GRUNDISBURGH joint manager Kevin Cunningham today stressed that the race for the Metaltec SIL Senior Division still has a long way to run.The village side ended Crane Sports' unbeaten run with a 3-2 victory last weekend to gain revenge for being knocked out of the Suffolk Senior Cup by Robbie Beecroft's side.

Elvin King

GRUNDISBURGH joint manager Kevin Cunningham today stressed that the race for the Metaltec SIL Senior Division still has a long way to run.

The village side ended Crane Sports' unbeaten run with a 3-2 victory last weekend to gain revenge for being knocked out of the Suffolk Senior Cup by Robbie Beecroft's side.

The leaders play at Leiston St Margarets tomorrow, weather permitting, with Cunningham, who runs the side with Micky Squirrell, saying there is still a long way to go.

“It was a good victory for us, but there are still miles to go,” said Cunningham. Crane have improved greatly over the last 12 months while Woodbridge Athletic, Ransomes, who are on a great run under Peter Gorham, and Framlingham can trouble anyone.

“In fact, the SIL is much stronger now than it was when I first moved to Grundisburgh three years ago.”

Cunningham says that he would expect his side to beat teams from mid-table downwards in the Ridgeons League First Division and give the rest a game.

And he sees a big future for the SIL. “The recession will see more and more players opting out of travelling long distances to play,” he said. “And clubs will be stopped from paying silly money out to players.

“The young lad who has gone in to manage Melton St Audry's, Liam Manning, has signed some excellent players, and we have a number who used to play in the Ridgeons League.”

Experienced central defender Chris Howlett made his Grundisburgh debut last week, and others set to feature tomorrow with Ridgeons experience include Andy Crump, Steve Dearsley, Jamie Scales, Matty Ryland and Matty Cunningham.

And with Lee Grimwood and Darren Harper scoring goals up front and two 18-year-olds in Jay Churchyard and Luke Reid, Grundisburgh are well equipped to win the title they last won in 2007.

Crane are at home to St Johns at King George V Playing Field, Whitton with a reminder that league kick-off times in the SIL revert back to 2.30pm tomorrow.

Woodbridge Town, with Andy Lawrence in caretaker charge following the departure of Glenn Read, will be hoping to pocket some handy points at home to Haverhill in the Premier Division of the Ridgeons League.

Glen Driver's Felixstowe and Walton United travel to the Abbey Stadium, Cambridge to play CRC while Leiston need points at Wisbech to keep putting pressure on leaders Lowestoft.

In the First Division, there are a number of local home games with Brantham, Debenham Leisure Centre, Hadleigh United, Ipswich Wanderers and Stowmarket Town all in action at their home venues.