OLD Newton’s start to their Touchline Sports SIL Senior Division could not be more marked, writes Nick Garnham.

After three defeats, during which Old Newton leaked 13 goals, Colin Macrow’s side have strung together three consecutive victories, and conceded just once.

Scoring goals has not been a problem, with eight goals for in those three reverses and another 12 scored in the three wins.

Macrow said: “It goes without saying the problems we had in the first three games was conceding goals.

“Not taking anything away from the opposition, but they were more down to our sloppy play and organisation than outstanding football.

“In the last three games we have tightened up and stopped making silly mistakes and just gone from strength-to-strength.

“Even in pre-season we were conceding goals but looked capable of scoring, but starting with the Grundisburgh game (3-0 win), followed by the Ipswich Athletic (6-1 win) and Achilles games (3-0 win) there has been a marked improvement from the whole team as regards defending.”

Macrow praised the contribution of goalkeeper Craig Brand, who was a student at West Suffolk College, before joining the club last season.

“He had a dodgy start, but grew with the season. Last season was his first introduction to men’s football, and he has carried on his form into this season. With him in confident mood it helps the back four.

“I rate him highly, and although he did not have a lot of shot-saving to do on Saturday, his handling was immaculate.”

Macrow said Dean Pleasance was signed as a centre half from Stowmarket, but had moved into midfield and grown into that role as Old Newton had “come on leaps and bounds as a team” since the start of the season.

Old Newton currently sit seventh in the table – one place and one point behind tomorrow’s opponents Crane Sports.

Macrow said: “Cranes, on paper, have a very good side, and I think in their first couple of games it was a case of the players getting used to playing with each other.

“With a player like Danny Phillips up front you have always got a good a chance, so we will have to be on our mettle and make sure he doesn’t get too many opportunities.”