STOWMARKET Town hope to include three recent signings in their side for their Jewson League Premier Division game against Tiptree at Greens Meadow tomorrow.

By Elvin King

STOWMARKET Town hope to include three recent signings in their side for their Jewson League Premier Division game against Tiptree at Greens Meadow tomorrow.

Matthew Proctor, the former AFC Sudbury and Wroxham player, has been signed from Cornard while Slovakian defender Mathus Troscak made his debut in the Millennium Trophy 2-1 victory over Woodbridge Town on Wednesday.

Both are definite starters in tomorrow's squad while former Emley and Wisbech midfielder Stuart Knowles could join them.

He is on Maldon Town's books after moving to this part of the country and his transfer to Stowmarket may go through with the normal seven-day approach rule being waived.

But one player not moving to Stowmarket is Grundisburgh striker Martin Cotton.

"I asked about Martin as Grundisburgh are not doing so well this season, but the striker is not in a position to leave midway through the season," explained Stowmarket manager Mel Aldis.

"I understand Martin's reasons and good luck to him. We held the upper hand against AFC Sudbury for a long while last Saturday – but a 2-0 lead turned into a 3-2 defeat.

"This was because they had three substitutes they could bring on who had the talent to turn the game. With the greatest respect to my substitutes, I was not in the same boat.

"By making a few signings we will have more competition for places, which can only be a good thing."

Adie Whatling and Ollie Langham are added to the squad after missing the Sudbury defeat through unavailability and suspension respectively, but Mark Barnard will be missing because of a calf strain. Reserve defender Steven Nunn moves up.

"Tiptree are the type of visitors who we think we should beat at home," added Aldis, who has done neighbours Ipswich Wanderers a favour after their recent game was abandoned after 39 minutes when an assistant referee went lame.

Wanderers have been charged with a breach of league rules for refusing to carry on with a replacement, and the case is being heard by the Jewson League on Sunday.

After a request by Wanderers secretary Martin Head, Aldis has written to the hearing requesting that the match be re-staged.

Said Aldis: "I was furious at the time, but the last thing I want to do is to be responsible for Wanderers being relegated.

"I am not saying they will finish in the bottom two and it looks as though they won't, but I don't want them to go down because they lost the chance of collecting valuable points against us."

Aldis has asked for the game to be re-staged. The league has the power to do that – with Wanderers paying expenses – or letting the result stand – with Stowmarket taking the points as they led 1-0.

"It is too easy to make enemies in this game," added Aldis, who with a smile insisted that his team let a 3-1 Suffolk Premier Cup lead against Newmarket slip a couple of weeks ago.

"Our fans who were only served up 39 minutes action against Wanderers were given an extra 30 minutes against Newmarket," he quipped.

"We let Newmarket score twice in the last five minutes to pull back to 3-3. In extra time the move almost backfired as Newmarket went 4-3 up, but we hit back to win 5-4. And our loyal fans got their money's worth!"

Elsewhere in the Premier Division, Wanderers are at Lowestoft looking for a notable double, while Woodbridge, with Simon Gray now back in their ranks, are at home to Ely City.

Felixstowe and Walton United travel to Clacton to meet up with their former keeper Neil Stanbridge.

In the First Division, Hadleigh are at home to Thetford with Needham Market entertaining March.