Stowmarket Town manager Rick Andrews says this weekend’s clash with Kirkley & Pakefield is one of the games he has most been looking forward to, writes Alex Moss.

The Old Gold and Blacks were beaten 2-0 when the two sides met at Walmer Road back in September, a result which left Stow down in 21st place in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division table.

A 14-match unbeaten league run then followed for Andrews’ side, who head into the reverse fixture at Greens Meadow today (3pm) looking to avenge their defeat to the Royals earlier this season.

“It’s one of the games I’ve been looking forward to,” the Stow boss said. “Most of all to get one over on them for last time, but it’s another home game and hopefully we can go and get the win which we are more than capable of getting.”

It was another dramatic finish at Greens Meadow last weekend as Stow scored twice in the final 15 minutes to rescue a point against Wroxham.

A Connor Ingram brace had given the Norfolk visitors a 2-0 lead, before goals from Leon Ottley-Gooch, his first since recently switching from Bury Town, and Josh Mayhew, his 31st of the season, ensured Stow avoided slipping to back-to-back home defeats for the first time since October 2015.

“We showed good character and let’s cut to the chase,” Andrews said. “12 months ago we were in the First Division and Wroxham were in the Bostik League.

“We’re sitting here disappointed to be drawing with Wroxham. We just need to cut out the silly mistakes at the other end and as a team we’ll be capable of going on to do good things.

“I’m very happy with how far we’ve come. Hopefully the fans, spectators and the board are happy we’ve how far we’ve come.

“We’ve got a brand new pitch, new changing rooms, new goals going up, it’s no longer a hard sell to get players to come here.”

Stow should welcome winger Ethan Clarke back into the squad this weekend, but Saturday’s game will be too soon for Remi Garrett (injured).