HOLDERS Ransomes Sports have been warned to expect a tough time when they travel to Aldeburgh Town in the third round of the Kingsley Healthcare SIL on Monday (kick-off 1.

Elvin King

HOLDERS Ransomes Sports have been warned to expect a tough time when they travel to Aldeburgh Town in the third round of the Kingsley Healthcare SIL on Monday (kick-off 1.30pm).

On paper the Ipswich-based Senior Division outfit should make have no problem seeing off their Fourth Division opponents.

But such is the romance of this competition that nothing can be discounted.

Aldeburgh manager Ben Blades cannot wait for his side to get into action, and he sees the game as one of defining importance to his club.

“It will be a great gauge of how we stand,” said Blades. “I think we would fit comfortably in Division Two and possibly in Division One.

“Monday will show whether I am right or not.”

Aldeburgh have lost two league matches as they look to continue their advance up the SIL, and Blades says it will not be difficult for him to lift his players.

“I know that Ransomes will be professional and that they will retain the ball a lot, but it will be easier for me to get my team going than Peter (Gorham, the Ransomes boss).

“We have never played a senior side before and we were ecstatic when we heard the draw.”

Secretary Matt Pilkington is available for selection after recovering from a knee problem while strikers Jack Carroll and Ben Hunting are in the mood to increase their current joint 36-goal tally.

There are five all Senior Division games in the third round with Achilles taking on Westerfield United, Crane Sports entertaining Coplestonians, Felixstowe United at home to Leiston St Margarets, Grundisburgh locking horns with East Bergholt and Woodbridge Athletic facing Ipswich Athletic.

Colourful manager Trevor Wardlaw will relish the chance of his Claydon side indulging in some festive frolics, and a chance to earn the scalp of senior side Melton St Audry's.

Wardlaw's experience as a senior manager will hold him in good stead although his top priority will be to lead Claydon up to the First Division.

Sizewell Associates from Division Three do not have far to travel to take on a Framlingham Town side that are four divisions above them in the SIL, while Halesworth Town can make life tough for Capel Plough and Somersham (Second Division) have nothing to lose when they visit Senior Division leaders Old Newton.

Stowupland Falcons manager Paul Bugg has already revealed that he is set to name a weakened side for the visit of Bramford United, giving the Division Two outfit a chance to reach the fourth round.

There is a full fixture list of Ridgeons League games in the Premier and First Divisions on Monday with kick-off times ranging from noon to 7.45pm.