Rick Andrews hopes his Stowmarket Town side can take their good end of 2017 form into the start of this year, writes Alex Moss.

The Old Gold and Blacks make the short trip to face Ipswich Wanderers tomorrow afternoon (3pm), for their first game of 2018, buoyed by ending last year with a four-match winning run.

There is still plenty of ground to make up if third-placed Stow are to catch title rivals Felixstowe & Walton United and Coggeshall Town, who occupy the top two spots, but all Andrews is focused on is trying to keep their winning run going.

“I’m very much looking forward to the game this weekend,” the Stow boss said.

“We missed the game last week (Stow’s scheduled home clash with FC Clacton was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch) so the boys are buzzing to get back.

“If we win our next three games, suddenly we’re on a seven-game winning run.

“All we can do is try and keep this run going for as long as possible.”

Stowmarket and Wanderers will meet in a competitive fixture today for the first time since October 2013, with both sides having contrasting fortunes now compared to then.

Wanderers did the double over Stow on their way to promotion back up to the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division at the end of the 2013-14 season.

Stow joined their neighbours in the Premier Division this season after winning the First Division title last term, but heading into today’s game there are 20 places separating the two sides.

Wanderers sit second from bottom in the Premier Division table, but Andrews was quick to point out their Boxing Day win against Felixstowe & Walton as a reason not to underestimate their hosts this afternoon.

“To beat Felixstowe, regardless if Felixstowe missed chances, 1-0 and stop one of the most prolific teams from scoring, shows they have got some spirit,” he said.

“It goes with what I’ve been saying for so long: you can’t just turn up and expect to win in this league, it’s simply not possible.

“You have to be at it every game.”