It’s been a tough start to the season for reigning Suffolk & Ipswich League champions Henley Athletic.

Defending your title is never easy and it hasn’t been helped this year by a tough opening fixture list and the fact they are set to face the current league leaders of the division – for a third time so far this campaign.

Wenhaston come to the Community Centre tomorrow afternoon, top of the table and unbeaten in three.

It’s a tricky gig for both sides as Henley boss Sean Brown admitted.

“They (Wenhaston) are a difficult side to play against and it will be a tough fixture for both teams,” he said.

“They are top at the moment and incredibly it’s the third team we have played a team who are top so far this season – Achilles, Felixstowe Harpers and now Wenhaston.

“It was great to win the title last season and we knew it would be tough to defend it this year, everyone wants to beat you.

“We’ve played a lot of the teams I think will be top five and many of them still haven’t played each other yet.

“We have had a few injuries and haven’t been able to really put out our strongest side, but that’s no excuse.

“While last year the goals were flying in, this year it is not quite working.”

Henley were joyous winners of the title in an exciting finish to last season’s campaign. But with defeat already to Achilles and Crane Sports, as well as three draws, it’s going to need a good run of form from them to get back in the top two.

“There’s a bit of head scratching going on at the moment, but when the goals start going in, I think that will change,” Brown added.

Also in the SIL Senior this weekend, there is a big game at Felixstowe, where Harpers entertain Crane Sports, while Achilles entertain Micky Squirrell’s Grundisburgh and Benhall St Mary, enjoying a fine season, are at home to basement dwellers Ransome Sports.

David Goodchild’s East Bergholt side could leapfrog Haughley should they win at the Playing Field, while it’s a tough assignment for Leiston St Margarets who travel to AFC Hoxne – a team who are unbeaten in four and have a decent home record.