FELIXSTOWE United manager Ian Watson believes his side have finally clicked this season.

After two wins in their opening three Kingsley Healthcare SIL Senior Division fixtures Felixstowe then took just one point from their next six league matches and currently sit fourth bottom.

However, a 6-1 win against Crane Sports was then followed by last Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Team Bury in the Suffolk Senior Cup to set up a quarter-final tie at Leiston St Margaret’s in early January which means the SIL is guaranteed at least one side in the semi-finals.

Watson said: “We just clicked against Cranes and finally seemed to find the right balance. We had been threatening in matches but only really playing for 45 minutes. We matched both Woodbridge Athletic and Grundisburgh for 45 minutes but then let ourselves down.”

Felixstowe lost 4-1 against both the top two teams, but now appear to have addressed their defensive problems.

“We were leaking goals quite heavily, whereas we used to have the best defensive record in the league,” said Watson.

Andy O’Donnell and Craig Rumens are gelling into a solid defensive partnership while strikers Damian Pryke and Matty Morgan have scored nine times between them in the last six games.

Watson said: “We lost some of our better players to Grundisburgh this season, and the new boys have taken time to settle into the side. The youngsters who have stepped up are now coming into their own, and Adam Dawson was outstanding last Saturday.” He said Felixstowe’s game-plan, devised after watching Team Bury play, worked a treat and he was “really chuffed” with his side’s win against their Ridgeons League Division One opponents.

Watson paid tribute to assistant manager Terry Rumens, who has been “a breath of fresh air” this season, coach John Coupe and new chairman Dave Kyle.

“Dave has been a real driving force. He gets involved in absolutely everything and has been a major asset to the club,” said Watson, who is looking forward to tomorrow’s match at home to Achilles.

“Their form has been up and down of late, but we always know when we play them we are in for a hard game. They will want to beat us as we won 3-2 there after being 2-0 down.

“I have a lot of respect for them and always look forward to playing against them and we are expecting a ding-dong game.”