HIT by absences to key players, Ipswich Athletic are now making an impression in the Senior Division of the Metaltec SIL.Last Saturday they beat Crane Sports, who had only tasted one previous defeat this season.

Elvin King

HIT by absences to key players, Ipswich Athletic are now making an impression in the Senior Division of the Metaltec SIL.

Last Saturday they beat Crane Sports, who had only tasted one previous defeat this season.

“And we deserved to do so,” said Athletic manager Glen Bradlaugh, who now has striker Kosta Karantzis, Jason Lloyd and Alan Ditcham back from long-term unavailability.

“And our goalkeeper Lawrence Leggett went to Australia for five weeks as well in the midst of our player shortages.

“We have a small squad anyway - just 14 compared to the 18 to 20 that clubs like Grundisburgh and Cranes are utilising.”

Athletic have played most of the top teams twice already but Bradlaugh is not pinning his hopes on finishing any better than 'a top-six position'.

“In the circumstances that would be good, that would be an achievement,” he added.

“And then I would hope we could push on for the 2009/10 campaign.

“We would need some additions in the summer and this is what I am intending to do.”

Bradlaugh joined Athletic after being in charge of Ransomes Sports and he has long-serving Athletic stalwart Jimmy Marjoram as his general manager.

“It is like going back to the good old days,” added Bradlaugh. “Jimmy and I were in the Smock side that moved up the divisions some while back.

“I'm back on my own patch now and happy to be so.”

Athletic, who were formed out of Smock, are at home to Leiston St Margarets tomorrow and Bradlaugh is expecting a tough game against the Suffolk Senior Cup semi-finalists.

He could be without Scott Marjoram, who has a shoulder injury, but the player was doing plenty of swimming while away this week at a holiday park. Otherwise, Athletic has a full squad to select from.

Grundisburgh can take another step towards the title with a win at Sidegate Avenue against Ransomes, while bottom-placed St Johns badly need to arrest their slide at a Framlingham Town club that have their sights set on a top-three finish - and a place in the Ridgeons League next term.

Victory for Trimley Red Devils at Ipswich United will see them promoted from Division Three and continue their rise through the divisions. They have not lost a league match since September 8, 2007 - while Ipswich United are unbeaten at home so far this season.

Four SIL teams have yet to gain an away point this season - Claydon, Ipswich Postals, St Clement's Hospital and Sizewell Associates Reserves.