Whitton United boss Paul Bugg is expecting one of the toughest games of the season as his side host free-scoring Fakenham Town in a top of the table clash in the Thurlow Nunn First Division.

Whitton, boasting the meanest defence in the division, currently sit four points clear of second-placed Fakenham, who top the goalscoring charts by a considerable distance.

“They’re a good side,” confessed Bugg.

“Whoever finishes above them will get promoted in my opinion.

“I said the same with Brightlingsea last season and look where they are now.

“I think we played them at a good time when we beat them 3-1 on the opening day of the season and this weekend will be completely different.”

Whitton enter the half-way stage of the 36-game season on top of the Thurlow Nunn First Division, in the semi-finals of the Suffolk Senior Cup and in the quarter-finals of the League Cup.

“I’m very happy with the way things have gone so far,” said Bugg.

“If someone had said to me you’ll be top of the league by the half-way mark and still in two big cup competitions, I definitely would’ve taken that – I think any manager would.

“As I’ve said before though, there’s an awfully long way to go and we’re just taking it one game at a time.”

Whitton have only lost one league game so far this season and have been in excellent form.

Bugg is certainly not getting carried away though and is keeping his squad’s excited feet firmly on the ground.

“Promotion is still our aim,” confirmed Bugg.

“Third place wins you promotion and that’s our aim.

“Yes, we’re on a great run in the league and we’re doing well in the cups but there’s time for the wheels to potentially come off with injuries, suspensions and what have you.

“Third place is what I set out for us to achieve and is still our target now.”

Bugg’s men progressed to the final four of the Suffolk Senior Cup last weekend with a 118th-minute winner from Elliott Crowe seeing off fellow Thurlow Nunn First Division outfit Haverhill Borough.

And the Greens, who finished as runners-up in the competition last season, are set to discover their semi-final fate later today.

“I’m not overly fussed who we are drawn against to be honest,” said Bugg.

“Ipswich Wanderers are the holders and in my eyes the favourites but Achilles and Grundisburgh are also two very good sides.

“At the end of the day, there are four good sides left and whoever gets to the final and wins it, deserves it.”

Looking ahead to this weekend’s opponents Fakenham, Bugg is very wary of the attacking threat the Norfolk side pose.

Fakenham have scored 60 league goals so far this season – 24 more goals than Whitton and lead the goalscoring charts by some distance.

“They’ve scored an astonishing amount of goals with two in-form strikers in Kyle Plumb and Robbie Harris,” said Bugg.

“I am slightly envious of all the goals they have scored but having said that I think I’d rather have our defensive record.”

The Greens have the best defensive record in the league this season, having conceded just 13 goals.

“We’ve been magnificent defensively,” he added.

“And the goals are starting to come as well with Crowe, Chris Williams and Tom Bradlaugh all contributing more, which is pleasing.”