IT is top versus bottom in the Senior Division of the Metaltec SIL tomorrow and it would take a brave man to predict any points for Ransomes Sports when they take on Walsham-le-Willows at Sidegate Avenue, Ipswich.

By Elvin King

IT is top versus bottom in the Senior Division of the Metaltec SIL tomorrow and it would take a brave man to predict any points for Ransomes Sports when they take on Walsham-le-Willows at Sidegate Avenue, Ipswich.

The Ipswich-based club has lost every one of the seven league matches they have played this term. Walsham have won all seven of the games they have played.

The result looks a forgone conclusion even though Ransomes have a similar squad to the one that surprised last season's champions Grundisburgh mid-way through the 2000/01 campaign.

Ransomes chairman Alan McDougall said today that spirits were still high. He added: "We are sure we will turn the corner. We are concerned but not downhearted.

"There is no doubt that we have had a disappointing start to the season and that things can only get better.

"It will be a hard match against Walsham, a side who have beaten us every time we have met. They recently beat Grundisburgh, which is no mean feat even though the current champions do not appear to be firing on cylinders at the moment.

"We are surprised to be bottom of the table, and surprised to still be looking for our first points. We held our own last season and have kept basically the same squad."

Glenn Bradlaugh and Danny Barber are joint managers of the first team and they will be looking for a big improvement from their players tomorrow.

Key man Nicky Wilcox damaged a groin in the second game of this season and is still a week or two away from a return, while goalkeeper Ross Charters moved to Jewson League Felixstowe and Walton United and the influential Christian Appleford moved to fellow SIL club Ipswich Athletic.

Young Richard Swann has moved up from the reserves to replace Charters and has done well and he is expected to continue between the sticks tomorrow where he is set to come up against experienced front men like Paul Smith and Steve Miles.

Off the field, Ransomes benefited from the demise of British Sugar. Dave Knights, who was chief administrator at British Sugar, moved across town to take up the post of general manager at Sidegate Avenue.

"Dave has been a great plus," added McDougall. "He has proved an excellent capture."

A game well worth seeing – by those wishing to sample some fresh air rather than take to the armchair and cheer England on against Greece – will be at Grundisburgh where the third-from-top village side take on second-placed Ipswich Athletic.

Haughley look as though they could be in for a successful season, and they will be confident of gaining a home win over promoted Brantham.

The departure of Paul Skingley as East Bergholt manager at the end of last season has had an adverse affect on a side that was seriously chasing honours. With just two wins from eight matches they will be looking beat Bramford tomorrow and move up from their current fourth-from-bottom position.