RANSOMES Sports are five points clear at the top of the Senior Division table of the Kingsley Healthcare SIL, and manager Peter Gorham admitted today that the club will never have a better chance of winning the title.

Formed in 1948 as Fisons Sports and emerging in their current form in 1997 after playing as Rushmere Athletic for four years, Ransomes face a tough fixture at Ipswich Athletic tomorrow.

If Athletic win their two games in hand they will go level with the division’s top scorers, and they have already beaten Ransomes in the league at Sidegate Avenue this season.

“It’s hopefully pay back time tomorrow,” said Gorham.

“Ransomes has never won the SIL championship and we will never have a better chance.

“We have Coddenham away in the Omnico Cup, and my main aim is to win that competition for a third consecutive time. To win the title as well and make it a double would be terrific.

“I wanted to be in the top five around Christmas, so I can’t complain at where we are and what we have achieved although once you go top everybody wants to beat you that much more.

“The points are in the bag however and it’s up to others to try and catch us and not make any slip-ups.

“We want to play as many games as we can and it was disappointing not to have a game last weekend. This division is often won and lost during night games towards the end of the season.

“You have time to make your plans and get fully prepared for Saturday matches, but for a 6pm kick-off at Stanton say it’s not so easy and the matches become a bit more of a lottery.”

Gorham has a full squad to select from, and he says that he will have no reason to make excuses if he does not get the result he wants at the Bourne Vale ground tomorrow (kick-off 2pm).

“Jimmy Marjoram has done a wonderful job at Athletic this season and he has a decent side so we know it will be tough,” added Gorham.

“It’s been a team effort to get us where we are and it is a nice squad that includes some great individuals.

“Ian Radnor is proving a great right hand man for me, and we’re looking ahead with confidence, and can hopefully quietly get on with our work.”

Grundisburgh are second in the table and they also face a stiff task at Achilles as the top four teams are in combat against each other.

Alan Middle’s Achilles have three matches in hand over Ransomes and would go three points clear if they were to gain nine points so a win tomorrow will keep the pressure on Gorham and his men.

Devastated by recent tragedy following the death of four people including their players Daniel Hazelton and Adam Taylor in an industrial accident in Great Yarmouth, Stanton are scheduled to return to action at bottom club Haughley tomorrow although the game had still to be confirmed last night.

Second bottom Coplestonians are in action against third from bottom Westerfield United with the visitors moving to within one point of the Swans with four matches in hand if they win.

Kingsley Healthcare SIL recent transfers: Liam Bryant (Walsham to Elmswell), William Crocker (Woodbridge Athletic to AFC Crowley), Josh Little (Stonham Aspal to Bramford), Gareth Ward (Haughley to AFC Crowley).