THE upsurge in fortunes of Hadleigh United over the past one-and-a-half seasons is not just restricted to the first team.While the senior XI are chasing hard for a return to the Premier Division of the Ridgeons League after 11 years in the lower division, the reserves are sitting proudly on top of the Southern Division of the Ridgeons Reserve League.

Elvin King

THE upsurge in fortunes of Hadleigh United over the past one-and-a-half seasons is not just restricted to the first team.

While the senior XI are chasing hard for a return to the Premier Division of the Ridgeons League after 11 years in the lower division, the reserves are sitting proudly on top of the Southern Division of the Ridgeons Reserve League.

It was only two years ago that Hadleigh reserves found the Essex dominated South Division too tough so after finishing just off the bottom they opted to switch to the Northern Division with the belief that games would be easier.

This proved to be the case but for this season the league twisted Hadleigh's arm to return to the southern section on geographical grounds as several Norfolk sides had applied to come into the northern group.

Initially Hadleigh were none too pleased, but with half the campaign gone the side managed by Adam Waspe and Jim Walker are in pole position following a 2-1 win over FC Clacton reserves at Millfield just after Christmas.