Going into this weekend’s games, East Bergholt United are the only unbeaten side in the Touchline Suffolk & Ipswich League, Senior Division.

Five wins, two draws, and no losses leave David Goodchild’s men fighting at the top end of the table in it’s early proceedings, with Bergholt sitting in sixth, just one point off leaders Wenhaston United.

“It’s been a very good start,” admitted Goodchild, whose side play host to Haughley United tomorrow.

“We started the season off with a win (2-1) against the champions Achilles, – it was a little fortuitous – but it gave us a great start that we’ve built from.”

Other victories over Wenhaston (2-0), Westerfield (1-0), Leiston St Margarets (3-0), and Melton St Audrys (4-1) have built those confidence levels even further for Bergholt as they look to finish higher than their mid-table position of last season.

“I think the difference between last year and this year has been our defensive record,” continued Goodchild.

“At times last season we were a bit too gung-ho – conceding a lot of goals – while this year we have shored up a lot.

“Matt Chinnery has come in from Ipswich Valley Rangers to play just in front of the back four, and he’s made a huge difference.

“We still like to get forward and the nucleus of the side is exactly the same as last year but we have the meanest defence at the moment.”

Further research shows that Bergholt have conceded just four goals so far, two less than fellow high-flyers Bramford United and Felixstowe Harpers.

Goodchild has been at the heart of East Bergholt United Football Club in a number of playing and non-playing roles over the years.

Last season, the club achieved a respectable mid-table finish in the league and were runners-up in the Bob Coleman Cup, losing 2-0 to Grundisburgh in the final.

“I didn’t actually think we did ourselves justice in the final,” confessed the Bergholt boss.

“We’d like to put that right this year if possible as well as get past the first round of the Suffolk Senior Cup.

“For the third year running we’ve drawn Cranes and we’ve been knocked out by them on both occasions.

“League wise, we’ll see where we are towards the end of January.

“If we’re still in the hunting pack at that point you never know what might happen, we’d love to come in the top three but realistically we might end up sixth or seventh.”

Before tomorrow’s encounter against Haughley, Bergholt are one of five teams sitting on 17 points, all with a chance of topping the table.