SOCCER: Stowmarket Town go into tomorrow's home Jewson League Premier Division game against Maldon facing a £50,000 plus compensation claim from an opponent whose playing days were cut short by injury.

STOWMARKET Town go into tomorrow's home Jewson League Premier Division game against Maldon facing a £50,000 plus compensation claim from an opponent whose playing days were cut short by injury.

The Greens Meadow club have put the case into the hands of Suffolk FA, with manager Mel Aldis confident about the outcome.

Harwich and Parkeston midfield player Rob Newman broke his leg in several places playing against Stowmarket last March when the Shrimpers were in danger of relegation.

The Essex side won 2-0 with Newman – who was on crutches for three months and now finds it

difficult to jog – scoring the first goal at the time of his injury.

If Newman, 22, wins his case the London-based banker could pick up in the region of £10,000 to £15,000 damages, while his loss of potential earnings from a career in semi-professional football could amount to £50,000.

Newman's solicitor Tim Wixted must prove that the challenge on his client was 'reckless.'

Aldis said: "Mr Newman was injured while lunging at the ball as my defender went to clear. Mr Newman was brave to make the challenge, and it led to a vital goal. My player was attempting to clear the ball.

"It was 0-0 at the time and Harwich were desperate for the three points."

On a happier note, Stowmarket have lost just once in their last 11 games – away to Maldon where they were hit for six.

They have a chance of revenge tomorrow and will be boosted by a 5-2 victory at Diss last Saturday with ex-Diss players Stuart Jopling, Roger Aldis and Darren Scoulding among the goals. Scoulding is a doubt tomorrow with bruised toes.

A number of Stowmarket players have a big date on Sunday when they line up for Earl Soham Victoria against the Coach and Horses at Dersingham, north west Norfolk in the Carlsberg Pub Cup.

The winners will reach the last 16 of a competition where the final will be played at Anfield.

Jopling is now playing for a Victoria side that is managed by Aldis and he adds to the goal power of Ian Gedny and Paul Trinder.

Also in the Premier Division, Felixstowe and Walton United face a tough game at Lowestoft, while Ipswich Wanderers are at Harwich. Woodbridge are at home to Fakenham.

In the First Division, there will be a big local interest in the Whitton United versus Hadleigh United game, with Leiston away to bottom club March.

jewson league PREMIER DIVISION

Up to Saturday, January 19

P W D L F A Pts

AFC Sudbury 27 23 2 2 93 30 71

Lowestoft 27 17 5 5 70 32 56

Bury 28 14 6 8 50 30 48

Clacton 23 12 10 1 46 13 46

Stowmarket 26 13 6 7 51 42 45

Wroxham 19 14 2 3 53 21 44

Ely 28 13 3 12 47 46 42

Gorleston 26 11 8 7 48 43 41

Woodbridge 26 10 8 8 44 42 38

Maldon 27 11 5 11 56 56 38

Dereham 25 10 6 9 40 41 36

Fakenham 24 10 5 9 40 41 35

Tiptree Utd 26 9 7 10 33 40 34

Soham Rgrs 25 9 7 9 40 49 34

Diss 29 5 8 16 46 65 29

Mildenhall 25 7 4 14 35 49 25

Harwich &P 27 6 5 16 27 62 23

Ipswich Wdrs 24 6 4 14 30 37 22

Gt Yarmouth 22 5 5 12 17 35 20

Newmarket 25 3 10 12 39 63 19

Felix & Walt 26 4 7 15 26 55 19

Swaffham 25 3 4 18 24 63 13

FIRST DIVISION

P W D L F A Pts

Norwich Utd 21 16 3 2 53 12 51

Histon Res 20 14 2 4 53 18 44

Stanway Rvrs 23 13 5 5 53 24 44

Haverhill Rvrs 21 13 4 4 49 20 43

Leiston 19 12 3 4 41 19 39

Ndm Mkt 20 12 3 5 45 24 39

K/Lynn Res 22 10 7 5 53 31 37

Wisbech Res 19 11 3 5 39 26 36

Halstead 20 7 5 8 32 28 26

Somersham 20 6 7 7 21 28 25

Downham 24 7 4 13 39 55 25

Hadleigh Utd 20 7 3 10 29 43 24

Warboys 21 6 5 10 27 42 23

Camb Res 20 5 7 8 44 41 22

Whitton 21 6 4 11 24 43 22

Cornard 20 6 1 13 27 40 19

Thetford 21 5 4 12 20 52 19

Bright'sea 25 5 3 17 26 69 18

March Utd 21 0 3 18 25 85 3