SOCCER: Village side Dennington United are in good spirits for their 'cup final' against Senior Division big boys East Bergholt in the Metaltec SIL Omnico Cup fourth round tomorrow.

By Elvin King

VILLAGE side Dennington United are in good spirits for their 'cup final' against Senior Division big boys East Bergholt in the Metaltec SIL Omnico Cup fourth round tomorrow.

The Division Four club played at Ram Meadow, Bury St Edmunds, last Saturday and beat Bury Town's reserve team 3-1 in the fourth round of the Suffolk Primary Cup.

They have a 100 per cent record this term having won all nine league games, and have already beaten First Division Cockfield 4-3 in the Omnico Cup.

In the last round they beat Second Division Bacton 4-0, and on Wednesday picked up the trophy for the best SIL result in December.

No players were able to attend the presentation night at the Bourne Vale Social Club as compulsory training was ordered – for the first team with the Bergholt game in mind, and for the reserves as a penance for losing their last two games.

"Up to Christmas neither of our sides had tasted defeat," said secretary Nicholas Gardens today. "This season we have picked up one junior club of the month award and have been runners up twice, as well as

winning the best result for December.

"Hopefully we will be back at Bourne Vale again next month. We certainly do not underestimate Bergholt and they will start strong favourites.

"They have been scoring goals for fun recently. But we are in good spirits for what will be our cup final. Winning promotion is our main aim."

Dennington joined Division Eight of the SIL in 1969. In recent seasons they have bobbled between Divisions Three and Four and have never gone any higher.

Last season they were relegated along with Ufford Sports. Manager Andy Mayhew has been with the club for several years and a fair percentage of the first team are in the later stages of their football careers.

"We have four or five in the 38-40 age bracket," added Gardens, whose 16-year-old son Liam is one of the up-and-coming

players in the reserves.

Ricky Peacher travels from Norwich every week to play for a side that uses a pitch behind the village hall. They are supported by a few hardy souls.

"Training went well at Thomas Mills School in Framlingham on Wednesday and although Bergholt are clear favourites we are looking forward to a good game," added Gardens.

Senior Division leaders Walsham-le-Willows are now favourites to win the trophy although they face stiff opposition in Haughley United. After going out of the Suffolk Senior Cup last Saturday, Walsham will not want to suffer another cup loss so soon.

Second Division Whitton United (at Ipswich Athletic) and First Division Coplestonians (at Old Newton), Westerfield (at Brantham) and John Bull (at home to Stanton) have chances to stake a claim for the SIL result of the month award for January.