GRUNDISBURGH joint manager Kevin Cunningham insists that his team will always score goals.But he warns spectators not to expect a thriller at Portman Road tonight.

By Elvin King

GRUNDISBURGH joint manager Kevin Cunningham insists that his team will always score goals.

But he warns spectators not to expect a thriller at Portman Road tonight.

“There is so much at stake,” said Cunningham, who runs the Metaltec SIL leaders with Micky Squirrell.

“It will be all about winning and no one wants to go home having lost.

“Nerves come into it particularly when playing in such wonderful surroundings and we have to make sure that our players will not freeze on the night.

“We think we have a good chance of winning - and I am sure Stowmarket will feel the same.

“What we have got is players who know how to score a goal, and this will hopefully work in our favour.”

Cunningham said that Grundisburgh are set to play with a 4-4-2 formation, which means one of their trio of feared strikers in Julian Beaumont, Glen Driver and Lee Grimwood could start on the bench.

They have plenty of experience with Andy Southgate, Ian Watson, Neil King in their squad along with Beaumont, Driver and goalkeeper Mark Brightey.

No SIL side has won this coveted trophy since Grundisburgh beat Needham Market 3-1 in 2000, and the village side have a treble in their sights as they are also in the semi-finals of the SIL Omnico Cup.

Striker Matty Broom misses out through injury, but midfielder David Grimwood is back from university and is to be one of the substitutes.

“We have checked David's eligibility and he is okay,” said Cunningham.

“Win or lose we are going back to our clubhouse to celebrate after the match. It will taste much better with a win, but it will also be an achievement to have got this far if we lose.”

Grundisburgh have lost just twice this season, while Stowmarket have won just seven league games - and lost 14 times in the Ridgeons League.

Beating two top Ridgeons League sides in Haverhill and Debenham Leisure Centre on their way to Portman Road suggests that Grundisburgh will start favourites - despite playing in an inferior league.

When Grundisburgh beat Haverhill, the west Suffolk side had just played Aldershot in the FA Cup and were the lowest ranked club in the country to be one win away from the first round proper.

One casualty from the Grundisburgh bench tonight will be physio - and former manager and goalkeeper - Steve Fitch, who is on crutches having just undergone a knee operation.