DAVE Hubbick will be doing all he can to keep his emotions under control when his Stowmarket Town side takes on Grundisburgh in the final of the Touchline Sports Suffolk Senior Cup at Portman Road on Tuesday.

By Elvin King

DAVE Hubbick will be doing all he can to keep his emotions under control when his Stowmarket Town side takes on Grundisburgh in the final of the Touchline Sports Suffolk Senior Cup at Portman Road on Tuesday.

Hubbick, whose side plays at home to Fakenham Town in the First Division of the Ridgeons League tomorrow, was sent off during Tuesday's home draw with Saffron Walden.

Referee Mark Patterson said that Hubbick threw a punch at an opposing player and had no option than to send the former boxer known as 'Rocky' from the dug-out.

Hubbick said: “The referee gave a throw-in our way and one of their players was slow in releasing the ball.

“I went to grab it from him and as I did my arm swung out and the back of my hand caught him in the face.

“It is not something I should have done perhaps, but it looked worse than it was.”

Hubbick has already served one ban this season, and he attended a disciplinary hearing last night for a second offence.

Now he is likely to face further punishment, although any further touchline ban is unlikely to come into force until after Tuesday's showpiece match against Metaltec SIL leaders Grundisburgh.

A former Ipswich Town apprentice, Hubbick is relishing a return to Portman Road - and he is looking to add to his collection of medals.

He won the Suffolk Premier Cup as a player with Sudbury Town, as well as the Ridgeons League and Ridgeons League Cup, and he scored in the 1989 FA Vase final at Wembley Stadium.

He has won the Senior Cup as a player with Woodbridge Town, and is looking to follow Louis Newman and make it a player/manager double.

Newman scored the winning goal when Crane Sports beat Ipswich United 2-1 in 1983/84 and led Hadleigh United to victory three seasons ago when they beat Long Melford on penalties.

“It has been a hard slog for Stowmarket in recent seasons,” added Hubbick. “They suffered relegation for the first time and have seen a great deal of changes.

“Tuesday's game brings a little well-deserved joy - and it is a match we can win.

“Form goes out of the window in cup semi-finals and finals, and if my players perform to their best they are capable of winning the trophy.

“Grundisburgh have players who have the ability to play higher than the SIL, and full marks to them for being in line to win three trophies.

“But they might not win one!”

Hubbick admits to having one or two serious fitness niggles and no chances will be taken when the team is selected tomorrow.

Grundisburgh, leaders of the SIL, will be looking to strengthen their chances of winning the title with a win at Capel Plough.

Dave King, regarded as a legend at Greens Meadow because of his goal record for Stowmarket, is Grundisburgh coach and will be attempting to plot the downfall of his former club next week.