WHITTON United manager Ian Brown says his team will be under no extra pressure as Suffolk Senior Cup holders when they begin their defence of the trophy tonight.

Whitton host fellow Ridgeons League Division One side Ipswich Wanderers in a local derby at the King George V ground as the 2011/12 competition gets under way.

The match is being played tonight, kick-off 7.45pm, as opposed to tomorrow afternoon, in an experimental move by Whitton, who won the cup thanks to a 1-0 victory against Lakenheath courtesy of a Kevin Inglis penalty at Portman Road last April.

Brown said: “I think whatever level you play at everyone is going to want to win. I know we want to win every game, or at least compete in every game, and I am sure other teams feel the same.

“Local pride will be at stake against Wanderers, and I am sure they will have their big guns out.

“We will have to play at our best to beat them. They score a lot of goals, although they also concede a few.”

Extra spice is added to tonight’s tie due to the fact that Brown had a season as assistant to Steve Buckle at Humber Doucy Lane prior to taking over the reins at Whitton in the summer of 2009.

“Steve is a nice guy - he is the most laid back man I have ever met, but when the Whitton job came calling I had to take it as I had coached the club at youth and reserve level.

“It has been a struggle at times in terms of the budget restrictions and what happened to the club at the end of last season.”

Indeed, despite finishing in the top three last season Whitton were denied promotion due to ground improvement work not being completed on time, but Brown said he is not thinking about playing in the Premier Division next season, even though Whitton are currently second and undefeated in nine league games.

“The word promotion is not on our agenda. At the end of the season the table will tell you how well we have done, whether we are first or 16th, the league table doesn’t lie, although injuries and suspensions sometimes have a bearing on where you finish.

“If we play to our potential we can give most teams a game at this level, but I am still learning as a manager and the players are still learning. It is all about the progression we are making as a club.”