JULIAN Beaumont's amazing scoring record just goes on and on.Now 39, the Melton St Audry's striker notched his 400th senior Metaltec SIL goal in last week's 3-1 victory over Coplestonians.

By Elvin King

JULIAN Beaumont's amazing scoring record just goes on and on.

Now 39, the Melton St Audry's striker notched his 400th senior Metaltec SIL goal in last week's 3-1 victory over Coplestonians.

And he reached this landmark in just 419 matches - averaging almost a goal a game going back to 1995.

“I was up to 100%,” said Beaumont, who will be looking to add to his tally in the Touchline Sports Suffolk Senior Cup against Cambridgeshire League Wickhambrook tomorrow.

“But in the last couple of seasons I have dropped my ratio a bit.”

This still did not stop Beaumont topping the SIL Senior Division charts last season with 27 goals. He is now in possession of this coveted trophy for the fifth time.

Beaumont joined the Saints in the summer after being told he would not be a Grundisburgh regular this season.

“St Audry's manager Simon Fryatt rang me and I am looking on it as a new challenge,” added Beaumont.

“I do not have an issue with Grundisburgh at all; they have to look to the future and have two talented young strikers in Lee Grimwood and new signing Dan Harper from Leiston St Margarets.

“But I still feel capable of scoring goals and now have some cracking youngsters buzzing around me.”

Beaumont, who has netted five goals in six matches this term, has scored his 400 goals in the SIL Senior Division, Suffolk Senior Cup and SIL Omnico Cup.

He has played for Grundisburgh, Walton United, Crane Sports and Melton St Audry's and has no regrets about not moving up to the Ridgeons League.

“I take my hat off to those players who commit themselves to football every Saturday and Tuesday plus training on Thursday - and no end of travelling all over East Anglia,” said Beaumont.

“I did play briefly for Woodbridge Town and Felixstowe in midweek matches in the Ridgeons League, but have been happy playing in the SIL.”

Beaumont has two Senior Cup winners' medals, but had to make do with a runners-up when Grundisburgh were beaten by Stowmarket Town in last season's final at Portman Road.

“I would love to win my way back to Portman Road,” added Beaumont. “We know nothing about Wickhambrook but are expecting a tough game.”

Asked the secret of his fantastic scoring prowess, the deadly goal poacher said: “It is an instinct you are born with, and a case of being in the right place at the right time.

“And playing with some great strikers also helps, with Martin Cotton at Grundisburgh and Stuart Swift at Walton the two best I have played beside.”

Stowmarket don't begin the defence of their trophy until October 20 because opponents Debenham Leisure Centre have an FA Vase date tomorrow.

Capel Plough will fancy their chances of lowering the colours of Ridgeons League Cornard after beating Walsham-le-Willows last season, while Phil Greenhalgh's Westerfield United can upset Long Melford if they hit form on the day.

Metaltec SIL recent transfers: Matthew Broom (Grundisburgh to Westerfield), Damian Miller (Framlingham to Coplestonians), James Nunn Achilles to Woolverstone), Adam Nuttall (Crane Sports to Achilles), Andrew Saunders (BT Trimley to Shotley).