WHITTON United manager Ronnie Mauge knows his side must tighten up at set-pieces if they are to press ahead towards the top six this season.The Ridgeons League First Division side have made a solid start to the campaign at King George V and are finding the net at regular intervals.

By Mike Bacon

WHITTON United manager Ronnie Mauge knows his side must tighten up at set-pieces if they are to press ahead towards the top six this season.

The Ridgeons League First Division side have made a solid start to the campaign at King George V and are finding the net at regular intervals.

However, an inability to cope from opponents' set-pieces is proving costly and the Greens have lost two of their last three league games 4-3.

“We can score plenty of goals and although defensively we are not playing badly, we are being caught out at free kicks and corners,” Mauge said.

“Stanway pulled us apart in the outfield but overall I have been pleased with my young bunch of players.”

Tomorrow, Whitton travel to Saffron Walden after losing 4-3 at home to Swaff-ham last weekend and 4-3 to Ely two weeks before that.

“We deser-ved a point against Swaff-ham, but in this league you need consistency and young players sometimes don't give you that.”

After today, Whitton entertain Stanway at home on Tuesday night. The Essex side are flying high at the moment, having only lost one of their first 11 league matches.

In other games in the First Division, there will be another Stowmarket reunion - this time at Debenham LC where the two sides clash.

Debenham manager Mel Aldis and assistant Trevor Wardlaw have long Stowmarket connections, while Dave Hubbick will be in charge of his first game after Colin Macrow resigned.

Felixstowe and Walton entertain leaders Walsham-le-Willows in what should be another entertaining clash.

Both Steve Potts and Paul Smith are showing up well in the managerial stakes, with Potts making a seamless move up from Grundisburgh, while Smith will be hoping his side can go one better than last season's fourth place finish.

Hadleigh picked up their first point in four games at home to Saffron Walden on Tuesday night and moved up two places in the league.

Tomorrow they face a tough test at Ely, who became the first side to defeat Stanway Rovers this season, with an exciting 3-2 win last weekend.

In the Premier Division, Needham Market's win at home to Leiston on Tuesday night, was their fourth in five league games and Mark Morsley's men are now serious contenders for AFC Sudbury's crown.

The two sides are programmed to meet twice in three weeks in the New Year, but for now it's Norwich United away for Needham tomorrow.

Ipswich Wanderers moved up to tenth after their win over hapless Clacton in midweek. They travel to Cambridge City Reserves tomorrow, while Woodbridge are at Diss.

In the Suffolk and Ipswich League, Achilles have taken over at the top after their hard-fought and controversial victory over Haughley last week.

However, just as Achilles knocked Grundisburgh off the summit, now Grundisburgh could get their revenge as the two clash at the Playing Field.

Framlingham surprised many with an excellent victory over East Bergholt last weekend to climb out of the relegation zone and tomorrow travel to Ransomes Sports.

East Bergholt can go top if they beat Felixstowe United and Grundisburgh and Achilles draw.