FULL marks to Woodbridge Town manager Dave Hubbick for spotting the potential of Andy Coote, the 20-year-old who has taken the Jewson League by storm.Coote, a former Stoke High School pupil, was last season playing at right wing-back for Metaltec SIL side Achilles.

By Elvin King

FULL marks to Woodbridge Town manager Dave Hubbick for spotting the potential of Andy Coote, the 20-year-old who has taken the Jewson League by storm.

Coote, a former Stoke High School pupil, was last season playing at right wing-back for Metaltec SIL side Achilles.

This term he has scored 15 times in 25 league and cup appearances and he notched both goals as Woodbridge beat Gorleston 2-1 at Notcutt's Park last Saturday.

"I watched Andy play and could see that he would make a good striker," said Hubbick. "With his pace he makes things happen.

"Andy is not the finished article yet and is still learning, but he has done very well. What he must look for now is consistency – to finish in the top half dozen Premier Division scorers on a regular basis."

Hubbick, who once scored a hat-trick for Wimbledon in the FA Cup and found the net at Wembley Stadium for Sudbury Town in their 1-1 FA Vase final draw with Tamworth in 1989, knows all about goalscoring.

He finished top of the Jewson League scoring chart with 32 goals while with Colchester United in 1985/86 and was a regular in the top six.

"Andy has recently had a bit of a lean spell but he is recovering from that now," said Hubbick. "He blends well with Ian Brown up front with the latter's experience with clubs like Birmingham City standing him in good stead.

"Ian is an experienced striker who does not get intimidated."

While Coote was impressing one and all against Gorleston, on the adjoining pitch at Notcutt's Park Achilles were beating Woodbridge Athletic 5-0 in the Senior Division of the SIL.

Included in the Achilles side was elder brother Craig, who is now 22 and has had trials with professional clubs.

But it is Andy who is catching the eye these days. He said: "It was a surprise when Woodbridge came in for me and a surprise when I was asked to play up front.

"It has also been a surprise to have scored so many goals.

"I played as a striker when I was younger but last season I played at right wing-back or right midfield for Achilles.

"I was happy with them and still have a lot of mates at the club being a Chantry boy. However, my move was for the best and I have to be pleased with how everything has gone."

Coote said his aim was to reach 25 goals this campaign and to go even higher next season.

"Fitness levels are different than in the SIL and I have been helped by playing in a good team with some fine players," he added.

"Ian Brown is interested in me and has helped a lot. Although his criticism has been constructive it has sometimes been hard to take.

"But it has all been for the good and having played at a high level Ian knows all about the game. I want to stay with Woodbridge and feel I can get much better. I have learned a lot over the last four months, but there is still plenty to work on.

"I need to cut out my number of bookings and learn more about getting the ball down and linking up with team mates, but it will come."

Mark Bailey played his 349th first team game for Woodbridge on Saturday and the man who has played in most positions including several matches in goal, is maturing with age.

He played as a central defender against Gorleston and hardly put a foot wrong.

Long-serving Woodbridge chairman Keith Dixon has been away from Notcutt's Park for a while, including a period in hospital. He is suffering problems with his legs but expects to be back at the club again soon.

His considerable presence is certainly missed and all local football followers will wish him a speedy return to full health.