Crane Sports manager Iain Radnor believes opposition teams treat their games against the league champions like ‘cup finals’.

Cranes, who have lifted the title for the past two seasons, look ominous again at the top of the table.

They have won all four of their league games thus far, scoring 21 goals, and have yet to concede.

East Bergholt are the latest team to test Radnor’s side’s resolve, today, when they travel to Greshams, and the Cranes boss said: “We are every teams’ cup final.

“We go into games expecting a cup final and expect teams to come at us because they want the big headlines in the paper on Monday.

“That makes for a massively competitive league and the SIL is a great place to be.”

Key to Cranes’ success this season has been their success in both boxes.

In attack, Ali Brett has scored seven goals in four games, while experienced stopper Ryan Bedingfield has been a rock as the team’s last line of defence.

“We carried on from where we left off last season,” he explained.

“Last season our success was built on the defensive side of the team. We weren’t the highest goalscorers, but we defended as a team – that doesn’t just mean the back four and the goalkeeper, we defend from the front.

“The Stanton game (2-0) was 100-miles-an-hour and we took our chances, while the Grundisburgh game was a bit of a mis-match and things seem to be tailing off for them which is a shame.

“The Ransomes game was very competitive for half-an-hour as it was (Senior) Division) champions versus (Division One champions), while Leiston will take points off sides this season.”

On Bedingfield, Radnor said: “I played with Ryan when he was just starting out at Brantham.

“He has played at a higher level but does not want to do the travelling that it involves anymore.

“It works out for him playing for Cranes and his family get to come along and watch him play.”

n Elsewhere today, Haughley host Leiston St Margarets, Ipswich Athletic entertain Coplestonians, Achilles go to Ransomes, Stanton travel to Wenhaston and Bramford visit Westerfield.

In Division One, Bacton United 89 host AFC Hoxne, Stowupland Falcons go to Claydon, Mendlesham entertain Ipswich Exiles, Old Newton are at home to AFC Kesgrave, Benhall St Mary travel to Trimley Athletic and Wickham Market welcome IVR.