SOCCER: Stowmarket 6 East Bergholt 1. Stowmarket gained their fourth successive pre-season victory against opposition managed by former player Ian Gedny.

SOCCER

STOWMARKET 6 EAST BERGHOLT 1

STOWMARKET gained their fourth successive pre-season victory against opposition managed by former player Ian Gedny.

Predictably Stowmarket made the early running but had to wait until almost the half-hour mark before opening the scoring when Mayes chipped the ball onto the head of Scoulding who headed into the Bergholt net.

The hosts doubled their lead when Ratcliffe set off on a run down the left flank before rolling the ball into the path of Roberts who did the rest with a close-range finish. The goal of the game arrived in the final minute of the half when Whatling cut in from the right flank and beat the Bergholt keeper with a left-footed effort into the top corner.

Stowmarket made changes in the break but this did not stem the flow of goals and within two minutes of the re-start substitute Barker had put the home side four goal to the good. Whatling completed Stowmarket's nap had finishing virtually on the goal line before a pin-point cross from Mayes ended with Roberts netting his second of the match with a downward header.

The visitors never gave up and gained a deserved consolation for their efforts when substitute Wilson beat Stow keeper Nunn from close range to conclude the scoring.

The new season begins in earnest for Stowmarket and Hadleigh United tomorrow when they meet at Millfield in the annual Hadleigh Charity Cup (kick-off 7.45pm).

The match has been a regular feature of the pre-season programme of both clubs since former Hadleigh manager Doug Wade took charge at Stowmarket more than a decade ago. Stowmarket had the better of things in the early years but the trophy has been shared for the last two seasons.

Last season it took an injury time equaliser by Roger Aldis to earn the visitors a share of the spoils after James Gaston had put Hadleigh ahead.

Tomorrow's match is sponsored by Hadleigh Carport and proceeds go to the Hadleigh branch of the St John Ambulance Brigade.

FOLLOWING the departure of Dale Threadkell to Leiston Town, Leiston St Margarets are looking to appoint a new manager for their first team who play in the Senior Division of the Meteltec SIL.

Please contact John Barker on 01728 724910 or 07775 563322.

BRAMFORD Road Old Boys, who play in the Metaltec SIL, urgently require a team manager for their reserve side who following promotion will play in Division Five.

If interested in joining the longest surviving junior club in Ipswich please contact Calvin Berry on 01473 411384 or Len Godbold on 01473 404531.

LEISTON'S leading scorer last season, Justyn Chenery, broke his leg in a pre-season friendly against Crane Sports.