FOOTBALL: Stowmarket Town manager Steve Jay did Framlingham Town a big favour last weekend.

But he doesn’t plan to give the Kingsley Healthcare SIL club any assistance at Greens Meadow tomorrow.

Ridgeons League Stowmarket take on Framlingham in the second qualifying round of the FA Vase – and it’s a big day for the visitors as they are the first club to represent the SIL in this prestigious competition for over 20 years.

Jay worked with Framlingham manager Rob Allum for the final 10 games of last season, and he was happy to ‘loan’ out goalkeeper Chris Stacey to him last Saturday.

“I had three keepers available so was happy for Rob to borrow Chris,” explained Jay.

“Chris played and Framlingham beat leaders Old Newton 3-2.

“The keeper is back with us tomorrow and will be on the bench as cover for Kevin Bugg although he jokes that he’ll sit between the two dug-outs.”

Stowmarket lost their first league game of the season last weekend when they were beaten 2-0 at Saffron Walden in the Ridgeons League First Division.

Jay says that he will be looking for the right reaction tomorrow.

He went on: “It was bound to happen sooner or later, and in some ways it’s like a monkey being taken off our backs.

“We know that Framlingham have nothing to lose and that this tie is a potential banana skin for us, and we must ensure that there is no complacency.

“They will have their tails up after their win against Newton and they are a good club.

“If this job hadn’t come along I would probably still be at Badingham Road, but this was something that I could not turn down.”

Attendances have been up at Greens Meadow this season, and there is nothing like an advanced run in the Vase to attract new customers to a ground.

“This is the way that we see it,” added Jay. “We are pleased with how everything is going, and we know the importance from a financial point of view of winning matches in the FA competitions with the prize money at stake.”

In Framlingham’s absence, a near-full fixture list takes place in the Senior Division of the SIL.

New leaders Ransomes Sports will be looking to safeguard their lead when they visit third-placed Newton while equal top Woodbridge Athletic are away to new boys Stanton.

Fourth-placed Felixstowe United are the only club left with a 100% record, and this will be put to the test when they travel to East Bergholt.

At the foot of the table, Haughley and Westerfield United are still searching for their first points of the campaign with the latter having a home encounter with ‘neighbours’ Grundisburgh at Rushmere Sports Club.

Kingsley Healthcare SIL recent transfers: Sam Bartholomew (Grundisburgh to Ipswich Athletic), Nathan Brame (St Johns to Claydon), Michele Buglione (Shotley to Claydon), Caleb Ebanks (Stowupland Falcons to Crane Sports), Simon Elliston (Ipswich Exiles to Henley), Lee Leparvlo (Melton St Audry’s to Ipswich Athletic), James Maund (St Johns to Shotley), Colin Mayhew (Bacton to AFC Hoxne), Ricardo Phillips (Westerfield to Crane Sports).