Rick Andrews is not taking anything for granted when he takes his high-flying Stowmarket Town side to Fakenham Town Saturday afternoon (3pm), writes ALEX MOSS.

The Old Gold and Blacks have produced a remarkable run of form over the last seven weeks, winning nine and drawing two of their last 11 league games to climb from 21st to second in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division table.

But ahead of a trip to second-from-bottom Fakenham, who have picked up 10 points and scored just six goals from their opening 14 league games, Andrews says he is expecting another tough game for the First Division champions.

“They’ve picked up a couple of wins recently and seemed to have turned things around,” the Stow boss said.

“They had a good win over at Gorleston last week, so it’ll be a tough game. They’re all tough games, I said to the boys they have to earn the right to play, these teams will never come out here and roll over for you.”

With the enticing incentive of moving into the promotion places with a victory on Tuesday, Andrews’ side were made to work hard as they narrowly defeated Great Yarmouth Town 1-0 at Greens Meadow earlier in the week.

Josh Mayhew, the Premier Division’s leading goalscorer, continued his excellent form in front of goal to score the only goal of the game late in the first half, as Stow climbed above Brantham Athletic and into second spot.

“I’m glad we scored when we did,” Andrews admitted. “I thought we started looking a bit frustrated.

“They pressed us, and it worked, but we just kept moving the ball then all of a sudden we cut them open.

“We got the breakthrough and that’s two clean sheets in a row now. We’re starting to settle at the back.”

Stow were boosted on Tuesday by the arrival of new signing Leon Ottley-Gooch from Bury Town, and he slotted into a back three in place of the injured Nathan Clarke.

Clarke is one of several injury doubts for Stow this weekend, along with Scott Mitchell, Remi Garrett and Angelo Harrop.