Potts delighted to welcome Town in cup

IN what could be a classic case of reverse psychology, or simply outstanding honesty, Felixstowe boss Steve Potts has completely written off his own side's chances of progressing to the next stage of the Suffolk Premier Cup, against Ipswich Town tonight.

By Derek Davis

IN what could be a classic case of reverse psychology, or simply outstanding honesty, Felixstowe boss Steve Potts has completely written off his own side's chances of progressing to the next stage of the Suffolk Premier Cup, against Ipswich Town tonight.

The Ridgeons Premier League outfit face the Championship side's second string at Dellwood Avenue and Potts is not even pretending his side can compete.

Potts said: “The fact that Ipswich Town are in the Suffolk Premier Cup is great news and as Felixstowe won promotion last season we are delighted to draw them.

“But we have to be realistic about our chances.

“If we had drawn Sudbury then everyone would have expected them to thrash us. If Sudbury were playing Ipswich, people would expect Ipswich to thrash them, so you can see what we are up against.

“The gulf in quality and fitness is huge but there will be no lack of effort from my side. If we are beaten by better technical ability then so be it but our supporters can expect an exciting game where we will give our all.”

Potts led Felixstowe & Walton United to promotion in his first season in charge while the Blues are entering the competition for the first time since the early 1970s.

With Ipswich Town deciding it would not be cost effective to open Portman Road on Saturday the game was switched to Dellwood Avenue, and Potts is quite happy with that.

He said: “Although some of the players are naturally disappointed at not getting the opportunity of playing at Portman Road, I'm really happy that we are now at home.

“Financially it makes more sense to play it here. For a start the 100 or so fans that would have gone to Portman Road would have rattled around that huge stadium and not been noticed. We could get a few hundred here and that would make for a better atmosphere. And as the clubs share the gate then it makes sense to have it here.”

The Blues include recent signing Ian Miller, who reached the final of this competition a couple of years ago with Bury Town.

Miller is held up as an example of how a non-league player can be spotted while playing against league opposition, as he was in a pre-season friendly against Blues reserves.

Potts said: “The game is dotted with players who have come through from non-league and to see Ian Miller step up is fantastic for him personally and for Bury Town. It also makes our players look at him and we will have people who are hoping they too might get noticed.

“It is an added attraction of playing against Ipswich Town and doing well against them.”

Dean Bowditch and Scott Barron, along with single appearance players Martin Brittain, Sammy Moore and Darryl Knights, have first team experience for Town, while a number of under-18s are also included.

The game kicks off at 7.45pm and tickets, at £5 for adults, are available at the gate.

Tonight's teams

Felixstowe & Walton United: Leggett, Crump, Andrews, Peachey, Frost, Simmons, Symonds, Pemberton, Buckle, Phillips, Crane, Edwards, Morgan, Laws, Spencer, Pugh and Carnell.

Ipswich Town Reserves: Plummer, Synnott, Robinson, Krause, Miller, Barron, Moore, Upson, Brittain, Bowditch, Knights, Rhodes, Reason, Fenn, Short and Smith.