Football: DESPITE a struggling start to the season, Woodbridge Town manager Dave Hubbick looks ahead with confidence."We have enjoyed some fantastic times over the last six seasons.

By Elvin King

DESPITE a struggling start to the season, Woodbridge Town manager Dave Hubbick looks ahead with confidence.

"We have enjoyed some fantastic times over the last six seasons. And there is more to come," he said today.

Hubbick has been in charge at Notcutt's Park since 1997 and has consistently led the side to a top ten position in the Premier Division of the Jewson League and extended runs in the FA Vase.

A mass summer exodus of players – including three key defenders on the eve of the season – led to heavy home defeats against Bury Town and Wroxham. And even thoughts of relegation.

Former Ipswich Town and Wimbledon striker Hubbick has pulled things round and the last three league matches have seen two away draws and a good home victory over fancied Lowestoft Town.

He added: "I had no central defenders at the start of the season and I defy any club to achieve results in that situation. Three regulars went to Clacton, where they presumably think they can win something.

"You have to accept it when those sort of players leave. It is all part of the game. Circumstances change for players as well as clubs.

"I have brought in one or two fresh faces and our goal must be now to finish in the top half of the table. It is not a case of increasing numbers, but bringing in those who want to play for Woodbridge.

"It is a good club and I will keep strengthening. Relegation is not a threat in my opinion now that we have filled the central defensive positions.

"Things are starting to happen now that I have had time to re-build the squad."

Paul Ager, Ian Watson, and Colin King have been transfer to us while Darren Oxbrow and Shaun Curtis have started playing again.

Woodbridge's Vase hopes were dashed with a home defeat by Haverhill Rovers last Saturday when six players were not available. Hubbick is again short of his best line-up at Fakenham in the league tomorrow with young Adam Wilson continuing in goal for the injured Dean Garnham.

"It is taking time to get consistent team selections, but it will come," said Hubbick, who is pleased to have influential midfield youngster Steve Dearsley fit again after along lay-off.

Also in the Premier Division, Ipswich Wanderers play at home to ???????? at Humber Doucy Lane tonight. Marc Lowe has returned from Achilles and they will be boosted by their midweek FA Vase success at Concord Rangers.

Stowmarket Town are at home to Mildenhall keen to make up for their defeat at Tiptree on Tuesday and still smarting after their Vase exit last Saturday away to Greenacres.

In the First Division, Hadleigh United have no game following Brightlingsea's withdrawal from the league. Manager Louis Newman is to watch Kirkley play in the Anglian Combination. They are Hadleigh's opponents in the Suffolk Senior Cup on October 12.

Felixstowe and Walton United want to recapture their recent cup form when they entertain Somersham, while Whitton are at home to King's Lynn reserves, Leiston play host to Haverhill and Needham Market play Cambridge City reserves at Bloomfields.