MELTON St Audry’s manager Steve Moore may be pleased with his new-look side’s start to the season, but he is not getting carried away.

After a 1-1 draw against promoted Ipswich Exiles on the opening day, Melton won 3-1 at Grundisburgh last Saturday.

The result was achieved without Josh Kerridge, last season’s leading scorer, who Moore described as “a massive loss” after sustaining an ankle injury against Exiles which will keep him out for a month.

Added to which Tom Deller, one of several new signings in the summer, has already decided to move on and try his luck at Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division Felixstowe & Walton United.

Moore said of the win at Grundisburgh: “You can count on one hand how many teams have gone there and beaten them in recent years.

“They were missing three or four players, which makes a difference, but we were without a couple as well.

“We defended really well on the day, and they made mistakes which we punished them for.

“It was a big win for us and a big confidence boost after drawing with Ipswich Exiles on the opening day, although take nothing away from them because they worked really hard and deserved their point.”

Former joint manager Chris Gray, who is still registered with Melton after moving to London in the summer, came back to play and skipper Chris Pratt returned to the team after his honeymoon.

Gray has been replaced as assistant manager by James Leech, who was previously manager of Ipswich Thistle in the Flowsports Ipswich Sunday League.

Moore said: “We lost six players in the summer – it was a shock to lose James Bradbrook and Daniel Hemmings-Smith who have joined Debenham LC because they have been here for a few years – and another three quit altogether.

“We worked hard to bring in new players and James has helped us to do that. “

Gavin Flurrie and Courtney David have arrived from Ipswich Athletic and former Woodbridge Town duo Leon Wiggins and Joe Button have also joined.

Former Ipswich Wanderers goalkeeper Callum Deacon and Reece Ingram, who is just 17 and the younger brother of Bury Town midfielder Luke Ingram, make up the new signings.

Melton are at Capel Plough tomorrow and Moore said: “Capel are brilliant at home. They have always been difficult to beat on their pitch, which is smaller and they take advantage of that and close you down quickly.

“We lost 4-1 there last year when we were actually on a good little run, but they fully deserved it and it could have been more!

“If we can get something out of the game I will be very pleased and it will set us up nicely for next Saturday’s derby against Wickham Market.

“We will take each game as it comes, although on paper I believe we have a stronger squad than last year, but whether that is the case will be proved over the season.”