Hadleigh United boss Stuart Crawford is hoping his side can gain some revenge on Norwich United tomorrow, as their quest for the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division title continues.

With just ten games left and having led the way virtually since the first League ball was kicked in August, Crawford’s men are still in pole position for the crown, but their hopes were dented a little when they suffered a shock 1-0 home league defeat to Norwich United on January 25.

Hadleigh were seemingly invincible before this defeat as they looked to be cruising to League and Cup success, with the Brettsiders still going well in the FA Vase and the Red Insure Cup.

However, that Norwich defeat seemed to knock the stuffing a little out of Crawford’s men, as they disappointingly bowed out of both competitions.

After losing 2-0 to Newmarket Town in the quarter-finals of the Red Insure Cup, Hadleigh followed this up with an abject display in front of a near record-breaking 511 crowd against Wisbech Town in the last 16 of the Vase, where they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat.

The Brettsiders responded well last weekend however with a hard-fought away 2-1 win over Thetford in League duties, and Crawford is looking forward to gaining some sort of revenge over Norwich on Saturday.

“That Norwich game was a frustrating one,” said Crawford.

“I don’t know if they deserved to beat us or not, but they did and we’ll be looking to gain a bit of revenge this weekend.”

Crawford admitted that result shocked his side a little, and may have had an effect on his side’s Vase preparations.

“Of course I was disappointed to go out of the Vase,” declared Crawford.

“To go out of both cup competitions at home is very disappointing but it’s gone now, we’ve drawn a line under it, and mustn’t dwell on it.

“Winning the League is something we set our aims on in July, and that is something still in our hands.”

Despite still being disappointed at his side’s failure to turn up on the day against Wisbech, Crawford has wished their former Thurlow Nunn Premier Division opponents all the best in the rest of the competition, with the Cambridgeshire-based side travelling to Sholing FC, Southampton, in the quarter-finals on March 8.

“We wish Wisbech all the best, of course we do,” said Crawford.

“Can they win it? Who knows?

“One thing they do have is fantastic support, and with that behind them, there is every chance they can go far.”

Although Hadleigh still might seem overwhelming favourites to win the Thurlow Nunn Premier, Crawford still thinks there is a long way to go as yet.

He said: “Everyone wants to beat us and I still think there will be plenty of twists and turns before the season ends.

“If Brightlingsea win all their games in hand, they’ll go above us, but I think a lot of teams will drop points between now and May.”