5 goals: four / zeroHitchin Town missing players
Leiston missing players
| Hitchin Town | Leiston | ||||||
| Total | Home | Statistics | Stat | Away | Total | ||
| 25 | 16 | Played | P | 11 | 25 | ||
| 7 | 5 | Won | W | 3 | 10 | ||
| 3 | 1 | Drew | D | 2 | 5 | ||
| 15 | 10 | Lost | L | 6 | 10 | ||
| 25 | 15 | Scored | S | 17 | 45 | ||
| 48 | 37 | Conceded | C | 18 | 43 | ||
| 96% | 100% | Over 0.5 | O 0.5 | 100% | 96% | ||
| 80% | 88% | Over 1.5 | O 1.5 | 91% | 88% | ||
| 60% | 62% | Over 2.5 | O 2.5 | 64% | 72% | ||
| 28% | 31% | Over 3.5 | O 3.5 | 45% | 52% | ||
| 12% | 19% | Over 4.5 | O 4.5 | 18% | 28% | ||
| 40% | 38% | BTTS | BTTS | 64% | 76% | ||
| 16% | 6% | Clean Sheets | C S | 9% | 12% | ||
| 48% | 56% | Failed to Score | F T | 27% | 16% | ||
| 1.9 | 1.7 | Corners for (avg) | C F | 1.5 | 2.1 | ||
| 2.6 | 2.4 | Corners against (avg) | C A | 2.8 | 2.3 | ||
| 0.4 | 0.4 | Yellow cards (avg) | Y C | 0.8 | 0.5 | ||
| 0 | 0 | Red cards | R C | 0 | 0 | ||
| 4.7 | 4.4 | Shots (avg) | S ( | 6 | 5.8 | ||
| 1.8 | 2 | Shots on Target (avg) | S O | 3 | 2.3 | ||
| 54% | 55% | Goal Efficiency | G E | 33% | 74% | ||