MELTON St Audry's go into tomorrow's Metaltec SIL Omnico Cup semi-final with favourites Grundisburgh in good heart.“We could not be better prepared,” said manager Simon Fryatt.

By Elvin King

MELTON St Audry's go into tomorrow's Metaltec SIL Omnico Cup semi-final with favourites Grundisburgh in good heart.

“We could not be better prepared,” said manager Simon Fryatt. “We know Grundisburgh are a good team, but we have a good record against them and will certainly not be in awe.”

Fryatt took his entire squad to Portman Road last week to watch SIL leaders Grundisburgh lose 2-1 to Stowmarket Town in the final of the Touchline Sports Suffolk Senior Cup.

“We used it as an exercise to prepare for tomorrow's match,” added Fryatt. “My old Woodbridge Town manager, Dace Hubbick, got his tactics right after the interval snuffing out the Grundisburgh wide players.

“Semi-finals are not always good games, but I have a feeling our match tomorrow is going to be a cracker.”

St Audry's have only lost twice since October and have targeted the Omnico Cup as a competition where they can win some senior silverware.

They have not won this coveted trophy, but Fryatt feels it could be the Saints' year.

“We have an average age of 24, yet we have plenty of experience and the lads, who all trained on Wednesday, are champing at the bit. We are in good shape and cannot wait to get playing.”

Central defender James Bradbrook is out with glandular fever and Joe Fairbrother has had a reaction to a broken leg he suffered last season, but otherwise Fryatt has a full squad.

Marty Dixon is his coach with Kurt Hedgeley his assistant.

Grundisburgh bounced back from their Senior Cup blow to beat Cockfield 4-0 in the league last Saturday - and joint managers Micky Squirrell and Kevin Cunningham will ensure their team is prepared right as they look to secure a league and cup double.

In the other semi-final, Crane Sports take on Westerfield United with the former favourites to reach the final of a competition they last won in 2005.

At the foot of the SIL Senior Division wins are vital tomorrow for Cockfield, Achilles and East Bergholt.