HADLEIGH United manager Steve Jay should not be surprised if he gets a call from Ipswich Town boss Jim Magilton.Six of the eight wins Jay's side have collected in the Ridgeons League, First Division have been away from Millfield.

By Elvin King

HADLEIGH United manager Steve Jay should not be surprised if he gets a call from Ipswich Town boss Jim Magilton.

Six of the eight wins Jay's side have collected in the Ridgeons League, First Division have been away from Millfield.

Magilton has been left scratching his head after a run of 15 consecutive matches away from Portman Road without a win.

So what is the secret of winning away?

Jay should know, but he admits that he will be unable to provide Magilton with any answers.

“I can't put my finger on it,” said Jay.

“Last season we were good at home and won few games away, and the aim was to make Millfield a fortress and gain the odd win away.

“But it has not happened that way - and I can't answer why.”

Hadleigh travel to Saffron Walden tomorrow with Jay looking for a promotion place this term.

“We are not good enough to win the league - Tiptree's consistency puts them in the driving seat - but we are good enough to finish in the top three and go up,” added Jay.

“We have Whitton and Halstead coming up later this month and if we can remain in contention it will leave us in a position to mount a challenge in the final months of the season.

“There are six or seven teams pushing for promotion, and the ones who finish the strongest will go up.”

Hadleigh have an away quarter-final in the Suffolk Senior Cup, which has to be good.

“Yes, we are away to Long Melford,” said Jay. “But despite winning there 3-1 in the league we know it will not be easy to stage a repeat in the cup.”

Jay, who knows his side will need to be at their best at Saffron Walden, has a full squad to select from apart from long-term injury victim Chris Sadler.

Whitton visit Fakenham, while Debenham Leisure Centre manager Mel Aldis will be pitting his wits against his former club when they meet Stowmarket Town.

Aldis' opposite number Dave Hubbick will be missing from the technical area after being banned from the touchline during games for ten matches.

In the Premier Division, Woodbridge Town have a special match sponsor for their home game against Lowestoft Town.

Nick Mattlock, from Richmond, Surrey will be visiting his 500th venue in his capacity as a ground hopper.

He has visited all 92 Premier League and Football League clubs and is now working his way through the non-league list.

Originally a Nottingham Forest supporter, Mattlock says: “A 'good' ground for me has old fashioned wooden stands, proper floodlight pylons, a cosy bar, quality pies and Bovril made so strong it makes your hair curl and served in a proper mug.”

Ipswich Wanderers entertain Histon Reserves with Steve Potts' Felixstowe and Walton United travelling to Dereham.