LAST Saturday's Metaltec SIL Senior Division game at Leiston St Margarets brought back memories of Bourne Park, Ipswich for Coplestonians manager Gary Bartlett.

LAST Saturday's Metaltec SIL Senior Division game at Leiston St Margarets brought back memories of Bourne Park, Ipswich for Coplestonians manager Gary Bartlett.

“We fought out a very good goalless draw,” said Bartlett, who took over the Coplestonians hot seat in the summer.

“But the most memorable part of the afternoon was the sound of a huge cheer as our match drew to a close.

“It brought back memories of playing at Bourne Park when Ipswich Town were at home.

“But Ipswich were away last Saturday - and it took a while to sink in that it was a cheer that accompanied Leiston's equaliser in their FA Cup game in the middle of the town against Lewes.”

Copleston became the first team to take a point off leaders Grundisburgh this season - “We deserved three,” said Bartlett - and they recently got the better of St Johns after earlier losing to them in the Suffolk Senior Cup.

“That was when I was on my stag weekend in Portugal,” said Bartlett, who was married a couple of weeks ago to Jennie when Coplestonians' game was called off.

“Grundisburgh joint boss Kevin Cunningham was on the stag do and it was a first when we where chipping on to the 18th green from the clubhouse at midnight.”

Now that he can concentrate fully on football matters, Bartlett looked ahead and said: “If we can finish in the top half it will be a result.

“I am sure we can do that although we are a couple of players short of competing for the title.

“Jon Davis, Andy Read and Mark Wilson joined us in the summer and have proved valuable acquisitions and we will need to be at our best tomorrow against a Capel Plough side that is always hard to beat and can dig out 1-0 victories.

“It is a tight division with East Bergholt and Stonham Aspal decent sides and in false positions at the foot of the table, and leaders Grundisburgh not as strong as they have been in the past.”

Grundisburgh are away to second-placed Melton St Audry's while Bergholt and Stonham meet at Gandish Road.

There should be goals aplenty in Division Five in a top-of-the-table clash between Aldeburgh Town and Tattingstone United - the two highest scoring teams in the SIL.