GOALS from Dwayne Edwards and Gavin Crane moved Felixstowe and Walton United a big step nearer promotion from the First Division of the Ridgeons League.

By Elvin King

GOALS from Dwayne Edwards and Gavin Crane moved Felixstowe and Walton United a big step nearer promotion from the First Division of the Ridgeons League.

And manager Steve Potts confirmed his intention to stay with the Seasiders and continue to mastermind their revival.

After years in the doldrums, Felixstowe have made rapid strides since Potts took over last summer, and this win takes them to within one point of second-placed Tiptree - seven points behind leaders Stanway.

With three teams going up to the Premier Division - and Felixstowe on a roll with just one defeat in their last 13 league matches - Potts' side are on course for a memorable season.

The former Grundisburgh boss said: “I set myself two years to get Felixstowe up and I see no reason why I should not be here next season as long as the club's ambitions match my own.

“I am sure they will as there are committed people running the club.

“We still have eight games to play and nothing is being taken for granted. I shall keep everybody's feet on the ground, but we are playing very well.

“Tiptree had the best of the opening stages, but after that we dominated and could have scored four or five.”

Indications from the league are that the 100-yard walk from dressing rooms to pitch will not bar Felixstowe from promotion as long as they complete one or two jobs around their Dellwood Avenue ground.

Tiptree, who had Jimmy Greaves' grandson James Robinson as their main danger, are the division's leading scorers with 109 goals, and their latest was a 25-yard cracker from Emerson in the fifth minute.

Eight minutes later Edwards equalised when he headed home at the far post from a free-kick from Frost.

Wootten then made an excellent save from Frost before the home side took a 48th minute following a poor pass from Murfet.

Pemberton galloped down the right, and although Emerson cleared an initial effort from Crane, the home forward placed the rebound into the net for his 20th goal this season.

Felixstowe's fast forwards caused danger when they broke, but Robinson looked as though he was fouled in the penalty area. Paul Cudworth had to save with his feet from the Tiptree number ten in stoppage time.

In a game of many bookings, Phillips was sent off for a second bookable offence in the seventh of the eight minutes added on.

Felixstowe and Walton United: Cudworth, Peachey, Drury, Frost, Simmons, Andrews, Pemberton, J Buckle, Phillips, Crane (subs Snell 88 mins), Edwards. Subs: Morgan, Spencer, Glencastle, S Buckle.

Tiptree Utd: Wootten, Rochester (Collier 80), Murfet, Emerson, Leeke, Streetley (Manning 70), Bryan, Mackey, Hill, Robinson, Emery (Watson 59). Subs: Wood, Martin.

Referee: Mr N Cooper (Thorpe-le-Soken).

Attendance: 110.