LOUIS Newman today stressed that he has no point to prove when his Stowmarket Town side take on Ipswich Wanderers in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup at Greens Meadow tomorrow.

Elvin King

LOUIS Newman today stressed that he has no point to prove when his Stowmarket Town side take on Ipswich Wanderers in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup at Greens Meadow tomorrow.

Newman parted company with Wanderers after a few months in the hot seat at Humber Doucy Lane last season.

There were reports that he felt he was not given sufficient time or backing to bring Wanderers round after the 2007 summer departure of wealthy former manager John Clarkson.

Steve Buckle took over from Newman at Wanderers, but could not save them from relegation to the First Division of the Ridgeons League.

“What has happened has happened,” said Newman.

“Of course I want to beat Wanderers tomorrow, but I want to win every game.

“All my energies are focused on doing the right thing for Stowmarket Town.

“People have said that I must be fired up, but there is no animosity and I just want to win tomorrow's match and get into the next round.”

The FA Cup can prove a lucrative competition for impoverished Ridgeons League clubs with a £750 payment to the winners even at this early stage.

“We are not going to win the FA Cup,” added Newman. “But a win is a win and we are lucky to be playing in such a wonderful competition.”

Stowmarket were beaten 5-1 in the league by Clacton on Saturday and drew 1-1 with Long Melford on Wednesday in the First Division of the Ridgeons League.

“We have a lot more to give and there is a lot more to come,” added Newman. “Ask me in three months time how the league is going to go.

“From my experience of the First Division I know that you can lose 5-1, and then play the same side three weeks later and win 5-1.”

To reach the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, Stowmarket would have to negotiate 13 rounds - with a record accepted entry of 762 clubs this season.

There are 203 games tomorrow, a record for the first stage of the competition with 23 of the ties featuring Ridgeons League clubs.

Walsham-le-Willows, who are away to fellow Premier Division club Diss Town, now have Marty Thorpe in their management team.

Thorpe has Wembley experience with Walsham manager Paul Smith as they were both in the 1989 Sudbury Town FA Vase final side that drew 1-1 with Tamworth.

Thorpe was connected with Woodbridge Town for a number of years before moving to Walsham.

Debenham Leisure Centre enjoyed a run in the FA Cup last season that ended in front of a four-figure crowd when they were beaten at home by AFC Wimbledon.

Manager Mel Aldis took his players on a 'free' summer jaunt to Nice as a reward for their efforts. Debenham are at home to Dereham Town while strengthened Hadleigh United entertain Yarmouth.

Yarmouth striker Stewart Roach will have to be watched in a game between two sides in the reckoning to gain promotion from Division One.

New management team Kevin Cruickshank and Paul Tong have high expectations for the Bloaters this season. Hadleigh have completed the signing of striker Nathan Szyszlyk from Wivenhoe to join the six other newcomers to manager Steve Jay's squad.

Felixstowe and Walton United are away to fellow Ridgeons opposition in Mildenhall Town while Whitton United are at home to Cornard and Woodbridge Town entertain Newmarket Town.