Rick Andrews says Stowmarket Town face a tough test in front of them as they go in search of a ninth win on the bounce this weekend, writes Alex Moss.

The Old Gold and Blacks claimed a first-ever league win against Haverhill Borough last weekend, which helped stretch their current winning run to eight games in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division.

A victory at home to Saffron Walden Town at Greens Meadow this afternoon (3pm) would equal their best league run of the season, with Andrews’ side having won nine league games in succession between October and November last year.

But ahead of taking on the Bloods for the first time in just over three years, Stow boss Andrews knows his players will have to be on their game if they are to keep their fine run of form going.

“Saffron Walden are always a hard-working side,” Andrews said. “They’ve had some notable wins, they beat Felixstowe 4-0 earlier in the season.

“They were 3-0 down to Thetford and rallied back to 3-2, which shows they’re a side who never gives up.

“I keep harping on about it, but there are no easy games in this league. Hopefully the weather is kind to us and the pitch is a bit drier.”

With leaders Felixstowe & Walton United not in action this weekend, a win today would see Stow cut their gap to the Premier Division summit to 14 points, the lowest it has been since September 1 last year.

Last weekend’s win at Borough saw the Premier Division’s leading goalscorer, Josh Mayhew, strike twice to take his tally for the season to 42 goals.

The Stow striker is now just eight goals away from equalling the record for most goals scored by a player in a single Thurlow Nunn League top flight season, which is currently held by Matthew Metcalf, who scored 50 goals for Wroxham during the 1992-93 campaign.

Andrews was boosted by the return from injury of Leon Ottley-Gooch and Angelo Harrop last Saturday, while Blake Saker should be back today after missing the win at Borough.