ACHILLES manager Alan Middle sees tomorrow's Kingsley Healthcare SIL Senior Division clash with champions Grundisburgh as a benchmark game for his promoted side.

Elvin King

ACHILLES manager Alan Middle sees tomorrow's Kingsley Healthcare SIL Senior Division clash with champions Grundisburgh as a benchmark game for his promoted side.

Four wins out of five is a promising start for the Ipswich-based side that spent two years in junior football before gaining promotion last term.

“Our main aim is to ensure that we keep out of relegation troubles,” said Middle.

“But after the start we have had I am now looking at a top-half f1inish - even a top six.

“Tomorrow's game will give us a better idea of where we stand however, and I am keeping my fingers crossed that we don't suffer a backlash after Grundisburgh's defeat against Ipswich Athletic. The grape vine suggests that Grundisburgh have strengthened up and brought back one or two of last season's side.”

Middle, who was manager when Achilles went down and remained in his post, is now assisted by players Brent Richards and Lee Osborn with Trevor Childs as coach.

“Morale is good and we have some good characters in the squad,” added Middle, who says that his four summer signings have all proved significant.

“Sean Bell, Austin King, Philip Deller and Owen Symonds have all played Ridgeons League football, and now want to play a good standard without having all that travelling to do.

“But we will be short of players tomorrow with weddings causing Darren Jones, Lee Osborn, Perry Arthur and Robert Bucy to sit out while Luke Hilliard is suspended.

“And we lost Ross Wardley until next year pre-season with a dislocated shoulder and Adam Nuttall to mid-November with an ankle problem.”

Richard Page's Westerfield United will stay top of the table with victory at Old Newton, while Felixstowe

United and Ransomes Sports can stay unbeaten with results

against Stowupland Falcons and Woodbridge Athletic respectively.

United are now managed jointly by Karl Baldwin, who was assistant to Larry Elliston last season, and

Ian Watson and it will be a test

for them this week with six players unavailable. Felixstowe's reserve team is also unbeaten - pre-season

and league - going into tomorrow's game.

Second-in-the-table Ipswich Athletic have no game while East Bergholt

will be looking to add to last week's opening goal of the season (a penalty) in the 1-1 against Leiston St Margarets when they take the trip to Coplestonians.

Melton St Audry's gained their first point at the weekend, and they face a trip to Framlingham Town.