CAPEL Plough missed out on winning the Metaltec SIL championship by two goals last season.They are at home to Senior Division newcomers St Johns tomorrow with player-manager Pat Tynan not unduly concerned about their slow start to this campaign.

Elvin King

CAPEL Plough missed out on winning the Metaltec SIL championship by two goals last season.

They are at home to Senior Division newcomers St Johns tomorrow with player-manager Pat Tynan not unduly concerned about their slow start to this campaign.

“We won our last eight games in 2007/08,” said Tynan. “And as we are notoriously slow starters as long as we drop no lower than we did last season I will be confident of finishing among the leaders again.”

A 7-0 victory over Westerfield in their final game would have been enough to see them pip Brantham Athletic for the title.

A 6-0 win would have seen them have a play-off with Tony Hall's side, who are now playing in the Ridgeons League.

“We won 5-0 and had a good-looking 'goal' disallowed in the final minutes,” continued Tynan. To have reached the Suffolk Senior Cup final before losing to Walsham-le-Willows after extra time in 2006 and to have gone so close in the league last term, it is a concern whether we can reach these heights again.

“We will be doing our best, starting with a win over St Johns tomorrow. But I know it will not be easy as promoted clubs always start off well.”

Tynan has a large squad this time around, but he refuses to budge from his policy of putting village players first.

“Around three quarters of my squad are from the village, and I have some talented boys,” added Tynan.

“So if I want to bring an 'outsider' in they have to be better than what I have got.”

Highly-skilled striker Ricky Thurlow has returned after being involved with Brantham pre-season while Kieron Donovan is back full time from university and striker Tony Cracknell has moved across from Stowmarket Town. Gary Pratt has signed from Debenham Leisure Centre.

“We took six points off Grundisburgh last season, and four off Melton St Audry's and three off Brantham,” said Tynan. “This showed our right to be in the top two and with winners helping me in Archie Arnold and Steve O'Leary I am sure we can move back up the table again this time. But it might be after Christmas before we find our best form - as usual.”

Woodbridge Athletic have started life in the top flight well, but will find Simon Fryatt's St Audry's tough opponents tomorrow while Grundisburgh are at home to Framlingham Town.

In the Ridgeons League, Needham Market are away to King's Lynn Reserves in the Premier Division, and Brantham at home to Godmanchester in Division One.