Rick Andrews is under no illusions as to how tough Stowmarket Town’s clash with Brantham Athletic will be at Greens Meadow tomorrow afternoon (3pm), writes Alex Moss.
The Old Gold and Blacks will be hoping to return to action this weekend after a three-week enforced break without a game due to the weather.
Andrews’ side last played on February 24 when they beat relegation-threatened Ipswich Wanderers 3-0, and have since dropped a place to fourth in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division table.
Brantham, who are just one place behind in fifth, will be looking to avenge their 4-2 defeat to Stow in the reverse fixture in December, having been 2-1 up before three late goals helped the Old Gold and Blacks snatch all the points.
“That game was a strange one as I thought we played really well,” the Stow boss said. “We missed some early chances and then they scored a great free kick, which shows the quality of the players they’ve got.
“The second half we started off where we left off and again they scored somewhat against the run of play, but I thought we fully deserved the win.
“They’ve been up in the top six all season, and to me, it just tells me they’re a good side - a bit like us in transition, in terms of they’ve got a lot of new players.
“I think (Michael) Brothers and (Matt) Carmichael have had a great first year and have done extremely well. It won’t be an easy game by any stretch.
“We wouldn’t have played for three weeks so we just don’t know what we’re going to be like.
“On our day we know we’re capable of beating anyone in this league. We’ve just got to concentrate on ourselves and try and add as many points as we can.”
Today’s clash could see Andrews hand debuts to recent signings Payton Swatman and Harry Whayman, while Leon Ottley-Gooch and Anton Clarke are expected to miss out through injury.
Meanwhile, Stow were dealt a blow earlier this week with the news that midfielder Dave Cowley has left the club.
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